HEATHCOTE (VIC)
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1970s - HEATHCOTE PARK RACEWAY
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1977 1978 - JUNGLE JIM CARTER
1977 1978 - Jungle Jim Carter at Heathcote in the early days. Photo: Stephen Paul.
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1985 - IAN SPLATT
Ian Splatt a true legend in the world of Drag Racing had a career ending crash at Heathcote Raceway in 1985.
It was during a pre race burnout that Ian lost control of the famous Dragway Altered.
The machine turned hard left at speed into the armco rail demolishing this fantastic piece of engineering.
Ian did manage to walk from the wreck only with assistance though, he never did get back behind the wheel again.
He did not leave the sport that he played a part in shaping. He spent his life from that point on assisting his daughter Rachael Splatt with here well documented career.
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1985 - Ian and Rachael what a combination. photo: unknown. |
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1985 - HEATHCOTE PARK RACEWAY NATIONALS
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
1985 - Gary Phillips in the AA Funny Car ection at the 1985 Nationals at Heathcote Raceway in Victoria. Photo; Malcolm Gregory collection.
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
1985 - A big burnout from the Pirotta Caruana Cortina "Satisfaction" SOHC Ford powerd AA/G at the 1985 Nationals. Photo: Lloyd King.
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
1985 - Rod Bradshaw heating up the slicks at the Nationals in his Top Fuel Dragstar. Photo: Malcolm Gregory collection.
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1989 - JIM READ
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook photo feature
1989 - Jim Read at the 21st National's at Heathcote were he ran consistent 5.5 second times on his way to winning in the final over Garth Hogan from New Zealand. photo: Jake Barrett collection.
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1989 - HEATHCOTE PARK RACEWAY Nationals
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Pictorial feature
Photo's: Michael Hunt collection.
1989 - JIM CARTER - Funnycar
Australian Drag Racing History and Memorabilia facebook Photo feature
26th December 1989 - Jim Carter in his Nitro Funny Car at Heathcote. Photo: Malcom Gregory collection.
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2006 - JET CAR DEATH CRASH
Manabu Kondo a Japanese man died when his jet powered car slammed into a wall and disintegrated at the Heathcote Park Raceway dragstrip.
The car was traveling at about 300km per hour when the driver lost control, The deceased driver had only brought the jet car six weeks prior and this was his fourth test in the car.
Further details were released in the Bendigo Advertiser in May of 2015 in relation to the coroners report.
A Coroner has found the death of a thirty eight year old Japanese man in a racing car accident at Heathcote Park Dragstrip in 2006 could have been prevented by a mechanical check of the vehicle.
In a report handed down in the Coroners Court yesterday, Coroner Peter White concluded problems with the cars wheel bearings caused the car to shudder violently as it approached its top speed, knocking Mr Kondo unconscious, He said Mr Kondo then lost control of the vehicle, which veered into a safety barrier, However Mr White said the accident was preventable, He said the man who sold the car, Kevin Hinkling, the operator of Heathcote Raceway Russell Clarke, and Mr Kondo himshelf should have ensured the vehicle had under gone a basic mechanical check.