Photos: The Bruce Wells Collection - Warwick Farm - Part 1

[Steve Holmes]

OK, this is the big one! Warwick Farm no longer exists as a race track, at least, not for race cars. The car race track was built on the site of a horse track, and horse racing still takes place there. But the glorious sounds of high revving race motors haven't been heard at 'The Farm' for nearly 40 years, with the last race having taken place in August, 1973.

But prior to its closure, Warwick Farm was one of the most significant race tracks in Australia, and in its relatively brief career, which began in 1960, played host to the Australian Grand Prix, the single race Australian Touring Car Championship, plus rounds of the Tasman Series, and the ATCC when it became a multi-round championship from 1969. Furthermore, numerous of smaller events also took place there.

Warwick Farm was the premier motor racing venue in New South Wales, alongside Bathurst, although many more events were held at the Farm, with this being a permanent venue. Its eventual closure prompted promotion of other tracks, such as Oran Park, but prior to that happening, it was a place of great significance, in which many of the worlds top racing drivers competed.

Bruce Wells, being a NSW resident, attended many races at the Farm, and his significant photographic collection spans 1964 - 1967, after which he moved away from the area and quit motorsport photography.

I've split Bruce's Warwick Farm photos into several chapters, this first being of a pair of national events held in September and December 1964.

[Steve Holmes]

The term 'rubbin's racing' isn't a new one! Just check the panel damage in this opening shot. I'm pretty certain the leading EH Holden is that of Brian Muir, with Pete Geoghagan giving chase in the Cortina. But who is that in the Cooper S? Also, note the couple of spectators watching the racing without paying the admission charge!

[Steve Holmes]

More touring car action, including the Anderson Customline.

[neale]

Great pics as usual. I cant wait to see the rest of them!

The pic of the guys in the tree reminds me of a story that dad told me of when he used to watch the races at "The Farm".

He said that there used to be a guy that would ferry people across the Georges River in a small boat for a small fee that would be cheaper than paying to get in through the gate. At some race meetings he would ferry hundreds of people across & they would all climb the trees like you can see in that pic. At one meeting there was so many people in one tree that it couldnt handle the weight & fell over.

[Steve Holmes]

Neale, thats a great story! Glad you're enjoying the pics. Getting to post these amazing Bruce Wells photos on here is a real highlight for me.

[Steve Holmes]

Next batch, same event. That appears to be Glyn Scott in the #12 Lotus, but who is he chasing?

I believe the last two photos are of the very adaptable Greg Cusack, as he seemed to favour #7 on his race cars.

[Steve Holmes]

Last group from this event.

[Steve Holmes]

The following photos are all from a December 1964 national meeting. kicking off with the AM DB3, the only info I can find of this car is that it was raced by an A. Pucket.

The Peter Manton Cooper S that heads up this chapter, Bruce has really captured the car well, especially where it cocks the inside rear wheel. And note the amount of lean Pete himself applies into the corner! He just about disappears under the dash.

[Steve Holmes]

Pretty sure this is Brian Foley chasing Geoghegan.

[Steve Holmes]

Bit more touring car action, with the EH Holdens of Norm Beechey and Brian Muir, plus Bob Janes Jag.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, single seaters. I think the opening two shots are of Doug Ferris in the Lotus 20B.

Then we have Lex Davison and Frank Matich.

[Steve Holmes]

Bob Jane can't have done a lot of single seater racing, but this is him in the Elfin.

Following pics are (I think) Rocky Tresise in the Cooper, Bib Stillwell in the Brabham, and Matich again.

[Dale Harvey]

Steve, I hope we have not come to the end of the photos, and the reason for not seeing more is that you are too busy to post them.
Dale.

[Murray Maunder]

Second that sentiment Dale. Really excellent photos and interesting to see how Bruce seems to favour rear end shots of racing, not all that common. It's very effective in showing styles and lines. Love it Steve, keep them coming!

[Steve Holmes]

Hi guys, yes there are loads more to come. I've not been on here much lately, as our beautiful big 8 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback had been diagnosed with cancer and we'd been trying to have him fixed.

Will be posting more photos today.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, update time. Here are the next batch from the December 1964 meeting, and showing Norm Beechey in the EH giving chase to Bob Janes Jaguar, and Brian Muir's EH.

Can anyone help ID the FX Holdens? I think the #45 car in the first shot could be that of Bo Seton. How about the others?

[Dale Harvey]

Great photos!! Notice, Brian Muir and the bloke in the Lotus formula junior #16 both wearing short sleeved shirts. That's the way it was in the good old days!!! I can remember some drivers racing in singlets.

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, amazing isn't it! certainly more casual times.

[Steve Holmes]

First two shots show Bob Jane and Frank Matich again. Any thoughts on who the other drivers are in these photos?

The FX is Bo Seton again.

Any ideas on who is driving the AM? Looks like the car Tom Sulman raced several years earlier.

[Steve Holmes]