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Post by pallmall on Dec 31, 2008 14:46:33 GMT 12
Looking at the thread on US Open Wheel History makes one realise how little has been published on our own history, particularly the Midgets, Sprintcars, and TQ's.
While there is a bit of fragmented stuff around on Western Springs, and some of the early Midget history in books like 'Up to Speed' on the Roycrofts by Scott Thomson there is really nothing in one place covering the total history of the three main open wheel classes.
Taranaki history, and particularly Waiwakaiho Speedway has been well documented by Dave Gifford for the Taranaki Historic Speedway Assc.
Christchurch midgets, and the Christchurch speedways have been covered in books by AJ. Batt, but little else that I am aware of has been published.
We have a rich history, including International competitors from day 1 in the midgets, isn't it about time somebody created some kind of document recording the history, if only in photographs?
And, no Aaron, it isn't going to be me, I have too little material to use, and am too busy on an accurate history of early NZ Stockcar racing.
Books that I have that cover some of the NZ Open Wheel history are;
Up to Speed by Scott Thomson (includes early Western Springs midgets)
The Dusty Trail by Allan Batt (Christchurch midgets 1936-1975)
Aranui Speedway 1949-1959 by Allan Batt.
AJ has also written a book on the Christchurch TQ history.
Are there any others out there that anybody knows about? Or any web sites?
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Post by Stevo on Dec 31, 2008 16:05:50 GMT 12
People must have screeds of stuff in their private collections just waiting for someone to put it all together. The US one that I posted only came about from someone starting a thread on a forum board so maybe that would be a good starting point, everyone send in what they have so we can all share it, especially the early stuff. The US sprintcar one was very specific and asked for pre-69 stuff only, when they were in their simplest form prior to wings and things, but I don't think we need to be that specific do we.
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KaZza
New Member
Driver: Noel McConnell/Swinger Bill Taylor
Posts: 17
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Post by KaZza on Dec 31, 2008 20:03:58 GMT 12
 Here's a pic from the past. It is number 9 Kelly Crow, the car has a Studebaker engine and a Ford model T diff. Number 6 is Eric Beardmore who is still involved with the Stratford track from what I can gather. In fact Eric won the Taranaki Midget Champs in 2006/07.  Apparently number 6 was wide enough to fit two people in side by side ;D The pic is from 1962 at the New Plymouth track. Check out the head gear. ;D Enjoy......have more but not as much info... Photographer unknown. ? |
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Post by pallmall on Jan 1, 2009 18:57:05 GMT 12
That is a great start, there must be people on here from around the country that have old speedway photos, even old box brownie stuff is valuable. How about stuff from the Cocky Cormack days of Forest Lake, Palmerston North pre 1962, the old Rotorua track,etc. Search your Dads and Grandads photo albums boys and girls.  |
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Post by pallmall on Jan 3, 2009 15:32:59 GMT 12
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Post by cards on Jan 3, 2009 19:57:09 GMT 12
Fantastic pics and great memories there Pall Mall.
Couple of things.
Bruce Kent was an interesting fellow ... he had fingers in a lot of pies.
As well as being the official photographer at the Springs he was actively involved in Cycling and used to be a rider (more on that in a minute)
He took tons of Cycling photos which I believe have been handed to Cycling historian Bert McConnell.
He reported on Rugby League for the Herald from Carlaw Park ... and he was also involved with Ernie Pinchers with the pro wrestling at the YMCA.
Now about the cycling.
You can make out the velodrome in the background of some of those photos.
For a while there in the mid 60's when Harley Arthur was promoter (I think)we had cycle racing on the velodrome on Saturday nights from 5 (I think) and then the speedway would start and Bruce had a hand in making that happen.
Bruce never threw out anything and always had good gear. I'm sure his speedway photos or negatives will still be around.
For what it's worth.
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Post by pallmall on Jan 3, 2009 20:36:17 GMT 12
Fantastic pics and great memories there Pall Mall. Bruce never threw out anything and always had good gear. I'm sure his speedway photos or negatives will still be around. For what it's worth. Bruce's negatives and speedway files are with Wille Kay. |
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Post by modelmark on Jan 4, 2009 10:49:23 GMT 12
Here is a old 1974 advert i found in one of my stockcar mags  |
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Post by Aaron Drever on Jan 6, 2009 10:33:52 GMT 12
Blast from the Past....  Brent Holden, Ray Townsend Danny Lendich, Les Nixon, Bryan Clarke, Frank Clark Little skinny Bryce T and Sleepy Thanks to Bryce Townsend for the Pic |
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Post by pallmall on Jan 6, 2009 21:24:31 GMT 12
Very kool photo Dreves. Continuing the Super Modified/Sprintcar story here are a few South Island Stock Rod and Super Mod photos, I have more to scan, but a lot of speedway to go to, so it might take a while.  Allan Davies Stockrod and later SuperMod.   Peter Annan had huge success in the Alan Coles Super Mod.  Smokin Joe Annan  Can anybody id this driver?  All these photos from the Gordon Watson collection. |
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Post by Aaron Drever on Jan 6, 2009 22:35:10 GMT 12
Speedway ProBoards had this.....  |
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Post by Aaron Drever on Jan 6, 2009 22:37:22 GMT 12
Midget Racing News had this  |
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Post by sigliamus on Jan 10, 2009 10:13:48 GMT 12
Very interesting alright. There is a strong rumour that a gentleman in Auckland is producing 'scripts' (he calls them) that cover his memories of the early times at the Springs etc. He has interviewed many old drivers/riders still alive and produces a short précis of their memories. Rumour also has it that a volume may go into print this year...but don't hold me to that.
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Post by James Selwyn on Jan 13, 2009 20:44:20 GMT 12
Here is a list of every US driver who ever came to NZ and raced a Midget.
*note
85 - 86 Rice raced in Christchurch only
94 - 95 Boat raced Meremere only
83 - 84 Linne raced Christchurch only
1937 - 1938 : Duane Carter, Paul Swedburg, Beale, Simmons, Swede Lindskog, Vinc Podurgiel
1938 - 1939 : Swede Lindskog, Roy Richter, Roscoe Turner
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1962 - 1963 : Lowell Sachs,
1963 - 1964 : Bob Tattersall
1964 - 1965 : Bob Tattersall
1965 - 1966 : Bob Tattersall
1966 - 1967 : Bob Tattersall, Mike McGreevy
1967 - 1968 : Bob Tattersall, Don Meacham , Bill Mehner
1968 - 1969 : Bob Tattersall,
1969 - 1970 : Merle Bettenhausen, Bob Tattersal
1970 - 1971 : Merle Bettenhausen, Johnny Parsons Jnr.
1971 - 1972 : Dave Strickland, Les Scott, Garry Patterson
1972 - 1973 : Dave Strickland, Hank Butcher
1973 - 1974 : Mel Kenyon, Hank Butcher
1974 - 1975 : Mel Kenyon, AJ Foyt,
1975 - 1976 : Mel Kenyon, AJ Foyt, Larry Rice, Gary Patterson
1976 - 1977 : Sleepy Tripp, Larry Rice, Johnny Rutherford, Ken Holden
1977 - 1978 : Sleepy Tripp, Larry Rice, Mel Kenyon, Johnny Anderson
1978 - 1979 : Sleepy Tripp, Rich Vogler, Bobby Olivero
1979 - 1980 : Sleepy Tripp, Rich Vogler, Mel Kenyon
1980 - 1981 : Sleepy Tripp, Rich Vogler, Bobby Olivero
1981 - 1982 : Sleepy Tripp, Lonnie Caruthers, Bob Wente
1982 - 1983 : Sleepy Tripp, Mel Kenyon, Stan Fox
1983 - 1984 : Sleepy Tripp, Larry Rice, Kevin Olson, Dave Pugsley, Buster Linne (chch)
1984 - 1985 : Sleepy Tripp, Larry Rice, Gene Gennetten
1985 - 1986 : Larry Rice(chch only)
1986 - 1987 : Sleepy Tripp, Mel Kenyon,
1987 - 1988 : Sleepy Tripp, Stan Fox, Larry Rice, Rich Vogler, Denise Bennet, Wayne Bennet, Jeff Lee, Gary Schroder
1988 - 1989 : Stan Fox, Parnelli Jones Jr, Jon Backland
1989 - 1990 : Stan Fox, Parnelli Jones Jr, Gary Schroeder
1990 - 1991 : Stan Fox, Denise Bennett, Mike Fedorcak
1991 - 1992 : Sleepy Tripp, Stan Fox, Doug Kalitta, Mark, Passerelli
1992 - 1993 : Sleepy Tripp, J J Yeley, Tony Elliott, Wally Pankratz, Mark Passerelli, Jeff Lee
1993 - 1994 : Sleepy Tripp, Jimmy Sills, Robby Flock, Derek Davedson
1994 - 1995 : Sleepy Tripp, Ronnie Day, Jimmy Sills, Billy Boat
1995 - 1996 : Sleepy Tripp, Jimmy Sills, Dave Darland, Tony Elliott, Robbie Rice
1996 - 1997 : Sleey Tripp, Jimmy Sills, Jay Drake, Derek Davedson
1997 - 1998 : Sleepy Tripp, Jimmy Sills, Tony Elliott, Robbie Rice
1998 - 1999 : Riky Shelton, Steve Paden, Clay Klepper
1999 - 2000 : Jerry Coons Jr, Clay Klepper, Marc DeBeaumont, Jay Drake, Brice Kenyon
2000 - 2001 : AJ Fike, Aaron Fike, JJ Yeley, Brice Kenyon
2001 - 2002 : Dave Darland, Tony Elliott, Aaron Fike, Brice Kenyon
2002 - 2003 : Dave Darland, Tony Elliott, Aaron Fike, AJ Fike, Tracey Hines
2003 - 2004 : Cory Kruseman, Dave Darland, Mike Hess, Tracy Hines, Tony Elliott
2004 - 2005 : Cory Kruseman, Dave Darland, Davey Ray, Scott Hatton
2005 - 2006 : Scott Hatton, Danny Stratton, Davey Ray
2006 - 2007 : Brad Kuhn, Brad Loyet, Dave Darland, Scott Hatton, Cory Kruseman, Danny Stratton
2007 - 2008 : Brad Kuhn, Brad Loyet, Dave Darland, Davey Ray, Jerry Coons Jr, Scott Hatton, Tony Elliott
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Post by Racerman on Jan 13, 2009 21:03:38 GMT 12
Great work H8, add in 1991-92 Robby Flock in Chch only subbed for Sleepy Tripp in Danny Lendichs car, I also recall Mike Fedorcak running on his on deal that season at the Springs but I stand corrected
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Post by quikchange on Jan 14, 2009 21:46:06 GMT 12
Interesting reading H8 re USA midget drivers who have raced in NZ. Does anyone have a similar list of USA sprintcar drivers?
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Post by James Selwyn on Jan 15, 2009 11:08:30 GMT 12
Interesting reading H8 re USA midget drivers who have raced in NZ. Does anyone have a similar list of USA sprintcar drivers? My intention is, once everyone agrees that the list is correct, to start an Aussie Midget drivers list. But at some point in time I might get some Sprint Car lists together |
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Post by baz2407 on Jan 15, 2009 11:53:37 GMT 12
I have on DVD all my Fathers photos of when he raced around the Manawatu(Awapuni Track) and on the beach at Himitangi, also news paper clippings and hill climbs on the saddle road.
This is real old history and it also includes photos when my uncle won the NZ Champs in Christchurch.
If anyone is interested and wants copies let me know.
I also have some old video off TVNZ of Racing at Western Springs, I have converted to DVD
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Post by nolly35 on May 3, 2009 10:12:22 GMT 12
Speedway ProBoards had this..... what track is this |
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Post by Racerman on May 3, 2009 10:51:33 GMT 12
Speedway ProBoards had this..... what track is this Western Springs!! Those were the days!! |
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