April 1966 First time US Drag racers were seen in Australia ....an eye opener for Australian enthusiasts.
I am aware of several "dragsters" being built in Sydney in 1964. One of which had difficulty in keeping gearboxes intact - Rolls Royce Merlin motor (bought at Bernie Spares Lidcombe, for 10 pounds).
Pete and Leo Geoghan, Merv Waggott (father of Pete Waggott who put together the TC4V Ford Cortina motor) - All were tinkering with motors affixed to rail chassis around the same time. Being run (illegally) on several WW11 Airstrips.
Great days which contributed greatly to Automotive racing in Australia.
It's miraculous that we all lived through some of the failures of experimental designs.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Great memories Possum. If I recall Waggott's made the early race cams that could be fitted to street cars. I remember Pete Geoghan in the white Mustang and Leo would drive the open wheelers. They teamed up in the first Falcon GT, a 289 V8 that came in only one colour to win the Bathurst 500 in 1967. Funnily enough, a Mini Cooper S had won the race the year before.
