Ghosts of the Bullpen

Saturday 13th March - 2021 

Hello again to all my petrol head friends.

The Qantas connection scored an invitation to George & Lesley's spectacular display of their life-long passion in Speedway & Indianapolis 500 memorabilia & their toys. 

How could you ever forget the roar of 30,000 spectators, the smell of Methanol in the air, bright lights glimmering over the Dolomite & dirt race track every Saturday night during the summer season of Speedway racing at the Sydney Speedway Royale.

Our host for the day - George

A little over 12-months ago I attended the unveiling of a Memorial Plaque that was embedded into the footpath outside the residence at 186 Glenmore Road, Paddington of one of my childhood heroes & legends, none other than the all round good bloke & famous Speedway driver Jeffrey Freeman. Jeff was tragically killed instantly in a racing crash at Westmead on Mothers Day, 9th May 1965 at the ripe old age of 27-years of age.

If you like, you can read all about my hero (Jeff Freeman) CLICK HERE if you would like go back to my blog that I wrote on 6th March, 2020 titled 'Honouring a childhood hero of mine'.

On that fortuitous occasion I was introduced to George & Lesley, little did I know at that time they were dirt track Speedway & Indianapolis 500 'tragics' like myself. The gentleman that introduced me to them is a member of The Early V/8 Ford Club of NSW, a chap by the name of Rob Mercerio. 

Three ex-Qantas employees guests surround
our generous hosts Lesley & George

In the photograph above, you can see the strong Qantas connection, L to R. Steve Core, Ken Warburton (both Ex-Trolly Dollys), Lesley & George (please note that Lesley is holding an original Qantas travel bag that she used to take to school), Graeme Bethell (ex-head of operations for Qantas aircraft movements world wide). 

Due to this wretched China Virus The Early V/8 Ford Club have been trying to organise a visit to George & Lesley's museum (I don't say that lightly) as you will see by the following story & photographs that I am about to present to you.

Our invitation to view this amazing collection had been cancelled twice over the past 12-months because of that Virus, so you can well imagine how I have been hanging out to see all their goodies. Guess what, it all happened yesterday.

Visitor's parking for Early V/8 Ford Club member's
in George & Lesley's driveway
Photo: Steve Core

George & Lesley requested me to bring my 1931 Model A Ford Tudor Delux 2-door Sedan, they had heard about my vehicle & wanted to check out the "old girl'. We arrived at their residence in the Western Suburbs of Sydney around 10:00am as requested, in total there were 30 invited guests, 27 members from The Early V/8 Ford Club of NSW & then my party of three, being ex-Qantas employees. 

I had absolutely no idea that Qantas Airways played such a big part in the early days of Speedway racing here in Sydney, not only was Jeff Freeman employed at Qantas, there were a whole bunch of guys employed by the flying Red Kangaroo, needless to say, where else were all the foreign orders carried out when the head guy in the Maintenance Department was also a Speedway 'tragic'. Say no more!!!

Trophies from bygone days of Australian Speedway saved
from the fate of being taken to the rubbish tip

Three of these Trophies (above) were won by absolute Legends of Australian Speedway racing, & one by that other thrill seeker US legend & superstar Bob Tattersall. Bottom Left - Bob Tattersall. Top Left: Len Brock. Bottom right: Jeff Freeman. Top Right: Andy McGavin. All beautifully polished & presented by Lesley.

If you are serious about your passion for speed, every one must own their very own brick from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. George & Lesley have this authentic brick in their collection from when they attended the 1992 Indy 500. Baked into the side of the brick it reads: W.C. Co. Culver Block. Pat. May 21st 1901.

This original brick from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
known as 'the brickyard' dates back to 1901

In the very top opening photo, George is holding up a bonnet that was painted & sign written by the same gentleman that painted the pinstripes on my Model A Ford, his name is Alan Bongers, he has sign written all of George's race cars. Alan is still doing everything by hand, (no decals or computer cut lettering for this man) even though he is well into his 70s.

Now we get into the real action - George & Lesley's Speedcar collection:

#USA 1 Kurtis Kraft Offenhauser (Offy) built in 1946 in the USA and raced up to and then modified in 1996. In its younger life the car was driven by numerous Indy Champions. Brought to Australia by the reigning USAC Champ, Mike McGreevy in 1967. Bob Tattersall was Mike's touring partner in the Valvoline Offy #2. 

At the completion of its 1967 down-under tour, Mike McGreevy
was instructed to sell #1 by its owners - Bob & Don Weaver  

After completion of his tour, the car was sold in Australia and raced up until the early 1980s. During its career, this car had many owners among them for a short period of time was Blair Shepherd. 

Brought by George & Lesley as a total wreck in 1985. Restorations were completed in 2018. Mike McGreevy is no longer with us, he passed away on January 5th 2018.

All of George's cars feature hand-painted sign
writing by the talented Alan Bongers

#99 - Kurtis modified Edmunds Offenhauser, built in 1964 and imported from the USA by Blair Sheppard in 1966. Blair was a champion driver winning many races throughout Australia including the 1969 National Australian Title. 

Also in 1969 Blair was written up in Speedway Magazine as the "No.1 Driver of the Year". Of the nine Offies (all Black & Gold #99 and called WRM Offy - his mechanic's initials) that Blair owned during his racing career he considered to be his favourite car. 

The car was then sold to Barry Butterworth who the campaigned the car as the white No.26. Barry then won the 1973 New Zealand National Title and later declared it "the best car he had ever been associated with." George and Lesley acquired the car in 1987 and restored it back to the Black & Gold No.99. In 2001 the car won the NSW Vintage Speedcar Club's 'Restoration of the Year' award.

1969 was a remarkable season for Blair Shepherd
and he deserved the title "Driver of the Year."

Barry Butterworth could be considered one of NZ's greatest Speedway racing Legends. Barry raced not only in NZ but also the United States & Australia. Unfortunately Barry passed away of emphysema in November 1993 at the very young age of 54-years old.

Two of the greatest Australasian Speedway legends
both won National titles driving this all conquering car 

#16 - Grey Holden with all the necessary racing equipment. The car was rebuilt by Peter Nunn in 1969 and known as the Tornado MkII being a copy of the McGee Tornado Mk I. 

This has been George's work horse since its 'Restoration of the Year Award' win in 1993.

#16 has been George's work horse since its
Restoration of the Year Award in 1993

#8 - Built in 1965 by Bruce Rickard in Adelaide, SA with a 138 Grey Holden motor with a Repco Hypower Head - this motor was later replaced with an Offy. 

This car was brought by George & Lesley in 1985 and was rebuilt by George back to 1965-style with a Repco Hypower Holden motor. The Offy motor was rebuilt for the restoration of the McGreevy car.

No.8 - fitted with a Holden Repco Crossflow Engine

When Lesley first showed me this cabinet (below) my first thought was that she had been collecting spice jars. You're not going to believe what she has stored in these glass containers. 

Now if you think that you are an enthusiast or have a passion about anything, you don't even get a mention in my books. Remember I told you that they are dirt track Speedway & Indianapolis 'tragics' like myself.

Lesley's stockpile of speedway dirt from around
the globe spans across 60-years of travel & racing

Well, well, well... there is no way you would have guessed what is in those glass containers exactly the same as l didn't. Are you ready for this?

There is a sample of dirt from every dirt track race circuit that they have visited to watch Speedway or take part in speedway racing over a period of 60-years or so, & you think that you have a passion for your hobby, let me tell you something you are all still in Kindergarten. Can you believe that dedication, it absolutely blew me away.

This old Grey Holden motor (below) is fitted with a Repco Hypower Head which was very successful in speedcars. These heads were designed by Phil Irving (of Vincent motorcycle & Repco Brabham F1 Fame) & was only made to suit the Grey motor, opinions vary, but it appears that only 103 of these were made.

The very rare & valuable vintage Repco
Hypower cylinder head engine

The final photo (below) is of an Offenhauser Racing engine, or Offy, is a racing engine design that dominated American open wheel racing for more than 50-years & is still popular among vintage sprint & midget car racers.

Fred H. Offenhauser, Jr. was an American automotive engineer and mechanic who developed the Offenhauser racing engine, nicknamed the "Offy", which dominated competition in the Indianapolis 500 race for decades. 

The engine was driven to great success in roadsters at the Indianapolis 500, with 24 victories over a 27-year period. New turbo boost rules brought an end to the dominate era of Offenhauser engine.

A fine example of the legendary
Offenhauser Racing engine

When we finally departed George & Lesley's residence I was so overwhelmed by their gracious hospitality, I can honestly say that I have never witnessed anything like it in all my experience traveling the World. Yesterday was a unique experience because it took me back in time to when I was a hairy arsed kid in the early '60s & that can't be all that bad.

Thanks for sharing your treasures with us all.

Cheers from the 'Squire from the Shire'.

Regards

Ken Warburton