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Post by pallmall on Jan 23, 2009 15:39:11 GMT 12
On Saturday night, January 24th 1959, 50 years ago tomorrow as I write this, Des McCollum was fatally injured in a stock car race at Auckland's Epsom Showgrounds track. Des had recently returned from Australia where he was one of the eight NZ drivers who had beaten Australia in stockcar teams races at the Sydney Showground, the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, and Toowoomba Speedway. The week before the crash Des was a very close runner up to Bill Culver in the 1959 NZ Stockcar championship. Des was racing against the visiting Australian team in the first of three test matches, when on the second lap his car was clipped and rolled, while the car was airborne it was hit by another car and the body and roll cage was ripped from the chassis. Des started racing stockcars at the Epsom track in the 1955-56 season and had been one of the top racers and a huge crowd favourite. RIP Des McCollum.  The NZ Team before leaving for Australia November 1958. Des is 3rd from left.  Probably the last photograph taken of the McCollum car as it lines up on the track for the first test match against Australia. The 29 car is Johnny Riley.  Below are 2 pages remembering Des from the Historic Stockcar Club of NZ "Siderail" publication.   (All photos from the Hisconz archives) |
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Post by Roger Ex 35A on Jan 23, 2009 20:05:57 GMT 12
On Saturday night, January 24th 1959, 50 years ago tomorrow as I write this, Des McCollum was fatally injured in a stock car race at Auckland's Epsom Showgrounds track. Hi Pallmall That was the very first Stockcar meeting that my late Dad took me to, seems so long ago & probably is. RIP Des. I think Peter Wheaton was also racing then, met him some time later at West Coast Motors in Glen Eden, them were the days  |
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Post by pallmall on Jan 23, 2009 20:34:01 GMT 12
Roger,
Yes, Peter Wheaton was racing then, and was in the New Zealand team that night, and on the Australian tour. I think Peter was amongst a few drivers that never raced again after the accident.
Peter is on the far right in the team photo.
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Post by Roger Ex 35A on Jan 23, 2009 21:07:55 GMT 12
Roger, Yes, Peter Wheaton was racing then, and was in the New Zealand team that night, and on the Australian tour. I think Peter was amongst a few drivers that never raced again after the accident. Peter is on the far right in the team photo. Thanks pallmall. I seem to recall maybe John Bernard (he worked for Peter at West Coast Motors) might have been racing as well, he lost a leg in an accident & then later lost his life with Paul Hunt a very gifted Modified driver in a truck accident on the way to Huntly both worked for James Davern House Movers. RIP Paul & John. |
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Post by westford on Jan 25, 2009 10:26:35 GMT 12
R I P Des McCollum
Could he have been the only kiwi to have been killed
while representing his country in sport ?
By the way great article in the NZ Rodder Pallmall.
I never get tired of reading and hearing about this
wonderful era in our sport.
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Post by johnf on Jan 25, 2009 20:55:51 GMT 12
Hi Roger
John Bernard lost both his legs in an accident at the Epsom track. His car crashed into the fence, John then hoped out and made a dash for the infield(a common practice then) sadly he was stuck by another car.
As you said he and Paul passed away together. Paul could certainly throw his mod around WP. Paul's dad still goes to WP on the odd occasion but you may see him at WS.
John Farndon
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Post by Roger Ex 35A on Jan 25, 2009 21:19:33 GMT 12
Hi Roger John Bernard lost both his legs in an accident at the Epsom track. His car crashed into the fence, John then hoped out and made a dash for the infield(a common practice then) sadly he was stuck by another car. As you said he and Paul passed away together. Paul could certainly throw his mod around WP. Paul's dad still goes to WP on the odd occasion but you may see him at WS. John Farndon Thanks John for that info. Ken (Pauls father) used to come into my business & purchase timber etc, I believe he was the property manager for James Davern Building Removals & a very nice guy to. |
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Post by pallmall on Apr 16, 2009 12:57:47 GMT 12
Hi Roger John Bernard lost both his legs in an accident at the Epsom track. His car crashed into the fence, John then hoped out and made a dash for the infield(a common practice then) sadly he was stuck by another car. As you said he and Paul passed away together. Paul could certainly throw his mod around WP. Paul's dad still goes to WP on the odd occasion but you may see him at WS. John Farndon Wasn't his name Barnard? I also think he lost one leg as a result of the accident not two. The fundraiser at the second to last Epsom meeting was to raise money for the family of Des and to help John. |
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Post by johnf on Apr 16, 2009 18:32:01 GMT 12
Yes Barnard is right. When Lou and I were organizing the first HISCONZ stock car reunion I didn't know that John was with Paul at WP. I contacted his parents who told me John wasn't interested in speedway so let it go. If only.
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Loopy
New Member
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Post by Loopy on Apr 30, 2009 17:33:49 GMT 12
On Saturday night, January 24th 1959, 50 years ago tomorrow as I write this, Des McCollum was fatally injured in a stock car race at Auckland's Epsom Showgrounds track. Des had recently returned from Australia where he was one of the eight NZ drivers who had beaten Australia in stockcar teams races at the Sydney Showground, the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, and Toowoomba Speedway. The week before the crash Des was a very close runner up to Bill Culver in the 1959 NZ Stockcar championship. Des was racing against the visiting Australian team in the first of three test matches, when on the second lap his car was clipped and rolled, while the car was airborne it was hit by another car and the body and roll cage was ripped from the chassis. Des started racing stockcars at the Epsom track in the 1955-56 season and had been one of the top racers and a huge crowd favourite. RIP Des McCollum. The NZ Team before leaving for Australia November 1958. Des is 3rd from left. Probably the last photograph taken of the McCollum car as it lines up on the track for the first test match against Australia. The 29 car is Johnny Riley. Below are 2 pages remembering Des from the Historic Stockcar Club of NZ "Siderail" publication. (All photos from the Hisconz archives) |
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Loopy
New Member
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Post by Loopy on Apr 30, 2009 17:49:34 GMT 12
this is posted by jack Williamson nephew.
i was the water boy, it was my first encounter with speedway.
he had 4 cars ruining .i remember 15, 16, and 17 pull that one to bits after school.
look what happen to ?
uncle was not pleased when no 1 nephew took up stock car racing 40 yrs ago but it was in the blood!
what a buzz to find this I'm chuffed to bits
LOOPY LEWIN 37W
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Post by pallmall on Jan 24, 2012 19:24:21 GMT 12
53 years ago tonight we lost Des. Still, and forever remembered.
RIP.
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Post by Rob (on the job) Ross on Jan 24, 2012 19:47:41 GMT 12
I hope the Race track in the sky is doing well with you and ur old team mate Mr Brain Tracey running things up there.
R I P Des
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