2541 replies to this topic

[MarkBisset]

 

Jessie Griffiths’ Maserati 4CL #1579 in the Warwick Farm paddock in May 1961 (John Ellacott)

 

Wonder who owned the Lotus 6 at that stage? Article about #1579 in part here: https://primotipo.co...-1-by-bob-king/

Edited by MarkBisset, 22 February 2024 - 04:18.

[FlyingSaucer]

 

Jessie Griffiths’ Maserati 4CL #1579 in the Warwick Farm paddock in May 1961 (John Ellacott)

 

Wonder who owned the Lotus 6 at that stage? Article about #1579 in part here: https://primotipo.co...-1-by-bob-king/

 

For me, the most impressive thing is to see how these cars (like the Talbot T26 and Maserati 4CL) were still racing in real australian club meetings (and not demonstration races) in the early 60s. This demonstrates how sturdy these designs were, to withstand 20 years of harsh continuous use. I know that many of them had undergone changes and updates over the years, but even so, it is still smt admirable.

 

Btw, do you have any colored pics of the Talbots T26Cs in Australia Mark? I know that most of these cars ran in different shades of blue in Europe (with a few notable exceptions), but in Australia, I have no clue!  

Edited by FlyingSaucer, 22 February 2024 - 18:34.

[Ray Bell]

The Alfa Tipo B owned by Jack Saywell in 1938 was still in conventional short-distance racing until 1962 or so fitted with a Chevrolet V8. It was a Dubonnet front suspension car...

 

Barry Collerson was the last to race a Lago Talbot and did so until 1961 IIRC. Doug Jarvis seems to jump to memory with regard to the Lex Davison Tipo B, he must have been racing it in the time I've been following the sport, and I've got some hazy memory of seeing a photo of that car (it was a live axle front end car) at Warwick Farm or maybe Sandown.

[Shane Bowden]

Dyson Holden in the background.

[Ray Bell]

Mark...

 

D. J. Johnston is entered in a 'Lotus Climax', 1098cc in capacity and silver in colour, for that meeting. That must be the Lotus 6. The Austin Lancer would appear to be Ian Barberie's car or it could be D. A. Lowe's.

 

This meeting was unusual as it featured a number of handicap races of an 'all in' nature, one strange thing I noticed was that Lorraine Hill was in two races in a row in the Swallow Doretti. I see no mention of the Dyson Holden, but it may have gone under another name.

 

And there were two Maserati 4CLs at the meeting, Jesse Griffiths and one driven by J. B. Wiltshire.

[MarkBisset]

 

Thanks Ray.

 

John Ellacott sent me a note, I cocked up the Lotus 6 call.

 

It's R Piper in the Hamilton #62.

 

Interestingly - for me at least! - the #1 Matich Lotus 15 Climax is being driven by Ron Hodgson. John dates the shots as May 1961 practice, Warwick Farm 

 

And to Flying Saucer, there are a few Oz Talbot Lago T26C shots in colour.

The most efficient way to find them is to Google - separately - Doug Whiteford, Talbot Lago T26C, Ken Richardson, TL 26C, and Owen Bailey TL 26C 

That will do the trick

 

m

Edited by MarkBisset, 23 February 2024 - 10:59.

[Jahn1234567890]

Mark...

 

D. J. Johnston is entered in a 'Lotus Climax', 1098cc in capacity and silver in colour, for that meeting. That must be the Lotus 6. The Austin Lancer would appear to be Ian Barberie's car or it could be D. A. Lowe's.

 

This meeting was unusual as it featured a number of handicap races of an 'all in' nature, one strange thing I noticed was that Lorraine Hill was in two races in a row in the Swallow Doretti. I see no mention of the Dyson Holden, but it may have gone under another name.

 

And there were two Maserati 4CLs at the meeting, Jesse Griffiths and one driven by J. B. Wiltshire.

 

The Norman Wiltshire entered Maserati is actually a 4CM [s/n 1521]. A car with a lot of history: Initially purchased by Gino Rovere in 1934 for the up and coming Giuseppe Farina.Farina drove the car in 1934 and 1935. The car was sold to Teddy Rayson in 1936, who drove it frequently up to 1938. After the war 1521 was briefly owned by Richard Dixon and Harry Grey, but the car only appeared once with Ian Connell driving at Jersey. It appeared next with R.C. Rowland Motors with both Charles Mortimer and Joh Rowland driving the car. The car was then sold to a young Roy Salvadori who raced the 4CM in 1948.1521 reappeared with Archie Baring in 1949 now with a modified grille. He sold the car to David Chambers, a car dealer from Sydney. Chambers drove the car at Goodwood in September 1949 before taking the Maserati to Australia. The car was much raced in Australia and competed well into the 1960s. Being driven by Chambers, Tom Sulman, Jack Neal, Norman Wiltshire among others. 4CM 1521 still exist today, although having been restored to its original form.

[cooper997]

A minor adjustment to Jahn1234567890 history of the Wiltshire car.

When the Chambers Maserati arrived in Australia, David was Melbourne-based with an announcement in October 1949 AMS that he had the Maserati coming. Around 6 months later he moved to Sydney with connection to Larke Hoskins - the large Sydney Austin distributor/ dealers (that IIRC was a connection with his brother, Peter too). The Sydney move then began a series of adverts for the car at a series of addresses.

 

The car being listed in that May 21, 1961 Warwick Farm National Open Meeting.

Event 6 Racing Car Scratch Race Under and Over 1500cc - (2 Classes) 5 laps

10 N B Wiltshire Maserati 4C s/c 1496 Red

 

As shown by Mark's posting of John Ellacott rare colour photo, the Jesse Griffiths entry is listed in the same event 6,

and prior, Event 5 Handicap Race - C, 5 laps

11 J Griffiths Maserati 4CL s/c 1494 Red 1.20 (h/cap)

 

Another 'old stager' in these events was the Bloom Dixon Riley. All mixed together with the then current Formula cars such as Mildren & Glass' Cooper Maseratis and others in Event 6.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 23 February 2024 - 18:44.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by MarkBisset

 
Thanks Ray.
 
John Ellacott sent me a note, I cocked up the Lotus 6 call.
 
It's R Piper in the Hamilton #62.
 
Interestingly - for me at least! - the #1 Matich Lotus 15 Climax is being driven by Ron Hodgson. John dates the shots as May 1961 practice, Warwick Farm 

Mark, it's the Lotus 11 next to Matich's Lotus 15 which was driven by Ron Hodgson, and I agree that it was different to the normal run of cars he drove.

And from memory, it was Ross Piper in the Hamilton, this car is running at this meeting (according to the programme) in unsupercharged form, but if I have my facts right this car was powered by a B-series BMC engine with a supercharger. Later it was owned by David Medley, I assume that's no longer the case. I'm sure the wheels got wider at some later stage too.
 
There's an Allard bringing up the rear in this picture, driver is J. G. O'Brien and the capacity of 4375cc would probably indicate it was Ford V8-powered, not Cadillac.
 
Thanks to John for the great shot.

[MarkBisset]

Thanks guys re Ron Hodgson,

 

John corrected me last night but I missed the email, wonderful shots...as always!

 

m

[Ray Bell]

I'd like to see a similar angle pic taken when the Shell Bridge was in place...

 

I'd reckon John was standing about 50' past where it was built to take that shot. The slope on the right is where the ground was built up for one of the horse-racing start ramps, so I guess it was relatively easy to build that up as a spectator mound.

[MarkBisset]

 

Context is everything. The shot above of Barry Collerson, Talbot-Lago T26C #110007 at Gnoo Blas, Orange in 1960 looks kosher, whereas the one below at Catalina Park, Katoomba in 1961 perhaps not so much. The difference is the ‘new-fangled’ Armco.

 

 

A couple more shots from John Ellacott 

Edited by MarkBisset, 25 February 2024 - 22:45.

[cooper997]

Mark, I assume that you know the exact dates for John's Lago photos. But others may not.

 

If I'm on the right path February 1, 1960 Gnoo Blas (the 1st Australian Touring Car Championship meeting for what it's worth).

Event 2 (11am) Anniversary Championship (racing cars) – 10 laps.

15 B Collerson Lago Talbot

Event 6 (4.50pm) Mass Start Handicap Racing Cars – 4 laps

15 B Collerson Lago Talbot 1.00

 

Catalina Park photo was used on Barry Collerson's book cover (although I haven't got it) and may well be the very first Catalina meeting on February 12, 1961.

Event 8 Racing Cars, Group A 4 laps 1pm p21

15 B Collerson B Collerson Lago Talbot 4482

and maybe other events that had to be written in...

 

John is coming to Phillip Island Classic.

 

 

Stephen

[Sterzo]

At the risk of intruding - just a quick note from London to say what a joy this thread is. (And other Australian history threads).

[Lola5000]

 

Context is everything. The shot above of Barry Collerson, Talbot-Lago T26C #110007 at Gnoo Blas, Orange in 1960 looks kosher, whereas the one below at Catalina Park, Katoomba in 1961 perhaps not so much. The difference is the ‘new-fangled’ Armco.

 

 

A couple more shots from John Ellacott 

The 1st photo and the exhaust outlet is not the original ,I've never seen a photo of that outlet before .

 

What a car to own today and run in historic motor racing in Australia with that so easy pre select gearbox.

Edited by Lola5000, 27 February 2024 - 04:26.

[lyntonh]

I'd like to see a similar angle pic taken when the Shell Bridge was in place...

 

I'd reckon John was standing about 50' past where it was built to take that shot. The slope on the right is where the ground was built up for one of the horse-racing start ramps, so I guess it was relatively easy to build that up as a spectator mound.

You sent me hunting to see if my collection included anything helpful.

 

I probably failed for a number of reasons, some because of the restrictions caused by the bridge itself, others because I was there to photograph the events on the track, and didn't think to record the details of the 'architecture'.

 

Here are several shots which will hopefully describe the area as I saw it between mid-1969 and mid-1972, when I ceased going there, as I found myself otherwise occupied, and later briefly viewing from the paddock, just before the circuit's demise.

 

The photos are pretty self explanatory, but I've noted a few things of interest.

 

From Creek in 1969.

The spectator mound appears to have no connection to the racecourse beyond.

 

1969 again.

The horse track fencing which ran along that straight portion of the racecourse which headed down past Northern Crossing is evident, the section across the end providing elevated seating overlooking the left hander onto that short straight into the Crossing.

Note that the three level Armco stops at the bridge and timber remained beyond.

 

Eastern side.

The single layer Armco has remained, new 'rough-as-guts' posts have been inserted at mid spacings and support the top two rails.

Photos from the western side show that the long posts were not bolted to the bottom layer.

Mike Raffan, if you didn't recognize him....

The change from Armco to timber.

The Armco was left in place behind the timber.....fascinating that they used timber for that portion.

Note the cyclone fence running along the pathway from Dunlop Bridge blocked access to the area behind the Armco south of the Shell Bridge on the western side.

 

 

 

The Northern side of the bridge showing the cyclone wire preventing 'public' access behind the western Armco. 

I don't remember how the badge-wearing shooters got into the area down by the right hand corner in the middle of the esses, but I do remember that they stayed close to the fence as they walked along, because the pond was quite close behind.

 

The same area from the western side.

The AJC were notoriously slack with weeding in that area.

 

Just past the bridge looking west, the single strand wire in the foreground indicates the path onto the steps,

Plenty of people leg-dangling on the horse railing to the left.

Another view, just to indulge myself....

The handbag is just so 'Warwick Farm' !!

 

They may help....

Lynton 

Edited by lyntonh, 28 February 2024 - 12:29.

[Ray Bell]

Thanks for the indulgence, Lynton...

 

It's still hard to work it out.

[Lee Nicolle]

You sent me hunting to see if my collection included anything helpful.

 

I probably failed for a number of reasons, some because of the restrictions caused by the bridge itself, others because I was there to photograph the events on the track, and didn't think to record the details of the 'architecture'.

 

Here are several shots which will hopefully describe the area as I saw it between mid-1969 and mid-1972, when I ceased going there, as I found myself otherwise occupied, and later briefly viewing from the paddock, just before the circuit's demise.

 

The photos are pretty self explanatory, but I've noted a few things of interest.

 

From Creek in 1969.

The spectator mound appears to have no connection to the racecourse beyond.

 

1969 again.

The horse track fencing which ran along that straight portion of the racecourse which headed down past Northern Crossing is evident, the section across the end providing elevated seating overlooking the left hander onto that short straight into the Crossing.

Note that the three level Armco stops at the bridge and timber remained beyond.

 

Eastern side.

The single layer Armco has remained, new 'rough-as-guts' posts have been inserted at mid spacings and support the top two rails.

Photos from the western side show that the long posts were not bolted to the bottom layer.

Mike Raffan, if you didn't recognize him....

The change from Armco to timber.

The Armco was left in place behind the timber.....fascinating that they used timber for that portion.

Note the cyclone fence running along the pathway from Dunlop Bridge blocked access to the area behind the Armco south of the Shell Bridge on the western side.

 

 

 

The Northern side of the bridge showing the cyclone wire preventing 'public' access behind the western Armco. 

I don't remember how the badge-wearing shooters got into the area down by the right hand corner in the middle of the esses, but I do remember that they stayed close to the fence as they walked along, because the pond was quite close behind.

 

The same area from the western side.

The AJC were notoriously slack with weeding in that area.

 

Just past the bridge looking west, the single strand wire in the foreground indicates the path onto the steps,

Plenty of people leg-dangling on the horse railing to the left.

Another view, just to indulge myself....

The handbag is just so 'Warwick Farm' !!

 

They may help....

Lynton 

The change from Armco to wood. Why?  NSW Speedways act?  NSW seemed to have a lot of timber fences. Bill Brown cut a Falcon in half on one!

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 02 March 2024 - 04:31.

[MarkBisset]

Thanks Lynton,

 

Some great panorama shots, if there is one place I would love to have been to and raced on it's WF!

 

m

[Doug Nye]

Gorgeous material.  I love real scene-setting race circuit photography...

 

DCN

[GreenMachine]

Gorgeous material.  I love real scene-setting race circuit photography...

 

DCN

 

That first photo from Creek looking to Shell Bridge, so evocative ...   

[Catalina Park]

A different shot that shows the view from the spectator area. The cars on the track are going the wrong direction. (which is a metaphor for Leyland in 1973)

Edited by Catalina Park, 02 March 2024 - 08:22.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by MarkBisset
Thanks Lynton,
 
Some great panorama shots, if there is one place I would love to have been to and raced on it's WF!

Such a great place, filling my memory banks to this day...

I've been staring at the first two pics here trying to determine if it's Bob Levett and I lazily awaiting the need to use our flags at the first left-hander out of Creek. That's Bob Muir in the ex-Niel Allen Lotus 23B, by the way.
 
Simultaneously I'm trying to remember when we were moved from our beloved Point M between the Northern Crossing and The Causeway to that spot. But I'm becoming convinced that it was later than this.
 
And Doug is so right about the 'scene setting' photos being so useful in giving a broader picture of the surroundings and how the circuit falls into place in the world.
 
However, for the purpose of little other than making things complete, the second picture is possibly Gary Campbell in his Elfin 600, the Lotus Elan in the third is hard to pick, possibly Peter Woodward, while Lynton has pointed out that the wing is on the back of Raffan's Sprite, Leo Geoghegan's Lotus 59 is going under the bridge, Jack Bono's Brabham BT6 is coming out from under it, Bill Brown is spinning the Porsche, Max Stewart appears to be going for a good qualifying time in front of very few people, I think the Mini is Graeme Littlemore but I could be wrong about that. Finally, the lady with the handbag is watching Pete Geoghegan.
 
Worth noting in the last pic is the expanse of the spectator mound along Hume Straight, with the long shadows of the late afternoon and the regular traffic passing by on the Hume Highway.

[bradbury west]

I have to say it Ray, whenever I see photographs of WF it always reminds me of our  time in Australia in 2006 when you and Malcolm walked us around the remains of the circuit. Even in the state in which the place found itself then it was still easy to imagine the sound and sight of cars racing there, still the sense of atmosphere. Crikey, Ray, that was 18 years ago… we must be starting to get old soon.

Roger Lund

[GreenMachine]

That spectator area north of Shell Bridge has me flummoxed.  I can't believe that my group would not have moved there, rather than our usual perch just to the right of the bridge, had it been available.  We started going in late 65/early 66, and were pretty well regulars until some time in the early 70s.  It may just be a memory failure on my part, sadly my companions on those trips are now gone so I can't get a readout from them.

[Ian G]

As an aside and IIRC,the last couple of WF meetings in 1973(late 1972?) were strange.

I don't know if the AARC were short of Marshalls but there were people(spectators) wandering around everywhere,on the side of Hume straight near the Shell Bridge,even up towards Homestead and in the scrub at Creek Corner and towards the Esses. 

No surprise when the AJC announced it was closing the Motor Racing track.  

[lyntonh]

As an aside and IIRC,the last couple of WF meetings in 1973(late 1972?) were strange.

I don't know if the AARC were short of Marshalls but there were people(spectators) wandering around everywhere,on the side of Hume straight near the Shell Bridge,even up towards Homestead and in the scrub at Creek Corner and towards the Esses. 

No surprise when the AJC announced it was closing the Motor Racing track.  

This is a scan from the September 1969 programme.

There was a large spectator area inside Dunlop Bridge.

[Ian G]

Yes Lynton,but these were 'spectators' wandering around the track,only happened,AFAIK, the last few meetings.

[Ray Bell]

Between races?

 

I can't imagine them being on the track when a race was in progress, though some did get on the track during the slow-down lap of some big races.

[Ian G]

Between races?

 

I can't imagine them being on the track when a race was in progress, though some did get on the track during the slow-down lap of some big races.

 

Hi Ray,yes during races as well,standing alongside the track especially Hume straight and in the scrub behind Creek Corner,even walking up to Homestead corner.

They disappeared when the CoC car came along and then back for the race.

 

As i said we only noticed it during the last couple of meetings before closure.

[Catalina Park]

From what I've been told, CAMS had cut off access between some spectator areas just before the end, they were demanding fencing upgrades (which never happened.) CAMS wanted Armco around all NSW tracks. 

[GreenMachine]

Bit like 'informal' spectator access along Mulsanne Straight, facilitated under cover of darkness.

 

There was chatter at the time of such goings on at The Farm, but I put them down to speculation and/or exaggeration.  I certainly never saw anything of that nature.

[Ian G]

From what I've been told, CAMS had cut off access between some spectator areas just before the end, they were demanding fencing upgrades (which never happened.) CAMS wanted Armco around all NSW tracks. 

 

Yes,not that it matters 50 years later but it was a lot more than the Armco.

 

The CAMS delegate from our Club in the early 1970's had Info. on the CAMS/AJC meetings,there was more than one but Sir Frank was not at any of them.

The AJC wanted the AARC and Motor Racing in general gone,at the last meeting CAMS offered to run the Circuit themselves and also pay for the safety upgrades(and crossings) but that offer fell on deaf ears,the end of an era.

As i have posted before there was a section of the AJC committee that wanted to turn WF into an Equestrian Park so Motor Racing days were numbered no matter what happened.   

[Ray Bell]

When building a motor racing circuit at Warwick Farm was mooted it was just what was needed to put a financial shot in the arm into the property...

 

Small crowds, few race meetings and high costs were killing the place for its owners, the Australian Jockey Club. But they needed it as a training venue to assist in keeping good fields running at their main track, Randwick.

 

Motor racing brought in some good income in the early years, and it could have continued to do the same for a long time to come. But it became unnecessary in the eyes of the AJC because the NSW Totalisator Agency Board came into being to provide regulated off-course betting and so go a long way to stamping out illegal bookmaking.

 

By 1966 the amount of money being poured into organisations like the AJC from the TAB exceeded any revenue from motor racing. It simply wasn't needed any more.

[ellrosso]

We don't have a lot of wide shots from Warwick Farm but here are a few to add to what's been posted. I'll leave it to Ray and Lynton to give more info as I never made it to W Farm.

[ellrosso]

One more. Not sure if its Bill Brown (likely) or Spencer Martin in the 250 LM behind Hawkins in the b/w shot.

[Ray Bell]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lindsay...

 

The first pic is unusual in that it's from a Club meeting on the short circuit, where the cars are coming around the short joining loop, which cuts off the best of the circuit, and entering the Causeway. Barry Campbell in the TR?

 

Second pic, I think this is from practice day. It's coming off the Northern Crossing to head for the Causeway, Richie Galloway getting out of the way of Frank Matich, while it might be Amon in the March behind Matich and I think it could be Frank Radisich next in what appears to be another M10.

 

The lovely shot of Gary Campbell is coming out of the Esses to head for the Northern Crossing.

 

The Ferrari chasing the Lola T70 coupe is indeed driven by Bill Brown, the 'Gallaher GT' race in, I think, September. Having come out of Creek Corner, they have then turned left to enter the Esses.

 

Finally, down Hume Straight we see Graham Hill in the Scuderia Veloce Brabham BT11a leading Jim Clark in the Lotus 32B whjile I'm pretty sure it's Frank Matich just coming from Homestead Corner ahead of a couple of other cars. 1965 International 100.

[ellrosso]

Thanks Ray. Yes, Barry Campbell in the TR3A and Graham Rutledge in the Spit. Both are 'Gong boys and mates of Dick Simpson. Interesting, Rutledge was driving a TR6 in a support race at 2018 Bathurst 12 hr - so pretty long career. Just checked and he is still racing in Historics - No 666.

Edited by ellrosso, 18 March 2024 - 03:45.

[Wirra]

A bit late with the Warwick Farm esses photos.

 

Apologies for the quality, but here is one taken whilst elbow jostling on the Shell Bridge, looking south. The exit was quite a tight left-hander.

 

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by ellrosso
We don't have a lot of wide shots from Warwick Farm but here are a few to add to what's been posted. I'll leave it to Ray and Lynton to give more info as I never made it to W Farm.

Looking at this shot I can see that Dick has been out of the Esses himself and is angled back slightly. Here's the line I feel he was shooting transposed over the map:

 

And here's another angle on the Hume Straight/Homestead Corner picture above:

[Ray Bell]

To identify the Cortina leaving the Esses...

 

That's Bob Inglis.

[GreenMachine]

Following on from https://forums.autos...47#entry9360124, some more photos of this car have come to light, taken at Lakeview hillclimb Bungendore.  This was earlier in his ownership, the swing axles later replaced by links as above.

At this meeting the car won its class in a record time, which still stands now as I believe it was the last meeting at this venue.

 

 

 

 

And for atmosphere ...