1712 replies to this topic

[Wirra]

A few days ago, the 15th July, marked 50 years since the last Warwick Farm open meeting.

 

That meeting was also the first race in my home-built Wirra. The components were produced as ‘foreign orders’ at Hawker de Havilland, formally a Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) facility. Fellow motorsport-orientated employees, Alan Barrow, Paul Bernasconi and Stan Pobjoy provided support.

 

My good friend Neil Willox, and I, built it in mum’s shed. The name came from Wirraway (Aboriginal for 'Challenge'), an aircraft built by CAC. I sold it after 12 months and purchased my first Elfin. The Wirra was last heard of in the 90s as possibly a rotary powered hillclimb car, somewhere in the Northern Tablelands.

Together with our long-suffering wives, Neil and I dined at the Warwick Farm Racecourse Restaurant in the evening, downing some Wirra Wirra wine to celebrate the anniversary - good times and good friends.

 

WF photo: Lance J Ruting

 

 

 

 

Edited by Wirra, 18 July 2023 - 01:51.

[Ray Bell]

Fifty years!

 

How I remember that meeting, though it was not one of the best ever seen there. But I remember it for the presence of Karen McPherson, there to race her Torana.

 

I met her just the once... she showed me her engagement ring, I asked her how she liked the circuit, but she really didn't care.

"I just came here to come between them," she told me. "So when are you and Peter getting married?" I asked. "We're not, I just wanted the ring."

The Michelle Downs thing happened very quickly soon afterwards...

 

Not intending to derail your thoughts or water down your wine, Peter, but that is the thing I recall about that race meeting. Your effort was not to be sneezed at, a first-time-out result of tenth place, a best lap of 1:51.9, Denis Riley had the win with a best of 1:45.9, but he'd been going very quick for a while and was by now into his Rennmax. You finished in a pack of about five cars with nothing at all between you, it was probably a bit daunting to you as you crossed the line in the middle of this pack. And John Smith was among them in his Nota with a best lap of 1:53.4.

 

A nice thing for you to celebrate...

[Wirra]

Ray. There are a few memories of that meeting.

 

After attending almost every meeting for 10+ years I was amazed how little I actually knew of the track. Apart from knowing the next corner was a left or right I didn't understand braking points, radius, etc. I was 23rd in practice.
 

When the Starter flinched I dropped the clutch - a technique I'd practiced at the lights on Parramatta Rd for many years. I passed the row in front before they'd moved and was up alongside the next row as they got moving. I thought I'd missed a false start flag, or something, and had made a goose of myself so I backed off, that resulted in me being repassed. I pressed on, slipstreaming down Hume Straight and pulling out to outbrake a car on just about every lap. It was all rather gentlemanly - no Verstappen weaving!

 

I still tell anyone that will listen, that I beat John Smith!

 

Bitter disappointment that Geoff Sykes refused to sign any provisional licences - he claimed no cars slowed sufficiently when a car crashed on The Causeway. It meant I didn't have a full licence to race at Bathurst - my only ever opportunity. Smithy had a last minute run at Hume Weir or Winton to have his full licence in time.
 

Plenty of highs and lows followed. I still find it amazing how communication technology is allowing us to share and reminisce of those days.

 

Could you email the info you have on those lap times? I couldn't find them on the Braithwaite site. Thanks.

Edited by Wirra, 18 July 2023 - 03:50.

[Ray Bell]

If you could e.mail me the list of drivers in the race I'll look them up and send them back to you...

 

Drivers I know were in the race:

 

Winner - Denis Riley, 1:45.9

Second - Colin Merz, 1:45.7

Third - Laurie Campfield, 1:48.3

Fourth - David Groves, 1:48.5

Fifth - J. Hook, 1:47.9

Geoff Stone, 1:48.2; D. Dunsmore, 1:47.8; A. Conolly, 1:51.8; K. Calderbank, 1:58.9; J. Thorn, 1:48.9; Graham Engel, 1:47.9; Peter Williamson, 1:50.8; John Smith, 1:53.4; Ralph Schofield, 1:51.5;  G. Harper, 1:53.2; G. Shortland, 1:55.5.

 

I think that's all the drivers mentioned in the RCN report, any others you want I'll check up on them.

[Jacer]

Been a while since I've been on here but thought I'd update the Wirra info. As Peter (Wirra) knows THE Wirra above has resurfaced and has been purchased by my brother Jason. In 1995 it was purchased as a vee and converted to a hill climb car running a supercharged 4AG Toyota engine along with wings and slicks. The plan is to eventually bring it back to it's Vee form and eventually race in historics

 

The car itself basically has had amnesia in that the guy who purchased it in 1995 did so without a log book and had no idea of any of it's previous life so there is a bit of a mystery to be solved.

 

I did have a continuation log book for the car, I think it was it's second log book but the question I'm throwing out here is does anyone  know  of a guy from Inverell in the early to mid 90's who had a vee? Inverell is where it was purchased from in 1995 still operating as a Vee then. I sold it in 1984 but would be interested finding out what it go up to in the following 11 years

Edited by Jacer, 19 May 2024 - 02:49.

[Ray Bell]

At Wakefield Park this past weekend there was a big Vee get-together incorporated in the re-opening programme...

 

I understand that 65 Vees turned out and I'm guessing it was close to being a celebration of 60 years of Vees in Australia. I'm also told that one of the old-time constructors was there on Sunday in a wheelchair - Frank Kleinig Jr most likely. 

 

Can anyone fill in the gaps?

[brucemoxon]

Over 60 entries of modern and historic Vees, with races for 1600s, 1200s and a regularity field. 

While I was busy and didn't get to the dinner, nor to the paddock as much as I'd have liked, there were indeed lots of the old faces on hand. 

 

 

 

BRM

[Ray Bell]

Was it Frank Kleinig Jr in the wheelchair, Bruce?

[brucemoxon]

Was it Frank Kleinig Jr in the wheelchair, Bruce?

I'm not sure, Ray. John Fab was using a wheelchair, though. 

BRM

[Jacer]

At Wakefield Park this past weekend there was a big Vee get-together incorporated in the re-opening programme...

 

I understand that 65 Vees turned out and I'm guessing it was close to being a celebration of 60 years of Vees in Australia. I'm also told that one of the old-time constructors was there on Sunday in a wheelchair - Frank Kleinig Jr most likely. 

 

Can anyone fill in the gaps?

The HSRCA held a celebration for 60 years of Formula Vee on that weekend with cars and drivers coming from Qld, NSW and Vic for the event. Drivers like Doug Angus drove in the 1200 race, we also had Elfin 500 chassis 1 driven by Harold Roberts and Elfin NG chassis 1 driven by Max Bonney competing. The field also had drivers with a combined total of 17 National Challenge wins between them. There were separate races for 1600 vee, races for 1200 current and historic vee and events for regularity. There was also an out lap to grid with a grid photo taken at then end of Saturday's racing. 

 

Frank didnt feel up to  it but sons Daniel and Peter were there on the Sunday. Yes john Fab was there in the chair, he was going to miss it, a great effort to be there.

 

Results from the event are on Natsoft, 

 

The event was well received by those who attended and gained praise from the HSRCA. There were photographers there, hopefully someone knows some links

 

DC

Edited by Jacer, 06 April 2025 - 01:02.

[LouiseRoy]

Hi everyone, I have been looking for my Nimbus Vee for years. It was owned by Bob Sanderson before me. Last year I was contacted by the current owner, who is restoring it in Melbourne. Very happy to know it's still around. 

[LouiseRoy]

People may like to know that John Fab passed away yesterday, 8th April 2025. 

[Catalina Park]

Sad news, thanks for letting us know.