29 replies to this topic

[TerryS]

Vale Jim McKeown | V8 Sleuth

 

A fantastic driver. Because os sponsorship arrangements he was never allowed to compete against Beechey and the other big bangers.to show true value

[Porsche718]

Incredibly sad news. Condolences to his family, and to the many who were close to him.

 

A great driver. 

[Ray Bell]

He did show his true value...

 

He did great things in both Cortinas and Porsches. And there were times when the team was split up to go to different circuits on the same day, his famous battle with Moffat at Mallala was one of those days. Just the same as Skinny was sent to Baskerville without the rest of the team.

[lyntonh]

 

Jim McKeown in the 911S at the Farm in 1970, and at Bathurst at Easter 1972 in the short-lived Alfa GTV.

Edited by lyntonh, 23 May 2023 - 10:50.

[lyntonh]

Jim McKeown in the Charger at Oran Park in 1971.

Edited by lyntonh, 23 May 2023 - 11:37.

[Ray Bell]

Well done, Lynton...

 

That Charger is well-placed in that pic, behind Bob Morris, I think that's Leo coming alongside of him. Or Chivo? Arnold Ahrenfeld, perhaps, in the Torana?

 

As I recall, he shared that Charger with Beechey.

[lyntonh]

Well done, Lynton...

 

That Charger is well-placed in that pic, behind Bob Morris, I think that's Leo coming alongside of him. Or Chivo? Arnold Ahrenfeld, perhaps, in the Torana?

 

As I recall, he shared that Charger with Beechey.

Yes, the lucky dip set that shot up well for me.

You're pretty close with the names, considering the brief opportunity you had to look at it.

 

Morris, McKeown, Chivas, Scott McNaughton and Tony Allen is how it turned out after a deeper investigation.

 

Those group photos can be quite curly for identifying the half-obscured stragglers. 😉

[GreenMachine]

Anyone else not seeing the photos?  Not even any hint that there is a photo there 

[lyntonh]

Anyone else not seeing the photos?  Not even any hint that there is a photo there 

If you check in the Forum's section on technical problems, there is a bug causing some browsers not to show photos.

 

I'm not seeing them on iPad Safari but it's OK on Firefox, and I can see them on my laptop.

 

Someone at the admin level is chasing it down.

Edited by lyntonh, 23 May 2023 - 21:55.

[ellrosso]

RIP Jim McKeown and condolences to his family and friends. Here are a few images from his career. In the shadow of Norm Beechey during the mid to late 60's, Jim's career really took off with the 1st Porsche 911S. I was at the 1970 Symmons ATCC round he won - really wet day and he didn't put a foot wrong.

I was so pleased for him at the time as it was his first really major win (to my knowledge at least).  Check out some of the faces in the b/ground of the Symmons victory interview - Moffat, Margaret Beechey, Lou Mallia....

The Lotus Cortina Mk2 shot at Calder is my favourite though, tail well out (Friday practice), Jim has a huge grin on his face - just having fun. Great stuff.

[Ray Bell]

Good to finally see a photo of the Jewitt...

 

That Catalina, by the way, was the one I missed, I'm pretty sure. Everyone remembers terrible weather at Catalina, but from May 1963 to the end there was only one bad race day. Practice days, of course, were often quite different.

[TerryS]

Some early Jim photos from Autopics:

 

61406 - Jim McKeown, Jewitt Holden - Templestowe 1961 - Photographer Peter D'Abbs - AUTOPICS

 

 

62426 - Jim McKeown, Jewitt Holden - Sandown 1962 - Photographer Peter DAbbs - AUTOPICS

 

 

 

60124 - Jim McKeown, Holden, Pete Geoghegan, Jaguar, George Reynolds, VW Norm Beechy, Holden - Phillip Island 18th September 1960 - Photographer Peter D'Abbs - AUTOPICS

 

60014 - Jim McKeown, Holden FX & Pete Geoghegan, Jaguar - Phillip Island 1960 - Photographer Peter DAbbs - AUTOPICS

Edited by TerryS, 25 May 2023 - 01:12.

[Porsche718]

Can these most recent photos be reposted using "postimage".

 

Nothing is showing with any browser. I have Opera, Chrome and Firefox. 

 

These pics will only come up on my phone.

[TerryS]

Can these most recent photos be reposted using "postimage".

 

Nothing is showing with any browser. I have Opera, Chrome and Firefox. 

 

These pics will only come up on my phone.

 

They are showing ok on both my laptop and IPad. I always check before signing off.

[Tim Murray]

There is a current problem with non-visibility of photos. Some people can see them, others can’t. It appears to depend on which browser you’re using to view the forums. The tech people are aware of the problem and are working on a fix. Here’s the thread discussing the situation in the Website Feedback forum:

Invisible photos

[Porsche718]

Thanks Tim

[JackburtonF1]

There is a current problem with non-visibility of photos. Some people can see them, others can’t. It appears to depend on which browser you’re using to view the forums. The tech people are aware of the problem and are working on a fix. Here’s the thread discussing the situation in the Website Feedback forum:

Invisible photos

Insomnia rules ….. 😄😄😄

[Porsche718]

I hope this helps someone (maybe give a hint to the developers).

 

I have found a workaround.

 

Go to a post that should have a photo in the post.

 

Right click and select from the bottom of the menu "inspect element".

 

Two boxes will open on the right of the screen.

 

In the top box select "Sources" and left-click.

 

There will be a list (about 10 - 12) of sources used to assemble that post.

 

One will be the picture hosting app (eg - i.postimg.cc). Left click and a list of photos will appear.

 

Left-click on each (it will be letter numeric format).

 

Another link will appear immediately below quoting photo tag given by the poster.

 

Left-click and the photo will appear in preview.

 

Right-click on the photo, select "open image in new tab" and "voila" you have your photo!

 

Sounds complicated but - not really 

 

Yes, I know what you're saying - I need to get out more!

[Paul Newby]

RIP Jim.

 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jim back in 2018 with the assistance of his son Dean about the XT Falcon GT Auto that he raced with Spencer Martin at Bathurst 1968. However, I was probably more interested in his abortive 1972 ATCC campaign in an Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV - never was so much promised but so little delivered by Alfa Romeo Australia....

 

[MarkBisset]

Interesting Paul,

 

What did AR Oz promise him for '72?

 

Knowing nothing about the regs I guess the 1750 GTAm wasn't kosher? If it was Brian Foley would have run his...

 

m

[lyntonh]

Interesting Paul,

 

What did AR Oz promise him for '72?

 

Knowing nothing about the regs I guess the 1750 GTAm wasn't kosher? If it was Brian Foley would have run his...

 

m

As a reminder of the car, this photo of mine from practice at the ATCC round at Bathurst in 1972

shows the car in its undecorated form, the team having run out of time to complete the 

'yellow' livery mentioned in the race programme.

Edited by lyntonh, 05 June 2023 - 13:37.

[MarkBisset]

Thanks Lynton,

 

Quick look on Wiki, I see CAMS introduced a 2-litre class that year, Mike Stillwell dominated that with his fantastic BDA powered Escort.

 

Even a 'full-house' Autodelta built Group C 2-litre GTV would have struggled against that? I wonder what spec McKeown's car was? and who built it.

 

Quite a few of these ex-ATCC Alfa 105s ended up in AROCA/MSCA et al club competition, I wonder if Jim's is one of them. One for Rob Bailey who ran one of them...

 

m

 

 

Calder 1972 non-ATCC round (McKeown Family Collection)

Edited by MarkBisset, 06 June 2023 - 04:48.

[Paul Newby]

This is what I wrote for Amatori Alfa - the NSW Alfa Romeo Club magazine back in 2018:

 

When it comes to the motor racing history of Alfa Romeos in Australia, plenty of words have been written about the Alec Mildren racing GTA and GTVs, The Group C 105s and Alfettas and the GTV6s of Colin Bond and co in Group A. However there is one name that has all but been written out of the history books, yet without this racer and his recalcitrant car there would be no 105 series 2000 GTVs in historic class Group Nc.

 

Jim McKeown is best known for his exploits in Neptune/Shell sponsored Lotus Cortinas and Porsche 911s. In the later he finished a close runner up in the 1970 Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC). However it was only a matter of time before the Porsche 911 was banned from the Improved Production class that raced in the ATCC. This left McKeown in a predicament – what to race in 1972, which would be the final year of Improved Production. There was talk of a Mustang but then unexpectedly a manufacturer fell into his lap…

 

“Alfa Romeo (Australia) went to see Terry Molloy, my boss at Shell,” remembers McKeown today. “They said they would give me a car. Shell gave us the money. I was promised parts from Autodelta – suspension parts including something to do with the rear end. But the parts didn’t turn up.”

 

Having raced against Brian Foley in his trick 1750 GTAm, McKeown thought that he would be getting something equally special. As it turned out, it was just a 2000 GTV, but remember this was early 1972. The 2000 had only been released in October 1971 and was destined to arrive in Australia in August 1972. So a left hand GTV was sourced from New Caledonia and McKeown’s crew, with zero knowledge and zero parts tried to prepare it for the opening round of the ATCC at Symmons Plains, Tasmania in March. It would turn out to be a disaster.

 

 “We took it to Tasmania in one of those twin boom aeroplanes for some reason. (The crew were late finishing building the car.) We broke the windscreen in the race It had a zone toughened windscreen and not a laminated one. We had been working all night to prepare the car and didn’t bother to check. I thought a sporty car from Europe would have a laminated one. It was very embarrassing.

 

McKeown would be a non-starter at the next round at Calder Raceway in Melbourne due to engine issues.

 

The Alfa Romeo did make it the third round of the ATCC held at the Bathurst Easter meeting. Dubbed one of the greatest races in Australian history, it saw the “big four” – Allan Moffat’s Trans-Am Mustang, Norm Beechey’s HT Monaro 350, Ian Geoghegan’s Super Falcon and Bob Jane’s 350 Camaro do battle for outright honours. Everyone else was just making up the numbers including McKeown who was lapped but did manage to finish seventh outright behind a couple of large Standard Production cars and Mike Stillwell’s Ford Escort RS1600.

 

Despite this result things hadn’t really progressed with the car. It was too heavy and the engine lacked development.

 

“I even visited Allan Moffat’s mate Horst Kwech workshop in America (the expatriate Australian who raced GTAs and GTVs in the Trans-Am.) It was a pretty big set up. They had all the bits that we need.”

 

“We persevered, but it was difficult against the Escort. The Alfa was a bit heavy. Engine builder ‘Tubby’ Ritter fitted high compression pistons and cams but with its long stroke we couldn’t get it to rev. Also we never got the good (Autodelta) gear like the promised close-ratio gearbox.

 

The biggest change to the GTV at round four at Sandown was the colour from Alfa red to Shell yellow. But it made no difference. McKeown retired with what Racing Car News called a ‘broken rocker.’ Mmm, maybe that isn’t quite correct but it was an engine issue nonetheless. Things didn’t improve at the next round at Adelaide with another engine related DNF. Still, Peter Brown in a sister 2000 GTV (also LHD) managed to finish the race albeit a long way behind Stillwell’s Escort.

 

At a non championship race at Calder between Sandown and Adelaide, McKeown bought out his old Porsche and finished second to Bob Jane’s Camaro. The Alfa was there as well, but it was only making up the numbers.

 

McKeown felt really let down by Alfa Romeo Australia, who seemed to underestimate what was required to race competitively in the ATCC. Disillusioned  he quit after the Adelaide round.

 

“It wasn’t working out,” was McKeown’s explanation. “Alfa took the car back. I was glad to see the back of it. It was all a bit disappointing.”

 

McKeown doesn’t know what became of the first 2000 GTV to land in Australia, though the second car was likely retained by Peter Brown. It is possible that Alfa Romeo Australia quietly disposed of the car – airbrushing it from their illustrious local racing history. Maybe it went back to New Caledonia?

 

In 1973 Group C replaced both the Improved Production Class and the Standard Production Class. These new regulations would be much kinder to the 2000 GTV, and the model would enjoy five years of class winning glory in both the ATCC and at Bathurst.

 

 

 

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Paul Newby
..... without this racer and his recalcitrant car there would be no 105 series 2000 GTVs in historic class Group Nc.....

I think you shot yourself in the foot here, Paul...

.....Still, Peter Brown in a sister 2000 GTV (also LHD) managed to finish the race albeit a long way behind Stillwell’s Escort.....

...as that car also fits within the regulations:

Group Nc is an historic group introduced on 1 January, 1995, to cater primarily for vehicles of a year, make and model
which competed in Australia between 1 January, 1965, and 31 December, 1972 in either the Australian Touring Car
Championship or races specifically for 3rd Category Group C Improved Production Touring Cars and Series
Production Touring Cars.

The Group Nc rules have been established to enable competition under a common set of rules which reflect the nature
of touring car racing in the period.

We all miss some small points, as you note with the RCN mention of a broken rocker. I have to say though, had that error been in the following month's issue it would never have been missed.

Also, Paul, after a couple of attempts to get a response from you via a PM, I'm asking here: Can you please e.mail me?

[Lola5000]

This is what I wrote for Amatori Alfa - the NSW Alfa Romeo Club magazine back in 2018:

 

When it comes to the motor racing history of Alfa Romeos in Australia, plenty of words have been written about the Alec Mildren racing GTA and GTVs, The Group C 105s and Alfettas and the GTV6s of Colin Bond and co in Group A. However there is one name that has all but been written out of the history books, yet without this racer and his recalcitrant car there would be no 105 series 2000 GTVs in historic class Group Nc.

 

Jim McKeown is best known for his exploits in Neptune/Shell sponsored Lotus Cortinas and Porsche 911s. In the later he finished a close runner up in the 1970 Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC). However it was only a matter of time before the Porsche 911 was banned from the Improved Production class that raced in the ATCC. This left McKeown in a predicament – what to race in 1972, which would be the final year of Improved Production. There was talk of a Mustang but then unexpectedly a manufacturer fell into his lap…

 

“Alfa Romeo (Australia) went to see Terry Molloy, my boss at Shell,” remembers McKeown today. “They said they would give me a car. Shell gave us the money. I was promised parts from Autodelta – suspension parts including something to do with the rear end. But the parts didn’t turn up.”

 

Having raced against Brian Foley in his trick 1750 GTAm, McKeown thought that he would be getting something equally special. As it turned out, it was just a 2000 GTV, but remember this was early 1972. The 2000 had only been released in October 1971 and was destined to arrive in Australia in August 1972. So a left hand GTV was sourced from New Caledonia and McKeown’s crew, with zero knowledge and zero parts tried to prepare it for the opening round of the ATCC at Symmons Plains, Tasmania in March. It would turn out to be a disaster.

 

 “We took it to Tasmania in one of those twin boom aeroplanes for some reason. (The crew were late finishing building the car.) We broke the windscreen in the race It had a zone toughened windscreen and not a laminated one. We had been working all night to prepare the car and didn’t bother to check. I thought a sporty car from Europe would have a laminated one. It was very embarrassing.

 

McKeown would be a non-starter at the next round at Calder Raceway in Melbourne due to engine issues.

 

The Alfa Romeo did make it the third round of the ATCC held at the Bathurst Easter meeting. Dubbed one of the greatest races in Australian history, it saw the “big four” – Allan Moffat’s Trans-Am Mustang, Norm Beechey’s HT Monaro 350, Ian Geoghegan’s Super Falcon and Bob Jane’s 350 Camaro do battle for outright honours. Everyone else was just making up the numbers including McKeown who was lapped but did manage to finish seventh outright behind a couple of large Standard Production cars and Mike Stillwell’s Ford Escort RS1600.

 

Despite this result things hadn’t really progressed with the car. It was too heavy and the engine lacked development.

 

“I even visited Allan Moffat’s mate Horst Kwech workshop in America (the expatriate Australian who raced GTAs and GTVs in the Trans-Am.) It was a pretty big set up. They had all the bits that we need.”

 

“We persevered, but it was difficult against the Escort. The Alfa was a bit heavy. Engine builder ‘Tubby’ Ritter fitted high compression pistons and cams but with its long stroke we couldn’t get it to rev. Also we never got the good (Autodelta) gear like the promised close-ratio gearbox.

 

The biggest change to the GTV at round four at Sandown was the colour from Alfa red to Shell yellow. But it made no difference. McKeown retired with what Racing Car News called a ‘broken rocker.’ Mmm, maybe that isn’t quite correct but it was an engine issue nonetheless. Things didn’t improve at the next round at Adelaide with another engine related DNF. Still, Peter Brown in a sister 2000 GTV (also LHD) managed to finish the race albeit a long way behind Stillwell’s Escort.

 

At a non championship race at Calder between Sandown and Adelaide, McKeown bought out his old Porsche and finished second to Bob Jane’s Camaro. The Alfa was there as well, but it was only making up the numbers.

 

McKeown felt really let down by Alfa Romeo Australia, who seemed to underestimate what was required to race competitively in the ATCC. Disillusioned  he quit after the Adelaide round.

 

“It wasn’t working out,” was McKeown’s explanation. “Alfa took the car back. I was glad to see the back of it. It was all a bit disappointing.”

 

McKeown doesn’t know what became of the first 2000 GTV to land in Australia, though the second car was likely retained by Peter Brown. It is possible that Alfa Romeo Australia quietly disposed of the car – airbrushing it from their illustrious local racing history. Maybe it went back to New Caledonia?

 

In 1973 Group C replaced both the Improved Production Class and the Standard Production Class. These new regulations would be much kinder to the 2000 GTV, and the model would enjoy five years of class winning glory in both the ATCC and at Bathurst.

One GTV2000 that seems to have slipped through the net and  what happened to it .  Is the Ritter LHD car alive ?

[Lola5000]

Thanks Lynton,

 

Quick look on Wiki, I see CAMS introduced a 2-litre class that year, Mike Stillwell dominated that with his fantastic BDA powered Escort.

 

Even a 'full-house' Autodelta built Group C 2-litre GTV would have struggled against that? I wonder what spec McKeown's car was? and who built it.

 

Quite a few of these ex-ATCC Alfa 105s ended up in AROCA/MSCA et al club competition, I wonder if Jim's is one of them. One for Rob Bailey who ran one of them...

 

m

 

 

Calder 1972 non-ATCC round (McKeown Family Collection)

Mine was the ex factory car Gibson raced in the '75 ATCC ,Bell Bathurst 1,000 car '77, I understand nearly restored in Melbourne to its '77 colors .

 

The one Jeff Harrison had the white car , was destroyed in a road crash.

[ellrosso]

Couple from Syms ATCC 1972. I was there actually - pretty sad state of affairs for the Syms 1970 round winner in the 911S...

[Lola5000]

Jim bought new , one of the 1st Generation Porsche 996 GT3 Clubsports ,I think he might have done one or two race meetings with it ? Before it was sold .

[Tim Murray]

The posts which didn’t relate at all to Jim McKeown have been moved to the new Alfa 2000 GTV thread. A couple of other posts have been removed as they no longer made sense.

[Porsche718]

Thanks Tim