527 replies to this topic

[repcobrabham]

where's that thread about racing in the soviet union?

[David Shaw]

Sorry to go off topic but I thought this thread might be the best place to ask as Stan might know the answer, even though I am sure he wasn't there on this particular occasion. Somebody else may even have the answer.

I have seen a photo from the 1962 Armstrong 500 at Phillip Island of four XL Falcons rounding a left-hand bend. On the outside of the corner is a sign for Armstong Shock Absorbers. I am not sure which corner this would be, but I am thinking that it looks like Siberia. Would somebody know which corner this would be please?

As it is not a photo of mine, I don't want to actually post the picture.








Edit: Bad grammar.

[Stan Patterson]

Makes things a bit difficult David,

However, the left hand corners are all relativley easy to identify by topography and background. In order they are - Southern Loop on a summit vertical curve, Siberia flat then rising, Lukey Heights a very pronounced summit vertical curve and of course the charmingly named "Copse" , (pure Galsworthy), which was the climb up from Lanes Corner and sweeping onto the main straight...

By a process of deduction and from the information suppled, I would nominate Siberia...

I wanted to consult the Brigadier's military maps but they have been in use in the locked committe/planning room for some weeks.

And, you are right, of course, I would not have pestered my father or older brother to drive me 90 miles to watch a touring car race.

Stan

[David Shaw]

I understand Lanes Corner is also known as MG. There is one you forgot however, the turn after Southern Loop of which I can't recall it ever being named, the same as the first corner.

I was asking sans photo in the hope that you possibly referred to one of the corners as Armstrong. I may be able to provide a link to the photo at some stage, I will see how I go.






Edit: Additional information.

[Ray Bell]

e.mail me the pic, David... I'll pick it out for you...

Lanes were the MG agents, IIRC.

And the long sweeping left hander after Southern Loop was known as Shell Corner through the seventies.

[Stan Patterson]

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

This may be slightly off-topic, but I am triyng to locate a copy of Australian Motor Sport from the first half of
1960. - I am not sure of the exact month.

The front cover features a superb photograph of Doug Whiteford's 300S under heavy breaking on the downhill approach to Lanes Corner at Phillip Island.

I would be willing to pay a good price for a copy or, if that is not possible, I would like to get my hands on a copy of the front cover picture.

Can anybody help please?

Stan

[cosworth bdg]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
e.mail me the pic, David... I'll pick it out for you...

Lanes were the MG agents, IIRC.

And the long sweeping left hander after Southern Loop was known as Shell Corner through the seventies.

Just a matter of interest, Lanes are now part of the Mercedes Benz Germany group.......my brother in law was with Lanes for 45yrs before retireing recently.............

[David Shaw]

You might like to try Motor Book World in Canterbury, Stan
http://www.carsonlin...au/motor_bk.htm
as they have a fantastic collection of magazines and books from that era.



EDIT: I just noticed they have moved from Camberwell to Canterbury.

[David McKinney]

...but your pic is not on any 1960 front cover of AMS, Stan
I'll have a look at some other years later

[Ray Bell]

That sounds like it might be a Peter D'Abbs photo...

I wonder if you can still access them? I certainly hope so, the quality of his work was first class.

[David McKinney]

Stan
I think the photo you're looking for is from the front cover of the March 1958 copy of AMS - quite a close cockpit shot.
Unfortunately my scanner's stopped working, and in any case being part of a bound volume would not make for easy placement on a flatbed.
But the date might help you trace the original.
And yes, Ray, it is by Peter D'Abbs

[Stan Patterson]

Thank You David & David

Yes you are correct David McK...after your posting earlier, I remembered it was on one of the original "yellow' coloured front cover issues and not the updated mauve and yellow colour scheme that appeared early in 1960.

At least I now have the date ..thank you very much for going to the trouble.

........and isnt it a superb photograph ?......I have never forgotten it.

Stan

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by David McKinney
.....Unfortunately my scanner's stopped working, and in any case being part of a bound volume would not make for easy placement on a flatbed.....

A digital photo of it in natural light will do the trick...

I haven't used a scanner in ages.

[275 GTB-4]

Heres a shot taken by a fella at work....Glenn certainly has an eye for a good shot. Is there a possible Australian Historic racing connection for the Jag (?) or have I got all excited over another replica

[Ray Bell]

What's the last town on the way to Temora?

Who owns a D-Type and lives in that town?

[nivola]

i want the other 12 cylinder in the pic for christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stan Patterson]

Is that a GTHO or a Vauxhall Viva?..oh wow graps my cheque book writes $650,000

When did touring car racing have such glamour

Did Peter Brock win WW2?

[Ray Bell]

Come on, Stan, you've got a lot to contribute...

Don't tear it all apart instead.

[fines]

Originally posted by Stan Patterson
Is that a GTHO or a Vauxhall Viva?..oh wow graps my cheque book writes $650,000

When did touring car racing have such glamour

Did Peter Brock win WW2?

[Ray Bell]

You figured it out, didn't you Michael?

Brock was born seven months after D-Day...

[Stan Patterson]

Ray,

We dont know or care when touring car drivers were born or not born......it is not material..and of no use to anybody except Simpson devotees

I have been to Lex Davison's grave....

and my anger wells

God Help Us

STAN

[Ray Bell]

Been up to Ngambie lately, Stan?

The First Lady of Australian Motor Racing might give you an audience...

And I'm not saying that tongue in cheek, by the way. She's a great old lady and has very often demonstrated her grace and poise in that position. What a shame she lost her boy, Anthony was a great fellow... did you know him?

[repcobrabham]

aren't both the davison boys driving supercars?

[John Ellacott]

The D type is owned by Keith Berryman and certainly has a great Australian racing history being the Bill Pitt then Leaton Motors car driven by Frank Matich , Doug Chivas and Barry Topen.
One day I will be clever nough to post my photos.

[Peter Brennan]

John has a great collection pictures.I meet him a couple of years ago at a race meet where he presented me some fantastic shots of my Elfin Traco being delivered brand new to Frank Matich.Thank you John.

[Stan Patterson]

No Ray,

Sorry, I didnt see your question.............I never knew any of the Davisons although I did know a very well-known Lilydale identity back in the 90's who often would tell me Davison stories over dinner. Usually they involved high speed illegal street races in Austin Healys and the like.

I last visited Box Hill Cemetary in Easter of this year and was surpised and saddened to see the oldest son's grave next to his fathers...quite moving...actually it was very moving.

I have only been there twice and each time in the quietness of it all, I reflect this is where that huge crowd containing all our heroes must have stood back in 1965.

Anyway enough morbid talk...

Stan

[cosworth bdg]

Originally posted by repcobrabham
aren't both the davison boys driving supercars?

Unfortunately the answer to that question is YES............ how times for that family have changed greatly.....

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Stan Patterson
.....I last visited Box Hill Cemetary in Easter of this year and was surpised and saddened to see the oldest son's grave next to his fathers...quite moving...actually it was very moving.

I have only been there twice and each time in the quietness of it all, I reflect this is where that huge crowd containing all our heroes must have stood back in 1965.....

Yes, with the business of getting to Tasmania at hand, the rush and bustle of the previous three or eight weeks having drained them somewhat, and the overbearing shock of what happened at Sandown... of Max Newbold running around as he did telling people that Lex had a heart attack... and the many obituaries...

What I am really please about is that I got to spend a couple of hours in serious discussion with Anthony about those days when he was at Lakeside helping out... I think it was Alex... about a year before he died. He told me so much, and Lyn Archer expanded on that when I spoke to him, I got a really good feel for what went down that day at Longford, how difficult it was for Anthony and for Rocky, and how Rocky made the wrong decision and how lousy it was for everyone after.

Yet through it all the strength of that family stood out. Just a few weeks later I heard the speech that Diana made at Bathurst. It was then that I decided that she was 'the First Lady' and she has been ever since.

But Stan, it gets worse. With your sometimes arrogant, sometimes ignorant and always frustrating hatred of the tintops, you might like to know that the trophy she presented that day has probably gone missing.

No, not the Lex Davison Trophy that Anthony was there to see announced and presented for the AGP at Longford (what a thing to have to do on that day! He was just a kid!), but the one that the First Lady presented for the winner of the main openwheeler race at Bathurst's Easter meeting each year.

An important trophy, in my view. And a great moment in time.

I will never forget driving past Lex in his Mainline the day before he died. I will never forget hearing on the radio that he'd been killed as we drove to the circuit on the Saturday. I will never forget Ron McKinnon's announcement of Rocky's death over the radio and circuit PA system. Moments indelibly recorded. But moments which led to that announcement by Diana which bordered on inspiring.