Hi!
There must have been an intense rivalry
between these two drivers in the 1972/1973
Tasman Cups according to the magazine reports. Does anyone remember their duels?
Who attended the 1973 Sandown race?
Who owns the McRae GM1-001 (1972 Tasman Cup
winner) now?
Graham McRae/Frank Matich
Started by
island
, Apr 04 2000 22:05
33 replies to this topic
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#2
AUSTRIA
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- 73 posts
- Joined: January 00
Member
Posted 04 April 2000 - 22:16
What a question, island ...
As junior member maybe you don't know this our Ray Bell, who soon will reply to your question ;)
As junior member maybe you don't know this our Ray Bell, who soon will reply to your question ;)
#3
Ray Bell
-
- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 04 April 2000 - 22:22
There was. But I suspect that McRae saw Matich as the man to be conquered, while Matich saw McRae as just another competitor - albeit one with a big mouth. Hence the nickname, Cassius. Frank's mouth was large sometimes, too, but he was not so regularly outspoken. Probably the intensity of their rivalry was in that Matich had tried for so long to win the Tasman series and McRae loped in and nailed three in a row while Frank never got one.
The answer to the question of superiority was given at the final Warwick Farm International meeting in 1973, when Matich, after starting from the third row of the grid, caught McRae (who had started from the front row) and went around the outside of him in Paddock Bend. It was pouring with rain and that was simply a move borne of great dominance.
As to who was at Sandown in '73, well, I don't think I made that one, I think I went to Surfers and the Farm only. Barry was probably there.
The most curious thing about McRae and racing in Australia was that he contested three AGPs, won them all, and they were all at Sandown.
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
The answer to the question of superiority was given at the final Warwick Farm International meeting in 1973, when Matich, after starting from the third row of the grid, caught McRae (who had started from the front row) and went around the outside of him in Paddock Bend. It was pouring with rain and that was simply a move borne of great dominance.
As to who was at Sandown in '73, well, I don't think I made that one, I think I went to Surfers and the Farm only. Barry was probably there.
The most curious thing about McRae and racing in Australia was that he contested three AGPs, won them all, and they were all at Sandown.
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
#4
Ray Bell
-
- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 04 April 2000 - 22:30
I was actually writing my reply while you posted, AUSTRIA. Took a while because I had to get out my Racing Car News and check the Sandown to see if I was there.
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
#5
Don Capps
-
- 5,933 posts
- Joined: May 99
Member
Posted 05 April 2000 - 09:47
Ah, 'Cassius' McRae... I just stumbed across dear ol' Cassius tonight as I was doing research for an article I putting together. His nickname was well-earned!
I remember meeting him and being fascinated how easily he lived up to his name!
------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,
Don Capps
Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…
I remember meeting him and being fascinated how easily he lived up to his name!
------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,
Don Capps
Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…
#6
island
-
- 289 posts
- Joined: April 00
Member
Posted 05 April 2000 - 20:20
Hi Don!
What is the subject of your story and where
will it be published?
Ray, do you remember the McRae/Walker battle
at Warwick Farm in 1973? Walker`s performance
must have been a surprise, I believe.
Did you see their last lap incident?
What is the subject of your story and where
will it be published?
Ray, do you remember the McRae/Walker battle
at Warwick Farm in 1973? Walker`s performance
must have been a surprise, I believe.
Did you see their last lap incident?
#7
Ray Bell
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- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 05 April 2000 - 20:40
On the second last lap I saw Walker slide wide on the Northern Crossing, which was just what McRae needed to get close to him on that final tour. No, I wasn't in a position to see them both go off at Creek Corner after McRae made the inevitable suicide dive under brakes. It was Max Stewart who was crankiest at all of this, for he had dropped off their pace and been lapped by Thompson, so couldn't get the extra two positions the errant ones were to score when they rejoined the bitumen.
Man, even in pouring rain, walking about in mud nearly knee deep, The Farm was a great place!
And didn't we all enjoy not having to worry about joining all that heavy traffic after the meetings, Barry, as we all got involved in post-race discussions late into the night?
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
Man, even in pouring rain, walking about in mud nearly knee deep, The Farm was a great place!
And didn't we all enjoy not having to worry about joining all that heavy traffic after the meetings, Barry, as we all got involved in post-race discussions late into the night?
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
#8
Huw Jenjin
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- 427 posts
- Joined: June 99
Member
Posted 05 April 2000 - 21:04
Graham McRae was one of those geniuses that was so close to the edge that...........
I met him a couple of years ago, a real lonely feller I reckon, and on hard times.
nutty as a fruit cake as well. I believe that the "Cassius" bit went a bit too far, and he has been a guest of HMQ.
Sad. I remember those cars he built. One ended up in the hands of Roy Lane and won the british hillclimb championship numerous times. Another was driven by a chap called Dexter Dunlop, but was destroyed in a fire while on a trailer.
three (two GM1s)at a recent meeting in NZ. They must be multiplying or perhaps never did get destroyed.......
There were some great battles in the UK with the big bangers... McRae,Ganley,Hailwood, Gardner.What a shame they cant reinvent F5000.Look good alongside the Aussy Touring Cars.
I met him a couple of years ago, a real lonely feller I reckon, and on hard times.
nutty as a fruit cake as well. I believe that the "Cassius" bit went a bit too far, and he has been a guest of HMQ.
Sad. I remember those cars he built. One ended up in the hands of Roy Lane and won the british hillclimb championship numerous times. Another was driven by a chap called Dexter Dunlop, but was destroyed in a fire while on a trailer.
three (two GM1s)at a recent meeting in NZ. They must be multiplying or perhaps never did get destroyed.......
There were some great battles in the UK with the big bangers... McRae,Ganley,Hailwood, Gardner.What a shame they cant reinvent F5000.Look good alongside the Aussy Touring Cars.
#9
Ray Bell
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- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 05 April 2000 - 21:13
Just imagine how they would go today! A more modern chassis, engines straight from the aforementioned tourers (150-175 more bhp than they used to have, and more reliable), they'd still be great cars.
As you say, they'd beat the tourers any day!
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
As you say, they'd beat the tourers any day!
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
#10
Barry Lake
-
- 2,169 posts
- Joined: February 00
Member
Posted 06 April 2000 - 17:27
Huw
Do you know where to find Graham McRae?
I wouldn't mind catching up with him again.
Do you know where to find Graham McRae?
I wouldn't mind catching up with him again.
#11
Ray Bell
-
- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 06 April 2000 - 07:28
Barry - what of the conventional channels - Crown Lynn and Thomson Motor Auctions, isn't that Lee Seaton's haunt?
Did you ever see the poem about the day they nearly had a blue (Lee and Graham) with Larry and John Smith? Come to think of it, I might post that...
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
Did you ever see the poem about the day they nearly had a blue (Lee and Graham) with Larry and John Smith? Come to think of it, I might post that...
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
#12
Ray Bell
-
- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 07 April 2000 - 05:50
For those who came in late (well, Lee Falk just died recently), this is in the period just after Larry Perkins had returned to Australia from his European F3 title and other exploits (inc some F1). John Smith is a local that should have gone there too, Paul England an engine builder and car owner, Lee Seaton was McRae's sponsor, Russell and John Lanyon were movers and shakers in the F5000 days, but really just nobodies, Hoot Gibson was a local identity, then in his seventies, who began racing in the 1920s, Winton is the circuit near Benalla, Rose City is a festival at Benalla in Victoria, upon which hinged the running of this annual race. Davo is Jon Davison, son of the late Lex Davison, 4-times AGP winner and known for his outspoken ways. You'll have to pick up the rest for yourselves... I wrote this just after the race, lost it for 18 years, then added the last two verses...
WINTON, 1979 – a true story told in verse.
"Now listen here, John," said Larry, forlorn
that he couldn't leap in for his cause
at the sideshow at Winton, the politics borne
of the confronting of cars of two laws.
It would grow in excitement as the weekend progressed,
and the fur it would surely fly thickly,
as the fives and Atlantic men put to the test
their aims, which I'll tell you of quickly.
It was "Rose City" time at that place in the South,
where the bitumen winds around tightest,
and the thundering roar of the Chevys was loath
to give in to the Ralt, which was lightest.
Paul England was there, in his best stirring mood,
But his Chevron was giving him trouble.
Bespectacled Larry, though, hurled all this brood
as usual, as if on the double.
Jon Davo moved in with the new A F One crowd,
determined to make his own mark.
(Not hard for him, as his talking is loud -
a dog he don't need for its bark!)
Signs were put up to show all that came
the pit spots for all the top cars -
with the best spots reserved for the five thousands lame.
Then Paul said: "Let's fix this farce!"
He'd been camped there all week, in a spot that was marked
for a Lola equipped with an eight,
next to Graham McRae, who became very narked,
As also was Seaton, his mate.
For a musical sign game had Paul England played,
including Smith's Ralt just for fun.
John was given the spot Graham's sign was displayed,
Right up alongside the Chevron.
An argument flared up, it needn't be said,
between Graham and John (still recalling
that rash moves at Repco had near left him dead,
at Sandown, where fives were all falling.)
"TOO OLD," was the cry that came from Smith spry,
we could see that the Kiwi was shattered,
then Lee Seaton jumped in, fists ready to fly,
it was young John who almost was splattered!
The "Cowangie Kid" had to break up the fight,
at great risk to his sole pair of glasses;
So obvious was Mister England's delight
that he came out unmarked from these passes.
The next step, of course, was Larry's retort
when told that officials would fine him -
for having no licence, ("never been bought")
Of a frame-up it was much reminding.
Russell Lanyon said: "Yes, I'll give you a note
to tell them that CAMS got your dollars."
But later on - "No!" was the message he wrote -
the working out doesn't need scholars.
For big brother John (and his mates with the big cars),
had made Russell retreat from his pact -
go back on his word for these childish beggars -
it was such a despicable act!
Larry stood for his rights, his feet planted firmly,
and insisted his money would stay.
"I don't care," he said, "how you wriggle your wormy
way out of this mess, I won't pay!"
And so they relented, as Larry kept shouting
"This just doesn't happen in Britain!"
The compromise called for an end to this doubting,
by which deal he wasn't so smitten.
Then on into the night time, when the Mayor failed to show,
and so left them alone, to themselves,
so by the end of the evening (with shouting from Davo),
they near woke up all Hoot Gibson's elves.
Then, putting an end to the chaos he'd started,
Jon calmed them all down in the dark.
"We'll display our wares well," he now imparted,
"For our dough!" was his final remark.
The parade went like clockwork, impressing the throng
lining the streets to observe.
An outward appearance of a formula strong -
nobody showing their sore nerve.
And the race, yes the race, like fury and fast,
Thrilling the crowd and the viewers.
John Bowe led from Alfie, but it couldn't last,
Smith next in the Ralt so much newer.
It astounded the crowd that a car of that size
could press hard on Alfie - their hero -
but push him it did, while Bowe looked so wise,
and spun back to fourth - almost zero.
Back in the field Paul Hamilton lay
ninth in an Elfin so aged,
Until Butcher came up to a lapping game play
and chose the wrong side, it is wagered.
The Lola was out as it speared off the track,
the argument later was friendly.
Rob then was more certain of how he should act
when waved through on roads that are bendy.
Smith got beside Alfie, a few times at least
and set fastest lap in the trying,
but the power of the Chev, oh, such a beast
left him each time, almost crying.
So the win was Costanzo's, again out in front,
with the little cars filling three places
before Bowe came along, now bearing the brunt
for the damage he'd done for no aces.
As Hamilton finished (it is quietly said),
Smith's crew gave him great accolades,
'xcept the car he had tangled was the wrong Lola, red,
still left in the Winton grass blades.
But it still wasn't over, or not at least
till conspiracies 'mong all the CAMS men
had worn out their spirits and had all their feast
at the cost of the little-car men.
"Let's pull the thing down, and make sure it's right,"
said Russell Lanyon at last.
But despite all the sweat, Larry reached a new height,
and he gave him o-o-oh such a blast.
"Now show me your name in this programme I hold,
in the scrutineer's list just for preference!"
But his name wasn't there, so Russell was told:
"Get out, or I'll show you the difference!"
The programme did name, among others, Mick Ronke -
"Sec. of the Meeting," it said,
But still unimpressed, Larry was cranky.
"There's not a 'scrute's' tag on his head!"
The poor scrutineer, under orders rebounding
seemed to favour young Larrikin's tones.
But in the end, Perkins notwithstanding,
he pulled the cars down to their bones.
They were legal of course, and who would doubt that,
so's the action that Paul England's taking
Against Davo, but then, we'll not mention that,
for sub-judice laws we'd be breaking.
Now years have gone by, most forget this weekend
Even Larry, who drove Elfins later -
And the argument's over, for others contend
new issues o'er tintops and "data."
The Gold Star limps on in the shadow of tourers
costing millions to put on the track.
Oh, for the days of the open-wheeled furores,
Days that - sadly - we'll never get back.
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-06-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-07-2000).]
WINTON, 1979 – a true story told in verse.
"Now listen here, John," said Larry, forlorn
that he couldn't leap in for his cause
at the sideshow at Winton, the politics borne
of the confronting of cars of two laws.
It would grow in excitement as the weekend progressed,
and the fur it would surely fly thickly,
as the fives and Atlantic men put to the test
their aims, which I'll tell you of quickly.
It was "Rose City" time at that place in the South,
where the bitumen winds around tightest,
and the thundering roar of the Chevys was loath
to give in to the Ralt, which was lightest.
Paul England was there, in his best stirring mood,
But his Chevron was giving him trouble.
Bespectacled Larry, though, hurled all this brood
as usual, as if on the double.
Jon Davo moved in with the new A F One crowd,
determined to make his own mark.
(Not hard for him, as his talking is loud -
a dog he don't need for its bark!)
Signs were put up to show all that came
the pit spots for all the top cars -
with the best spots reserved for the five thousands lame.
Then Paul said: "Let's fix this farce!"
He'd been camped there all week, in a spot that was marked
for a Lola equipped with an eight,
next to Graham McRae, who became very narked,
As also was Seaton, his mate.
For a musical sign game had Paul England played,
including Smith's Ralt just for fun.
John was given the spot Graham's sign was displayed,
Right up alongside the Chevron.
An argument flared up, it needn't be said,
between Graham and John (still recalling
that rash moves at Repco had near left him dead,
at Sandown, where fives were all falling.)
"TOO OLD," was the cry that came from Smith spry,
we could see that the Kiwi was shattered,
then Lee Seaton jumped in, fists ready to fly,
it was young John who almost was splattered!
The "Cowangie Kid" had to break up the fight,
at great risk to his sole pair of glasses;
So obvious was Mister England's delight
that he came out unmarked from these passes.
The next step, of course, was Larry's retort
when told that officials would fine him -
for having no licence, ("never been bought")
Of a frame-up it was much reminding.
Russell Lanyon said: "Yes, I'll give you a note
to tell them that CAMS got your dollars."
But later on - "No!" was the message he wrote -
the working out doesn't need scholars.
For big brother John (and his mates with the big cars),
had made Russell retreat from his pact -
go back on his word for these childish beggars -
it was such a despicable act!
Larry stood for his rights, his feet planted firmly,
and insisted his money would stay.
"I don't care," he said, "how you wriggle your wormy
way out of this mess, I won't pay!"
And so they relented, as Larry kept shouting
"This just doesn't happen in Britain!"
The compromise called for an end to this doubting,
by which deal he wasn't so smitten.
Then on into the night time, when the Mayor failed to show,
and so left them alone, to themselves,
so by the end of the evening (with shouting from Davo),
they near woke up all Hoot Gibson's elves.
Then, putting an end to the chaos he'd started,
Jon calmed them all down in the dark.
"We'll display our wares well," he now imparted,
"For our dough!" was his final remark.
The parade went like clockwork, impressing the throng
lining the streets to observe.
An outward appearance of a formula strong -
nobody showing their sore nerve.
And the race, yes the race, like fury and fast,
Thrilling the crowd and the viewers.
John Bowe led from Alfie, but it couldn't last,
Smith next in the Ralt so much newer.
It astounded the crowd that a car of that size
could press hard on Alfie - their hero -
but push him it did, while Bowe looked so wise,
and spun back to fourth - almost zero.
Back in the field Paul Hamilton lay
ninth in an Elfin so aged,
Until Butcher came up to a lapping game play
and chose the wrong side, it is wagered.
The Lola was out as it speared off the track,
the argument later was friendly.
Rob then was more certain of how he should act
when waved through on roads that are bendy.
Smith got beside Alfie, a few times at least
and set fastest lap in the trying,
but the power of the Chev, oh, such a beast
left him each time, almost crying.
So the win was Costanzo's, again out in front,
with the little cars filling three places
before Bowe came along, now bearing the brunt
for the damage he'd done for no aces.
As Hamilton finished (it is quietly said),
Smith's crew gave him great accolades,
'xcept the car he had tangled was the wrong Lola, red,
still left in the Winton grass blades.
But it still wasn't over, or not at least
till conspiracies 'mong all the CAMS men
had worn out their spirits and had all their feast
at the cost of the little-car men.
"Let's pull the thing down, and make sure it's right,"
said Russell Lanyon at last.
But despite all the sweat, Larry reached a new height,
and he gave him o-o-oh such a blast.
"Now show me your name in this programme I hold,
in the scrutineer's list just for preference!"
But his name wasn't there, so Russell was told:
"Get out, or I'll show you the difference!"
The programme did name, among others, Mick Ronke -
"Sec. of the Meeting," it said,
But still unimpressed, Larry was cranky.
"There's not a 'scrute's' tag on his head!"
The poor scrutineer, under orders rebounding
seemed to favour young Larrikin's tones.
But in the end, Perkins notwithstanding,
he pulled the cars down to their bones.
They were legal of course, and who would doubt that,
so's the action that Paul England's taking
Against Davo, but then, we'll not mention that,
for sub-judice laws we'd be breaking.
Now years have gone by, most forget this weekend
Even Larry, who drove Elfins later -
And the argument's over, for others contend
new issues o'er tintops and "data."
The Gold Star limps on in the shadow of tourers
costing millions to put on the track.
Oh, for the days of the open-wheeled furores,
Days that - sadly - we'll never get back.
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-06-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-07-2000).]
#13
Don Capps
-
- 5,933 posts
- Joined: May 99
Member
Posted 07 April 2000 - 06:18
Ray, I never cease to be amazed! I really enjoyed that!
island, Lemme see, the Williams article for 8W, the next Rear View Mirror column which will be the first installment on the 1961 season, revising the Tripoli article (Barry?), thinking about the German F2 article for 8W, sorting out the Maserati & Alfa chassis (telaio) for Leif to use, pondering my true magnum opus & my Monster in the Box which is a former dissertation subject of mine on the South Carolina Militia and then there are the things I am doing for my Day Job...
------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,
Don Capps
Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…
[This message has been edited by Don Capps (edited 04-06-2000).]
island, Lemme see, the Williams article for 8W, the next Rear View Mirror column which will be the first installment on the 1961 season, revising the Tripoli article (Barry?), thinking about the German F2 article for 8W, sorting out the Maserati & Alfa chassis (telaio) for Leif to use, pondering my true magnum opus & my Monster in the Box which is a former dissertation subject of mine on the South Carolina Militia and then there are the things I am doing for my Day Job...
------------------
Yr fthfl & hmbl srvnt,
Don Capps
Semper Gumbi: If this was easy, we’d have the solution already…
[This message has been edited by Don Capps (edited 04-06-2000).]
#14
Dennis David
-
- 2,483 posts
- Joined: March 99
Member
Posted 07 April 2000 - 06:50
This is the kind of threads I really enjoy, very conversational.
------------------
Regards,
Dennis David
Yahoo = dennis_a_david
Life is racing, the rest is waiting
Grand Prix History
www.ddavid.com/formula1/
------------------
Regards,
Dennis David
Yahoo = dennis_a_david
Life is racing, the rest is waiting
Grand Prix History
www.ddavid.com/formula1/
#15
island
-
- 289 posts
- Joined: April 00
Member
Posted 07 April 2000 - 07:22
Huw,
the ex-Roy Lane McRae GM1 now belongs to
Ray Boissoneau (chassis no.012). I saw the
car at the HSR meeting at Watkins Glen last
June. Can you tell me more about the two
GM1s at the recent NZ meeting (chassis
numbers, owners)?
Dexter Dunlop`s destroyed GM1 must have been
no.001 (1972 Tasman Cup and SCCA Contintental
5000 Series winner), I think.
the ex-Roy Lane McRae GM1 now belongs to
Ray Boissoneau (chassis no.012). I saw the
car at the HSR meeting at Watkins Glen last
June. Can you tell me more about the two
GM1s at the recent NZ meeting (chassis
numbers, owners)?
Dexter Dunlop`s destroyed GM1 must have been
no.001 (1972 Tasman Cup and SCCA Contintental
5000 Series winner), I think.
#16
Huw Jenjin
-
- 427 posts
- Joined: June 99
Member
Posted 07 April 2000 - 20:52
last I heard of Cassius he was throwing his weight around about some Porsche replicas he "sold" the rights to build. He was working from Milford on Auckland's North Shore.That was three or four years ago though.....
The McCraes that last appearred at Whenuapai or pukekohe were two GM1s I think(the ones that looked a bit M19 ish)and the other had a chisel nose, i'm not sure of the number.
That Fracas that the poem is about, is that how Larry Perkins got the name "Larakin Larry"?. Interesting that he appears in two different threads, as he is in the one about HJ Stuck too i think.
The McCraes that last appearred at Whenuapai or pukekohe were two GM1s I think(the ones that looked a bit M19 ish)and the other had a chisel nose, i'm not sure of the number.
That Fracas that the poem is about, is that how Larry Perkins got the name "Larakin Larry"?. Interesting that he appears in two different threads, as he is in the one about HJ Stuck too i think.
#17
Ray Bell
-
- 81,455 posts
- Joined: December 99
Member
Posted 08 April 2000 - 04:40
If you come from a place called Cowangie, have 'Cowangie Kid' on you helmet, and have a name like Larry, you will always be called 'Larrikin' in this country.
That was his name from the FF times, I think you'll find (he won the Aust title in 1970, from memory), but this story is in 1979.
The guts of it was that the Formula Atlantic people were trying to get their heads in for our National F1 and certain F5000 backers were trying to chop their heads off before their cars depreciated out of view.
Note that "they'd been camped there all week.." - the signs identifying the pit bays were put up with no regard for them, just to give the prominence to the F5000s, and Paul simply moved the signs around to suit himself.
All pretty childish, you might think, but really you had to be there. I wasn't, but I had enough reports back to me to get the impression it was a lot of fun if you knew what was going on!
Of course, you would know that CAMS is the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, but this information is something I should have included for our more distant readers.
Winton, for the benefit once again of our distant readers, was until this time just a country circuit, too tight for serious racing, but a place you went for a fun day out... a mile and a bit of bitumen in a sheep paddock (literally - it is built on a common). These days it has been extended and holds a slightly higher stature. Incredibly, when they extended it they failed to open up the corners - if anything it's even tighter!
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-08-2000).]
That was his name from the FF times, I think you'll find (he won the Aust title in 1970, from memory), but this story is in 1979.
The guts of it was that the Formula Atlantic people were trying to get their heads in for our National F1 and certain F5000 backers were trying to chop their heads off before their cars depreciated out of view.
Note that "they'd been camped there all week.." - the signs identifying the pit bays were put up with no regard for them, just to give the prominence to the F5000s, and Paul simply moved the signs around to suit himself.
All pretty childish, you might think, but really you had to be there. I wasn't, but I had enough reports back to me to get the impression it was a lot of fun if you knew what was going on!
Of course, you would know that CAMS is the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, but this information is something I should have included for our more distant readers.
Winton, for the benefit once again of our distant readers, was until this time just a country circuit, too tight for serious racing, but a place you went for a fun day out... a mile and a bit of bitumen in a sheep paddock (literally - it is built on a common). These days it has been extended and holds a slightly higher stature. Incredibly, when they extended it they failed to open up the corners - if anything it's even tighter!
------------------
Life and love are mixed with pain...
[This message has been edited by Ray Bell (edited 04-08-2000).]
#18
Barry Lake
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Posted 08 April 2000 - 07:48
Ray
I think the spelling is "larrikin".
Sorry, couldn't help myself...
I think the spelling is "larrikin".
Sorry, couldn't help myself...
#19
Ray Bell
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Posted 09 April 2000 - 03:41
Funny thing, Barry, I came back to this post seeing there was a response and yours wasn't there, but I noticed the 'e' and corrected it, then your posting came up when I'd made the correction. Sometimes the last post doesn't come up first time around.
Whadja think of the poem, anyway, a true enough account of the weekend - or weren't you there either?
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
Whadja think of the poem, anyway, a true enough account of the weekend - or weren't you there either?
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
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#20
Barry Lake
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Posted 09 April 2000 - 16:36
Ray
You sent me that poem once before and I was impressed.
You sent me that poem once before and I was impressed.
#21
Ray Bell
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Posted 09 April 2000 - 18:27
Thanks, but I wasn't asking for another compliment, I was asking for you views on that weekend - if you were there. I thought you might be able to add something...
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
#22
Ray Bell
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Posted 10 April 2000 - 21:19
I heard a while back that Cassius had some sort of contract for a while with Chrysler in the States... anyone know any more about that?
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
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Life and love are mixed with pain...
#23
island
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- 289 posts
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Posted 10 April 2000 - 21:29
Ray,
I am in contact with a guy of Miami/Florida
who knows McRae`s former US-head mechanic.
He told me that McRae worked for Ricky Rudd`s
Winston Cup team recently, building the
car`s suspension.
I am in contact with a guy of Miami/Florida
who knows McRae`s former US-head mechanic.
He told me that McRae worked for Ricky Rudd`s
Winston Cup team recently, building the
car`s suspension.
#24
Huw Jenjin
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- 427 posts
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Posted 12 April 2000 - 20:01
cassius carrying out a contract does sound quite likely.....
#25
Vicuna
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Posted 23 May 2003 - 09:30
30 years this weekend since Graham McRae was Rookie of the year at Indy.
Has there ever been another another rookie who didn't retire, didn't die or get injured or failed to again qualify who never went back to Indy??
Has there ever been another another rookie who didn't retire, didn't die or get injured or failed to again qualify who never went back to Indy??
#26
fines
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- 9,647 posts
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Posted 23 May 2003 - 16:45
Yes, Christian Fittipaldi and Juan Pablo Montoya. I'm sure there were others, this just from memory...
#27
cm50
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- 63 posts
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Posted 26 May 2003 - 12:28
Prior to the F5000 era McRae built a very pretty 1.5 litre car which I thinkwas largely Brabham based, at least in the suspension department. It looked a sort of mini 264T and certainly impressed a Mr Amon.
An earlier creation was a just as pretty sports car which I think he called a Massarari, not sure how succesful that was.
Do these cars still exist on the NZ historics scene
An earlier creation was a just as pretty sports car which I think he called a Massarari, not sure how succesful that was.
Do these cars still exist on the NZ historics scene
#28
David McKinney
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Posted 26 May 2003 - 14:45
The Masarrari has been seen in recent years, I believe.
There were actually three small McRae single-seaters. The first was known simply as the McRae Twincam, and was unashamedly a scaled-down version of the Tasman Dino Ferrari. This one was red, but the SR2, its replacement the following year, was black. It later ran with an FVA engine and was, I believe, sold to the US. The third was a kit which passed from pillar to post throughout the '70s and '80s without being completed, though it may have been by now.
The McRae Twincams absolutely ran rings around the contemporary Brabham and Lotus opposition, which did no harm at all to McRae's reputation as a driver or as an engineer. In fact the secret of their success was that the British cars had been designed for formulae which had a weight limit, and the McRaes weren't.
There were actually three small McRae single-seaters. The first was known simply as the McRae Twincam, and was unashamedly a scaled-down version of the Tasman Dino Ferrari. This one was red, but the SR2, its replacement the following year, was black. It later ran with an FVA engine and was, I believe, sold to the US. The third was a kit which passed from pillar to post throughout the '70s and '80s without being completed, though it may have been by now.
The McRae Twincams absolutely ran rings around the contemporary Brabham and Lotus opposition, which did no harm at all to McRae's reputation as a driver or as an engineer. In fact the secret of their success was that the British cars had been designed for formulae which had a weight limit, and the McRaes weren't.
#29
Mac Lark
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Posted 26 May 2003 - 19:35
The Massari lives and still competes in historic races in NZ.
It is a very pretty car with the front being 300S ish and the rear being Ferrarish.
McRae began building it when he was 17 and not only competed in it but used as his road car as well.
David is right about the whereabouts of the single seaters - the 'red car' is in Christchurch while the 'black car' went to the States..
A third car was never completed and may or may not exist. It has certainly never TMK, been fifnished.
It came about because after welding all the tubes together Graham discovered he'd made it too narrow across the shoulders.
It is a very pretty car with the front being 300S ish and the rear being Ferrarish.
McRae began building it when he was 17 and not only competed in it but used as his road car as well.
David is right about the whereabouts of the single seaters - the 'red car' is in Christchurch while the 'black car' went to the States..
A third car was never completed and may or may not exist. It has certainly never TMK, been fifnished.
It came about because after welding all the tubes together Graham discovered he'd made it too narrow across the shoulders.
#30
Ray Bell
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Posted 26 May 2003 - 21:52
Very informative, David... I never realised that lightness was a factor in McRae's stunning success in your local 1.5 racing in 1969. Then I note that the RCN report for Wigram that year does draw attention to it by saying, simply, 'the light McRae' in relation to these successes.
I also thought I'd seen McRae at Warwick Farm, but I find no mention of him, so maybe the mental picture I have of him in a light green car is all wrong?
No mention is made here of the Brabham he ran before his own cars... he did well in that too. But I'm also struggling with David's statement that his McRaes were 'scaled down Tasman Dino Ferraris' and wonder exactly what aspect of these cars were copied into the McRaes?
I also thought I'd seen McRae at Warwick Farm, but I find no mention of him, so maybe the mental picture I have of him in a light green car is all wrong?
No mention is made here of the Brabham he ran before his own cars... he did well in that too. But I'm also struggling with David's statement that his McRaes were 'scaled down Tasman Dino Ferraris' and wonder exactly what aspect of these cars were copied into the McRaes?
#31
cm50
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Posted 26 May 2003 - 23:14
Thanks guys, It was the red car I recall and it was its similarity to the Dino that I think prompted Amon to offer a set of wheels to McRae. I dont recall the offer being taken up, probably due to fitting problems. From memory it was a tubular frame with welded sheet metal panels for added stiffness which carried on over the scuttle area and basically Brabham suspension. It was very small compared to the Brabhams, lotuses etc and of course very pretty. Glad to know it still exists
#32
Ray Bell
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Posted 26 May 2003 - 23:40
Very small, eh?
We have a car here called the Eagle Imp that's unbelieveably small... has 10" diameter wheels and all, and the young pedaller in its Historic life is an extremely rapid Keith Simpson.
Very good example of light weight giving performance.
We have a car here called the Eagle Imp that's unbelieveably small... has 10" diameter wheels and all, and the young pedaller in its Historic life is an extremely rapid Keith Simpson.
Very good example of light weight giving performance.
#33
Mac Lark
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Posted 27 May 2003 - 03:32
The car might have been light but Graham was and is a big guy.
#34
Ray Bell
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Posted 27 May 2003 - 04:16
Actually, that's a very good point...
He'd need to take 30lbs or so out of a car to make up for his own stature.
He'd need to take 30lbs or so out of a car to make up for his own stature.
