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07-29-2018, 05:01 AM
#161
World Champion
Ken H, have that car in 1;43 as well as a European Race one - similar but doesn't have the window safety meshing - great looking car !!
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07-30-2018, 08:14 PM
#162
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07-30-2018, 10:43 PM
#163
Brad has two very talented sons racing in various series here too, great genes!
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07-31-2018, 12:23 AM
#164
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07-31-2018, 07:08 AM
#165
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08-01-2018, 12:58 AM
#166
The next day, June 15th 1975, was the Formula 5000 race.
One of the entrants was English driver Tony Dean driving a Chevron B24. # 7. When I checked the chassis number (24-73-07) I saw that it began life as a VDS Team car for the 1973 European F 5000 season driven then by Chris Craft. I happened to take a photo of the VDS team at Snetterton which shows Chris Craft waiting while his NZ mechanic, Graham Donaldson, checks it out.
Chevron B24 (24-73-07 ) ( K Hyndman photo..)
Now raced by Tom Tweedie in Australia this car has quite a history.
" Chevron B24
24-73-07................... As per Oldracingcars.com http://www.oldracingcars.com/chevron/b24/
Built for 1973 season. VDS: for Chris Craft UK 1973; for Peter Gethin Tasman 1974; loaned to Adlards Crowne Racing for Craft UK 1974; returned to VDS, converted to B24/B28 specification and used by Vern Schuppan to win at Brands Hatch October 1974. Sold to Tony Dean UK 1975 (up to R6 Zandvoort 19 May 1975), who typically described it as a "B28". On 19 May, Dean raced the car at Zandvoort, a couple of days after Wunderink wrecked his older B24. Five days later, on Saturday 24 May, Dean won a libre at Rufforth in a "B24", followed home in second by Richard Simms also in a B24. Two days after that, Dean had his "B28" at Thruxton, finishing fifth. Then to USA for US series (3 races: debut R2 Mosport 15 Jun). Confiscated by UK Customs & Excise on return from US when Dean was accused of misunderstanding the rules covering cigar imports. Bought by Don Gray (Sittingbourne, Kent) at auction: raced in UK 1977 (3 races: debut R4 Brands Hatch 11 Apr 1977; later fifth in second race at R7 Brands Hatch 26 Jun 1977) and in libre (2nd behind Keth Holland at Brands Hatch 19 Jun 1977) - Keith Holland: Australian Internationals 1978 - Barry Singleton 1978: raced in Australia 1978 - Jim Lowe: won Queensland Racing Car Championship in 1980, beating Ivan Tighe; Australian Gold Star 1980; crashed at Surfers Paradise in early 1981 and heavily damaged.
Wreck sold to Russel Gomersall then to Peter Phillips, who is believed to have got it back to running condition, and then Laurie O'Neill (Sydney). Sold by O'Neill to Dr Bill Marshall some time around 1985 and raced in Australian historic racing, running in HSRCA events at Amaroo Park and Oran Park in 1986, 1987 and 1988. Sold by Marshall to George Parlby in the early 1990s and restored for Parlby by Ralt Australia. Said to be for sale in the US in 2005. To Aaron Lewis (NZ) late 2005. Raced by Lewis in the Formula 5000 Tasman Cup Revival at the Australian GP meeting 28 Mar 2009.
Sold in Jan 2012 to Robert Tweedie to be driven by his son Tom Tweedie, the 2009-10 Australian National F3 Champion. Tweedie won first time out at HSRCA Eastern Creek (Sydney Motorsport Park) 29 Jun-1 Jul 2013. Raced by Tweedie in the 2013/14 F5000 Australia Cup, winning at Sydney Motorsport Park 1 Sep 2013. Won again at Sydney Motorsport Park November 2014. Raced at the Phillip Island Classic in March 2016, and in March 2018, where Tom Tweedie won all four races.
Driven by: Chris Craft, Peter Gethin, Vern Schuppan, Brian Redman, Tony Dean, Don Gray, Keith Holland, Barry Singleton, Jim Lowe and Russel Gomersall. First race: Mallory Park (UK R10), 8 Jul 1973. Total of 49 recorded races.
Tony Dean at Mosport. June 1975.
(Jerry Melton's photos.. )
Another photo of Tony Dean lining up beside B.J. Swanson in his Lola T332 # 42.
Swanson's promising career came to a tragic end at Mid-Ohio in August 1975 and he died about the same time as Mark Donohue, so it was a sad time for the US racing fraternity.
This site explains how it happened.
http://racing-reference.info/showblog?id=2836
(Ken H)
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08-01-2018, 11:04 PM
#167
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08-01-2018, 11:22 PM
#168
Bobby Unser's brother Al did not have a memorable weekend as he damaged his Lola T 332 and then tried the new Lola T 400 # 51 for the Viceroy sponsored Vel's Parnelli Racing Team. It was raced just this one time before going back to his tried and tested T 332 for the remaining 1975 races.
Al Unser sr. in his only appearance in a Lola T 400.
(Jerry Melton photos.. )
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08-02-2018, 09:18 PM
#169
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08-03-2018, 12:58 AM
#170
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08-05-2018, 12:11 AM
#171
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08-05-2018, 04:43 AM
#172
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08-05-2018, 07:02 AM
#173
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08-05-2018, 07:21 AM
#174
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08-06-2018, 03:44 AM
#175
Ken, are you going to be at La Guna Seca Rolex this year. be great to catch up, we there both weekends, so hopefully see you and have that beer at last. This has been a great thread, lot of good work mate. Cheers Grimme
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08-06-2018, 07:19 AM
#176
Rod,
This year I can only get to Laguna on Sunday August 19th for the day so I am pleased to learn that you will be there and we can catch up.
Also thanks for enjoying this thread as it takes time to input all the of Jerry Melton's photos and sometimes add some information.
Due to the lack of replies I thought not many were very interested in what happened in North American racing back then, so your comment was appreciated.
May you and all the NZ contingent have a safe journey over and we will have that drink together, my shout !
Cheers, Ken.
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08-06-2018, 07:28 AM
#177
Yes we were interested and we appreciated you posting them, thank you. It's a shame that's it.
Allan
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08-06-2018, 06:48 PM
#178
Hi Ken,
We are all loving the photos, and I know I speak for many when I say we are truly grateful for the photos and the fact that you take the time to post them for us.
We can be a little slack with comments.
Sorry I will miss you this year at Laguna, I get there on the 23rd.
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08-06-2018, 07:43 PM
#179
Semi-Pro Racer
Ken, your photos are always of interest. I never stop looking at them and it is always my morning hit along with a good cup of coffee.
Kind Regards, Bruce D
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08-06-2018, 08:56 PM
#180
Semi-Pro Racer
Me too Ken!!, It makes most excellent reading in the morning with my coffee in hand too. Great pictures and commentary.
I look forward to it everyday.
Cheers from downunder
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