'EKKA'; 1960

[QuadCam]

Peter Dykes was a great guy and a natural race car driver. He was the one responsible for getting David Grubnic's driving career started. When we were first introduced to David he brought with him a reference from Peter which carried a lot of weight.

Chris McGee.

When we raced with Peter he would often share with us some stories of the days he raced solos in England with team mates Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs and Ronnie Moore, who were also some over achievers that came from NZ!

[spoggie]

In hindsight I feel I could have done better by prefacing this thread with a notice that images of persons since deceased will appear here. No offence is intended.

[spoggie]

__________________________________________________

[spoggie]

1960/ 61 Season;

May 14;

[324dor]

Found the photo that I mentioned earlier of the Peter Dykes driven AA Fueler.
Sponsorship was from Gus McGlure Autos. Gus sold plenty of high performance cars from his yard at Holland Park on Brisbanes southside.
He was also another local Speedcar driver.
Another local Speedcar ace Blair Shepherd had a similar car yard near the Royal Brisbane Hospital on the northside of town.


Ken.

[spoggie]

Very American looking kit there Ken. I'd imagine right up to current design standards of the time.

[spoggie]

The collection is largely (95%) correct, though not entirely correct, in a chronological sense.
Just the two programmes from May 14 and 21 in the 1960 year. The collection intensifies as it finds the 1961 season.










The handwritten 1.2.3 result written above is I suspect, the results of the stock car race (below);

[spoggie]

Book 1;

[Nailhead Bucket]

Notice how the newspapers carried reports of general speedway interest back then. If you missed a meeting you could always read about it in Mondays' papers.
How things have changed.

[QuadCam]

I remember multi page supplements in the Friday papers leading up to the big international events. There would always be results on Sundays and a big wreck would often make the front page.

Very different now, even over here in the US.

Chris McGee

[Cool 32]

We must be lucky then, here in WA the daily West Australian on a Wednesday in the motoring section has a full page on local speedway with a little bit occasionally on interstate and sometimes international where Aussies are concerned and usually a half page on drag racing.

[Nailhead Bucket]

With the advent of specialty publications and the immediacy of motor racing forums, facebook etc. I guess the general media is of no consequence to established fans. The only use the meedja serves is to prick the interest of people who otherwise wouldn't be privvy to the sport and may get converted.
God knows I'd hate to see the sensational BS that stick-and-ball sport gets, turned on to motorsport. And the drunks and yobbos it attracts. Yep, I like it the way it is, a nice private little sport which is a best kept secret to the few.
Only problem is, it doesn't pay the bills.

[spoggie]

Apologies all- having big problems with file order, big mess. Hope to be back soon, I'm not sure how long this will take. Bloody computers .

[spoggie]

Apologies in advance, this first book is messy in a chronological sense. However I feel it is worthwhile to present it as I can;

Six clippings from the '61- '62 season;










These 1 column articles may require a magnifying glass..

[324dor]

In clipping 2 above there's reference to a stockcar driver-- Cor Marcus.
His wife was one of my teachers at Cavendish Road High School.
Ken.