High Speeds, Highlights and Hijinks
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High Speeds, Highlights and Hijinks Tralee Raceway A Short History of A Short Track Speedway John Maher The Smell of Things To Come and Petrol Fumes Tralee station consisted of around 3000 acres, situated on the NSW side of the border with the ACT, the property had been in the Morrison family since the early and was as well known for its sheep as it was for the entertainment provided by Dances held in its woolshed. 1968 Mr Bernie L. Morrison announced in the local papers that in conjunction with the Canberra Stock Car Club, that he had arranged for 50 acres of the to be converted to a speedway. It was to be modelled on the existing Liverpool Speedway and to be constructed at 40 feet wide and 86 yards long. The track and safety fences were estimated to cost $20,000. The Mt Ginn raceway has recently told the Canberra Stock Car Club consisting of 60 members and 43 cars their access to the track would soon cease. As early as 1967 names that raced Mt Ginn would become part of Tralee , included were Peter Gurbiel, Bob Swann, Peter Strudwicke, Vic Sykes, David Wignall, David Lewis, Keith Richardson, Phil Cancillier, and Ron Ulrich. 1969 construction of the track having received all necessary approvals was well under way and Peter Gurbeil of the Canberra Stock Car Club announced the formation of a Speedway association to promote and run racing at least once a month with hopes for twice a month. Construction Of The Buildings Nears Completion 1970 arrived and the track was ready to be opened. Final cost of first stage construction was reported at $100,000 dollars. Tralee Speedway Promotion Pty Ltd had been formed consisting of directors Mr Bernie Morrison, Mr Keith Nurse and Peter Gurbiel. The track was a D shaped dirt construction at 450yards (410 Metres) A big contingent of Sydney based drivers had been invited including Australian Champion Phil Page driving “Roaring Mouse” his hot Mini Cooper S along with Fred Langworth, current holder of the Sydney Stock Car Champion title. Also to appear were Sid Hopping in his GTS Monaro along with Max Kennerley‟s HD Holden. The Sydney team of 12 was to be captained by Ken Barlow. Canberra‟s team consisted of 7 drivers and interest in local Peter Strudwicke‟s appearance against the Sydney team was high. Max Butterworth, Champion of New Zealand headlined the TQ events. Seating to accommodate 4000 spectators had also been constructed and a crowd approaching 20,000 was anticipated. Entries reported at the time consisted of 19 stock cars, 15 speed cars, 12 TQ‟s, 12 Micro midgets and 8 production sedans, to contest the 30 event program. 14 motorcycles were expected to open the program at 11 am with a series of handicap events. Bill Landels and John Langfield were inclined to provide plenty of excitement in their expected clash. The Bush Track of The Bush Capital had an interesting entry on the ACT side. The railway line you would pass under is the actual border of the ACT. Rev Heads Arrive & Racing Begins The day commenced at 9.30 am on Sunday 21st June 1970 with the opening officiated at by Mrs Helen Fraser MBE and Mr Bernard Morrison at 11am. A Crowd estimated at 10,000 people packed the bench‟s and banks at its inaugural meet and police reported traffic jams of 1 ½ miles take over and hour to clear after the meeting. People lined up as far back as the Sundown Drive Inn and the line can be seen in the aerial shot. Spectators braved “icy winds, dirt clods and the threat of rain” in what was typical of the speedway in the long memories of it‟s enthusiasts over the years. The dirt track and dirt roads into the speedway provided plenty of dust for the spectators. One that very first day, Ken Barlow raced his V8 VW to victory in the 20 lap race after a fierce battle with Peter Gurbiel. Allan Cullinger won the feature Sedan race, Max Kennerley Second and Rick Hunter third. A. Owens won the first production sedan race in his FC Holden, Rick Hunter and Max Kennerley faced off in what was to become a great rivalry. Kennerley drove his No 18 HD Holden to take the flag from Hunter driving his No 16 Falcon. Roger Emmerton won his first match and Terry Pulford took out the first 5 Lap dash. The Feature Race in speed cars of 10 laps was won by Max Butterworth Wayne Evers claimed the first Midget race of 5 laps. Bradburn took the first Micro Midget race, Ken Mankey claimed the first T.Q. race John Langfield won the first Solo motorcycle race, David House, Bill Martin, Peter Taunton, Keith Richardson, Rob Swann, Phil McCumisky, Ken Barlow, Bruce Maxwell, Geoff Bundy, Bob Mitchum, Arthur Briggs, Dick Calcott, Sid Hopping, and Gordon Rundle all commenced their association with the track that first meet. A big contingent of Sydney based drivers had been invited including Australian Champion Phil Page driving “Roaring Mouse” his hot Mini Cooper S along with Fred Langworth, current holder of the Sydney Stock Car Champion title. Also to appear were Sid Hopping in his GTS Monaro The sports risk became apparent when Ken Cornish spun out in front of Ron Shepherd who ploughed into him hurting Ken‟s knee, as a result he also became the first Ambulance transportee. 19 year old Ian Huckstep was sideswiped in car 110, crashed into the safety fence and ended upside down. He extricated himself and waved to the crowd to assure them he was OK. Reports at this time estimated that 20 cars were in various stages of construction around the Queanbeyan District such was the appeal of the new track. Their aim was the $200 purse of the first ACT Stock Car Championship heats the very next month. Super Modifieds would maintain the interest in the meantime with appearances by twice Australian Champion Dick Britton in his Corvette Special, Barry Butterworth, Geoff Pickering and Bob Tunks. The Solos would see Bill Landels And Ted Linskog, arch rivals on the Sydney Circuit. Max Kennerley‟s HD Holden would reappear to contest the Saloon events. July came to a head with four cars all built and sponsored by Everlast Battery Service and driven by Employees Colin O‟Brien, Terry Pulford, Kevin Watts and Don Blewitt. Peter Gurbiels black ford would face the Assassin Bill Martin and Roger Emmerton. A Petrol strike made it necessary to arrange fuel for the Sydney Drivers to get here and then return Ray Oram, Brian Hanlon, Sid Middlemiss, Howard Revell, George Tanell, Barry Pinchbeck, Ron MacKay and Peter Boland would be among the names soon to be well known to locals . Drivers from Wollongong and Kembla Grange would appear to contest Kennerley, Ernie Parker and Gurbiel Bob Mitchum took his first ever victory flag in sprintcars at the track. Standard Saloons was claimed by John Laing in a Berco FJ with Bill Meyers winning the Solos for the night and Wally Fitzgerald claimed the B grade. Fred Seery, R Lorenz, G Rundle would all face Max Kennerley. Phil Cancillier would be mentioned in the papers for the first time after being t boned by A McLynn in a race with F. Tallirada and G. Kyile. Max Kennerley in August would claim the 10 lap race against Bob Swann, Alan Adams the 20 lap super modifieds. Dave Wignall would be noted in the papers for the first time in his FC and nearly beat Kennerly in their first contest. Dick Britton would win the 20 lap Sprinters event and John Lange would drive his Berco FJ to victory with Harry Shepherd of Queanbeyan and Reg Fawcett from Cootamundra filling the placings also drving FJ‟s. Bill Landells and T Dobson would win the Solos finals, D Lenon claimed the TQ handicap from Peter Taunton and E Buckley, with the Eight lap final falling to Peter Taunton, P. Collins And E. Buckley filling the places. Saloon contests witnessed Harry Shepherd and R. Owens both win heats the final taken by R Owens over R Wyeth and Bill Butler. Dick Britton would best D. Barry and P Dickerson in Super Modifieds and in the Modified Saloons Max Kennerley , Bob Swann would take heats, The final fell to Kennerley over Bob Swann and K Richardson John Lange would win the 15 lap feature for Standard Saloons over Harry Shepherd. This month would also see the debut of one of the first innovations by Harry Arthurson Of Berco when he took a Holden engine and arranged the cylinders to fire in pairs, essentially turning a six cylinder engine into a 3 cylinder engine, Howard Revell would test drive the engine, designed to improve acceleration for the tighter tracks. Ken Mankey would pilot the other latest innovation by Berco when a V Twin made its debut as well. August also saw the biggest field of Super Modifieds outside Sydney at the time when then NSW Super Modified Club presented 25 cars for the meet. Dick Britton would clash with Barry Butterworth, with Bob Tunks and Jeff Pickering to contest their superiority. Ladies from Goulburn would drive the Powder Puff Derby with Pam Grainger taking the flag and a 30 lap Modified Saloons event attracted 40 drivers. Barry Van Praag would break the solo track record. Harry Thynne would claim the feature and Kennerley with Danny McGuire the placings. A Special three way race would see Kennerley win with Thynne second and Wignall Third.