90 replies to this topic

[Kenzclass]

So, in summary, we’ve got proof of the 1959, 60 and 61 Middle Ridge meetings, and Keith Thallon’s 1960 report suggests a 1958 meeting as well.
For printed report searchers, the COF traditionally occupied the last full weekend is September, although in recent years, it seems to extended a bit.
So Stephen, the October 1, 1958 AMN is probably the Holy Grail we are seeking.
In regards to Edsel, following your extensive search of race programs, I’m now wondering if he only raced the COF meetings as flag-waving publicity for the local dealership, and didn’t stray any further afield.
Looking at the photo streaming into Gordon Motors Bend, I wonder if that’s 1961 - as there’s a red/white top XK Falcon parked on the verge.
Or was it an early buyer in 1960, or perhaps a Clerk of Course car provided by Falconers.

[Ray Bell]

I don't know that we have proof of 1959...

Probably 1958, as I understand it.

[Kenzclass]

Scrolling back through the thread, Ray, I think you’re correct about no proof of a 1959 running.
This’ll start something fresh.....

[cooper997]

Yes Ken it's the October 1, 1958 Australian Motor News that could possibly reveal a report or even snippett. There's also a small chance that either of the September issues reveal a coming event or what's on style meeting date. 

 

It is the August 1959 AMS that mentions the September 19, 1959 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in coming events. But it doesn't mention Middle Ridge by name. I do know that the Carnival of Flowers tag was applied to a Leyburn meeting held in September 1955.

 

A bit of googling 'Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers photos' last night didn't reveal much motor racing stuff. There was some wrongly tagged as Lakeside photos, when in fact they look like the 1960 Australian GP at Lowood

 

My next thought relates to whether the Toowoomba Historical Society have any Middle Ridge, or even any motor racing related stuff from the district. 

 

Stephen

[Brian Lear]

There were only three race meetings held at Toowoomba. 29/9/58,17/9/60 and 23/9/61. No meeting in 1959 for reasons unknown to me.

 

The photo of the Ford Falcon in post 1 of this thread must have been taken during unofficial or official practice as during the race the number 30 was also affixed to the front number plate.

 

The John Evans mentioned in post 30 is a Toowoomba local and has recently written a book on the history of the Toowoomba Auto Club and is presently seeking a sponsor to assist with publishing etc.

 

Brian Lear

[cooper997]

Handy to have a fresh pair of eyes and some additional information to help with the jigsaw.. Thanks Brian.

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

I think I know the answer to this already but was the September 1958 meeting likely to be over a long weekend in Qld? Why I ask is that the 29th was a Monday.

 

As for the 1959 event being a non-runner, one can only think that those within the QRDC pulling the Lowood strings may well have applied some heat to the Toowoomba Auto Club. Given they ran Lowood's on August 30 and October 25, 1959. It might well have been deemed overkill for the small Qld motor racing community to be expected to run 3 meetings so close together (in date and proximity).

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

Though I have only been resident in Queensland for 27 years, I feel confident in saying that there was no general public holiday on September 29, 1959.

Queensland didn't share the Queens Birthday weekend (the first Monday in October) with NSW until two or three years ago.

However, the Carnival of Flowers is a big issue in Toowoomba and it's quite likely it was a local holiday in that city and its surrounds, just as many towns have a public holiday for their 'Show Day'.

[cooper997]

Almost a local then! I was quizzing the 1958 date being a Monday, Ray. But your response can be applied to it anyway.

 

Stephen

 

 

Since Tim has created the Sabakat thread, I'm just editing this post to include the Sabakat photo that could well be Middle Ridge 1958 to make sense of Ray's comment in the following post. Thanks Tim.

Edited by cooper997, 26 March 2018 - 07:58.

[Ray Bell]

I'll check the topography during the week...

I think it's crossing the grid area.

[Tim Murray]

The posts relating to the Sabakat have been moved to the new Sabakat thread.

[ReesMackay]

I am intrigued by the photo of the group of cars in Post 1. Could the red sportscar on the right be a Buchanan? Are there any entry lists?

I have yet to find the early history of my Buchanan (Body No 10) which was built in Queensland, and was originally red, before turning into a fastback GT and painted white.

Rees Mackay

[cooper997]

Rees, it will be worth your while to go back to page 1 of this thread and read the Racing Car News report posted by Ed Holly.

 

I went through it the other night and noted the names reported and Michell's TF Buchanan is mentioned,

 

As much as we'd like to find entry lists at this stage the only known are those shown in the page I posted from Australian Muscle Car magazine, but that relates to 1960.

 

If you find that your car is this one then drop a note in here, to help with the jigsaw..

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

From reading that report I'd say the red car is Wright's Aston Martin...

Would that be right?

Oh, and by the way, a small matter but one which might add to the colour of the event.

Jim Bertram told me that the year he raced there, 1961, the practice was on in the morning. Everyone then went to the 'Carnival of the Flowers' procession before returning to the circuit for the racing.



.

Edited by Ray Bell, 26 March 2018 - 12:32.

[Ray Bell]

Okay, so the task is to match the background of this shot:



By the lean on the trees we're looking for a section which is slightly downhill, with plenty of trees scattered in the background. There is a number on the road here, which I have taken to be something to do with the grid markings.

Looking at the area where the grid was is far from convincing. The density of scrub in the trees is impossible and seems to me to have been that way for many years. However, just up on the next step in the inclines down Stenner Street there's a stretch with a golf course in the background. Could this be it?

I still had to look at the parklands in Alderley Street, however, and they looked more promising all around...



Slightly downhill, well kept and cleared between the trees, room for cars to get in there as we see above.

Two mysteries, if this is it. One, the number on the roadway. The second... the driver is heading into the sun. How early did they start at Middle Ridge?

[Kenzclass]

I'm interested in why the right arm is up. At first look, it appears he's signalling a stop, in the manner of the era - is he gridding up? Or perhaps acknowledging the flag, or the crowd.

Are the two round, white objects visible behind the cars drum-type letterboxes? And is the elevated man standing on a substantial brick corner fence post, or what?

If it's a PM shot, then Ernie's heading pretty much due west on Stenner; I drove the circuit last Friday and that late afternoon sun hits you right in the eyes going down Stenner.

Next Tests:

Why stop at trying to identify just this one Sabakat at Middle Ridge shot?

There's the others that James posted yesterday in the Sabakat thread, as well. They seem to be taken in a much less vegetated area of the circuit, with the shadows running from left of car to right.

That might make them either AM in Rowbotham, or PM in Mackenzie.

Edited by Kenzclass, 27 March 2018 - 22:29.

[Ray Bell]

Yes, Kenz, the grid area is logical...

It could be that the area was substantially clearer than it is now, and certainly the stand of trees are there. But if that's the case, it's been left to overgrow ever since the sixties. There would have been no markings on the road, I wouldn't think, at the golf course section.

On the other hand, if practice was early, Alderley Street comes into play.

As for the others, I'd stick my neck out and say Mackenzie approaching Alderley in the afternoon. Just around the corner, in fact, from the Alderley Street parklands.

[Brian Lear]

I have been in contact with John Evans the author of the forthcoming book on the history of the Toowoomba Auto Club regarding the lack of the event in 1959. His response is summarised below.

 

In 1953, CAMS was formed in Australia by a couple of motor sporting clubs, including the Toowoomba Auto Club. Five years later, in 1958, the TAC withdrew from CAMS, as the Club's thought at the time was that CAMS was drawing away from the basic reason it was formed.

CAMS placed certain restrictions on the TAC, before the 1959 race meeting could be held, which made the meeting unviable. However, all was rectified for the running of the 1960 and 1961 events, including the Australian Hill Climb Championships in 1961.

All will be revealed in the book.

 

Brian Lear

 

[cooper997]

Brian, Thanks for adding the info from John.

 

Dick Willis is testing the water out on a Middle Ridge Customline photo over on Bob Williamson's facebook site. Given the car's colour it could well turn out to be Edsel Falconer. 

 

It may also be taken in a similar section of circuit to the Tadgell Sabakat.

 

Stephen

[Kenzclass]

Looking at that photo Dick has posted on Bob’s site, you’ll notice the same large gum tree with the distinctive white ‘blaze’ on its western face as in the Sabakat photo, in the background.
So, yes, it looks like that tree (and the Sabakat) is adjacent to the grid area.
And is the ‘elevated man’ in the Sabakat photo perhaps the starter (or a judge)?
Ray - time for you to become a Toowoomba ‘man of the trees’, perhaps?

Edited by Kenzclass, 28 March 2018 - 15:34.

[Dick Willis]

I have several more Middle Ridge pics from 1958 which I had intended to post on Bob's site but it is obviously more appropriate to have them here. The system of posting pics here however is beyond my limited skills so if one of you is willing for me to email them to you for posting here then let me know.

[ed holly]

Dick, Put them on Bob's site and I'll copy then transfer them here - or scan and email them to me and I'll do it that way if you like ... Ed

[eldougo]

I have been in contact with John Evans the author of the forthcoming book on the history of the Toowoomba Auto Club regarding the lack of the event in 1959. His response is summarised below.

 

In 1953, CAMS was formed in Australia by a couple of motor sporting clubs, including the Toowoomba Auto Club. Five years later, in 1958, the TAC withdrew from CAMS, as the Club's thought at the time was that CAMS was drawing away from the basic reason it was formed.

CAMS placed certain restrictions on the TAC, before the 1959 race meeting could be held, which made the meeting unviable. However, all was rectified for the running of the 1960 and 1961 events, including the Australian Hill Climb Championships in 1961.

All will be revealed in the book.

 

Brian Lear

Thanks for those details ,looking at that wording CAMS have always been at conflict with the people that set them up.NOTHING HAS CHANGED..

[Ray Bell]

1958/59 was a bad time for the CAMS and those who wanted to see it reasonable in its charge over motor sport...

They were embroiled in the 'Around Australia' trials issue where Ampol and Mobil sponsored the two events in the one year. CAMS became very heavy-handed in their treatment of those running the 'illegal' event and dished out some huge penalties (like lifetime bans) on some.

This is also the reason for the CAMS' confrontational and difficult dealings with Warwick Farm, as the people behind it were also behind the 'illegal' trial.

Perhaps the Toowoomba Auto Club were helpful in the running of that trial too? Many clubs around the country would have been. And no doubt the fact that they relied on the 'City Fathers' for support and a circuit on which to run, they had probably relied on their compliance with the CAMS to gain approvals in 1958 and foresaw difficulties in that department in 1959. Red tape prevailing.




.

Edited by Ray Bell, 28 March 2018 - 21:47.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Kenzclass
Looking at that photo Dick has posted on Bob’s site, you’ll notice the same large gum tree with the distinctive white ‘blaze’ on its western face as in the Sabakat photo, in the background.
So, yes, it looks like that tree (and the Sabakat) is adjacent to the grid area.
And is the ‘elevated man’ in the Sabakat photo perhaps the starter (or a judge)?
Ray - time for you to become a Toowoomba ‘man of the trees’, perhaps?

I will still be capable of checking that out until about 1pm today...

How do I get to see the pic?




.

Edited by Ray Bell, 28 March 2018 - 21:51.

[Kenzclass]

It’s a public Facebook site, Ray.
So, anyone can look, but not ‘like’ or comment, if a non-Facebooker.
Google ‘old motor racing photographs facebook’ and you’ll be in business.

Edited by Kenzclass, 28 March 2018 - 23:50.

[Ray Bell]

I've sent the pic on to Bob Trevan and Doug Partington, thanks for the help finding it...

They're the two blokes who remember seeing the car, so they'll undoubtedly confirm it was Falconer.

[Dick Willis]

Dick, Put them on Bob's site and I'll copy then transfer them here - or scan and email them to me and I'll do it that way if you like ... Ed

 

Thanks Ed, Stephen Dalton has volunteered to post them for me so thanks for the offer. Unfortunately there are no Lotus 20 pics among them as they 1958 pics

[cooper997]

Here's the first Middle Ridge grid photo from the Dick Willis collection. Note the grid numbers painted on the road.

 

 

Glyn Scott in his Repco-Holden

 

Thanks Dick for sharing with us.

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 19 April 2018 - 11:32.

[Ray Bell]

See how different it looks today?

This would be just before the start, around the rear of the grid...



...and this nearer the front of the grid, with overlap of course:



Being sixty years ago, some of the trees will have come and gone, of course, but you can see what I mean about the area being overgrown in the left side of the area. The clearing being done to the right (or Western) side is all new since I arrived there on Tuesday, it was all much the same then!

The land is known as 'Stenner Park' and it's being prepared for some kind of a bike track. Preparations were due to begin on March 20.

[Ray Bell]

repeated so the photos come out the right size

See how different it looks today?

This would be just before the start, around the rear of the grid...



...and this nearer the front of the grid, with overlap of course:



Being sixty years ago, some of the trees will have come and gone, of course, but you can see what I mean about the area being overgrown in the left side of the area. The clearing being done to the right (or Western) side is all new since I arrived there on Tuesday, it was all much the same then!

The land is known as 'Stenner Park' and it's being prepared for some kind of a bike track. Preparations were due to begin on March 20.

[cooper997]

Thanks for working out that area, Ray.

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 29 March 2018 - 12:01.

[cooper997]

Here's Chas Whatmore's Lotus XI on the Middle Ridge grid - photo courtesy of Dick Willis.

 

 

Thanks for this, Dick.

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 19 April 2018 - 11:28.

[Kenzclass]

And a bit more about the birth and demise of the Middle Ridge circuit in 'The Saga of Zac and Zim on Pages 10 and 11 in here:

https://www.ddvvmc.c...rag_2010_01.pdf

[Dick Willis]

I had forgotten about Zac and Zim until I saw Ken's reference above and a search through my archives discovered the Zac and Zim booklet with it's references to Middle Ridge as mentioned in the above link. while it gives some interesting insights to the circuit it is a pity some of the facts weren't researched properly.

[cooper997]

Thanks for that link, Ken. I'm another who had forgotten about the Zac & Zim feature. Although I only have a booklet photocopy Kiara Rizzo was kind enough to send several years ago..

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 05 April 2018 - 22:53.

[cooper997]

I've been made aware that John Evans, currently working on his Toowoomba Auto Club/ Middle Ridge book has been made aware of this thread. He's tried to join to potentially add to the conversation. At this stage he is having trouble getting on TNF though.

 

I'm also aware that he has gone to great lengths to find the history of Middle Ridge and the reasons why it was shortlived and why 1959 didn't happen. It would be re-miss of me to state too much at this stage (not that I know much). But would be great if John can get on TNF and share a few snippets without compromising his book content greatly.

 

In the meantime, I stumbled upon this Falconer Motors Toowoomba photo earlier tonight. Clearly taken long before Edsel and the Ford Falcon ever hit the Middle Ridge circuit in 1960.

 

 

Stephen

[Brian Lear]

I am reviving this thread to advise that the book covering the history of the Toowoomba Auto Club is currently at the printers and will be released

at the forthcoming Historic Leyburn Sprints over the weekend of 17 - 18 August 2019.

 

Along with the history of the Middle Ridge circuit the book covers the Prince Henry Drive hillclimb - scene of two Australian Hillclimb Championships

and the eleven year history of the Leyburn circuit, the scene of the 1949 Australian Grand Prix.

 

The book is 310 pages in A4 size and will sell for $30 plus postage.

 

Interested persons can contact the Author - John Evans by email to  pamjohnev@bigpond.com

[Ray Bell]

Eleven years at Leyburn?

That's a surprise...

[cooper997]

Here's a sneak preview of John Evans new book, set for release at Leyburn this weekend.

 

310 A4 pages of details relating to Qld motor sport $30 plus $15 post in Australia. To obtain, contact John via the email address and some other details listed in Brian Lear's post 88

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

Bob Trevan has sent this photo of the Falconer Customline at Middle Ridge: