BUNBURY (WA)
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1971 - BLICKS RACEWAY
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previous page www.speedwayandroadracehistory.com/bunbury-blicks-raceway-1970.html
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1971 - MERRICK TRIPLETT Stock Production
1971 - Merrick Triplett in the South West Electro Platers 48 series Holden that he won top points in that year. Photo: unknown.
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1971 - MICK BAYLESS Modified Production
1971 - Mick Bayliss raced this very quick 48 series (wild child) that was prepared and tuned by Allan Woroll. Photo: Allan Woroll.
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1971 - Brian Hillman in the number 55 Holden 48 series Holden at Blicks Raceway, Photographer: unknown, Hillman family collection.
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1971 - EDDIE LAING Modified's
1971 - Eddie Laing's Modified named Devil Woman in a street parade along Spencer street. Photo: Laing family.
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1971 - BLICKS RACEWAY
1971 - VERN BAKER Stock Production
1971 - Vern Baker in his 48 series Holden making his way to the start line. Photo: Baker family collection.
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1971 - NANETTE HARDING (ne Melvin)
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1971 - Nanette Melvin shares a laugh with fellow member and Hot Rod driver Graeme Wheat. Photographer: unknown.
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1971 - BRIAN McRAE , THAT BLODDY HONDA SCAMP
Brian Mcrae with the backing of South West Power World owner Ray Trebley came up with the idea of racing a 600cc Honda Scamp up against the more powerful Holdens and British cars of the day in what was Blicks raceway's final year.
Ray being the Honda dealer in Bunbury at the time found a damaged car and Brian proceeded to build a speedway car, Brian went on to win many races that year including the Rothmans Championship held at Blicks.
As the car was very light and unstable at speed Brian continuously found himshelf upside down at the hands of the bigger cars, he set a record that year winning an award for being upside down on ten occasions.
Blicks also ran a mechanics and ladies race on the day. Brians younger sister Allison drove the car to many wins as did Phil Bruce in the mechanics race.
Ray being the Honda dealer in Bunbury at the time found a damaged car and Brian proceeded to build a speedway car, Brian went on to win many races that year including the Rothmans Championship held at Blicks.
As the car was very light and unstable at speed Brian continuously found himshelf upside down at the hands of the bigger cars, he set a record that year winning an award for being upside down on ten occasions.
Blicks also ran a mechanics and ladies race on the day. Brians younger sister Allison drove the car to many wins as did Phil Bruce in the mechanics race.
Brian McRae the first Japanese speedway car builder and racer in Australia, the small horsepower car won races againts dominant Holdens, Fords and British cars of the day. |
Ray Trebley the Honda dealer that had the vision and resources to find a damaged car so Brian could build a Speedway car out of a current car available to the buying public. |
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1971 - BRIAN McRAE SLIDESHOW
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Harold Thomas recalls: I recall being at a club meeting in the Hudson family's celler when the matter of the Scamp was first raised. The request was to race a non complying car, as it didn't meet the minimum age of ten years old. After discussion it was put to the stock division drivers, as that's where it was proposed to race the Scamp.
The request was resoundinley agreed to, with the stockies consisting of grey Holdens, Vauxhals and a Zephyr or two.
Problems were to arise with the South West Motor Sports Association, not that they could stop the Scamp racing at Bunbury as a novelty, also other South West clubs inviting Brian and the Scamp because it was such a drawcard.
Day one for the Scamp Saw Brian McRae in great form, from memory winning all 5 heats with stock cars, the mechanics race against all comers and likewise taking out the butchers picnic.
Stockie drivers were now ruing their vote of support !!!
I was a Bunbury delegate to the South West Motorsport Association at the time and soon every monthly meeting was dominated by criticism of this little interloper, Bunbury Car Club was always in the bad books with the association, we regarded them a little like Cams is to road racing.
the Scamp was such a drawcard it's little 600cc motor reving out with many gear changes per lap. Rollovers were frequent and I recall an incident where a full rollover was prevented by the car leaning on a sand bank just forward of the start / finish line, Brian was able to give an allmighty shove on the embankment, Scamp bounced back on its wheels, the familiar sound of the Honda starter motor, then chased the field and completed the race.
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Brian McCray recalls:
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1971 - SOUTH WESTERN TIMES NEWSPAPER REPORTED
The Honda Scamp which has dominated the racing at Blick's Raceway in recent months roars down the straight high up on the bank without reducing speedway. The car has become a great favourite with the crowd and is sure to be one of the draw cards at next Sunday's meeting. Photographer: unknown.
A feature of Sundays Hot Rod meeting at Blicks Raceway was the performance of a Honda Skamp - the first car of its make to race on an Australian speedway. Driven by Brian McCrae it did a flying quarter mile in 16.8 seconds - equivalent to 84 mph. In the above picture McCrae leads Robbie Nicholson out of the turn in a cloud of dust in one of there races. Photographer: unknown.
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1971 - SOUTH WESTERN TIMES NEWSPAPER REPORTED
This Super Mod with Graham Wheat at the wheel is one of the regular competitors at the Bunbury Car Club's fortnightly meetings at Blick's Raceway. The club will hold its meeting for the season on Sunday when one of the star attractions will be a six lap beach buggy derby. With drivers from neighbouring clubs expected to attend. Photographer: unknown.
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1971 - GEORGE BAXTER
Memories of Bunbury Photo feature
1971 - George Baxter was a Bunbury Local that was deeply involved in many groups in Bunbury, The vintage car and trucks club, The Railway preservation group, the Historical and also the Tourism area, here George is pictured with his Vintage Fire Engine doing a few laps around Blicks Raceway. Photo: Brian De Passey.
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John Bartley recalls: Garnett Lane in his flat head Ford V8 pilot was having trouble one day getting the car to start, so Colin Resta offered to give Garnett a push with his V8 Vangaurd Hot Rod, what was not know at the time was the reason the car would not go, a fuel pump leaking fuel into the sump and not pumping it to the carby was the problem, so about twenty feet into the push Garnett dropped the clutch and stood on the throttle only to be deafened by a huge explosion and the site of a distributor and leads shooting into the air like a flying octupus,
John also recalls the look on Garnetts face and the size of his eyes.
John also recalls the look on Garnetts face and the size of his eyes.
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1971 - BLICKS RACEWAY Speedcar's
Speedway and Road Race History Pictorial feature
1971 - A special treat for the paying spectators when a bunch of Speedcars from Claremont Speedway turned up at Blicks. Photo's: Brian Moyle collection.
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2009 - BLICKS RACEWAY WALKABOUT SLIDESHOW
Very little remains of the original race track as the continual tide movements have washed and smoothed over the entire site, the race track area resembles a skid pan as many of the locals have cut up the area during high tide as a form of entertainment.
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1969 - BLICKS RACEWAY NOW & THEN
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Check out the 2009 and the 1969 photo of George Lane with the Jaguar powered supermod loaded up behind that very neat Customline, George with all the family was heading off home after another successful Sunday at Blicks, the Old Coast Road is visible in the backround.
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2005 - BLICKS RACEWAY LOCATION SLIDESHOW
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2017 - REG BLICKS THE LANDLORD
