Classic Dirt Track Images.

[JAP 454]

Curly 3's mention of Gordon Guasco in the First Sliders thread prompted me to chase this photo up,



Stars of Speedway ,and short circuit at times, from the early '70s ,in the pits at The Headquarters

L to R Jim Airey, "Cowboy" Bob Sharp and  " Horse " , the late Gordon Guasco

[firko]

I can remember Gordon Guascos JAP for sale in Ryans still with the dirt on it from that last ride. He was my favourite along with another of the forgotten 'Showy' stars of the 60s/70s, Cec Platt. Cec later became a mate through Penrith club and still turns up at most Nepean meetings adorned in his customary 10 gallon Stetson and cowboy boots. His son Ty was also a very good rider who, like his father, never quite achieved the success he deserved.
                               

[JAP 454]

This photo from  Two Wheels 1973,January edition



Jim Airey at the 1972 Nepean Six Hour , dunno who # 17 is

Foss

[Curly3]

GC was untouchable this day.
Granite Park Seymour.
This was one hell of a corner, Long, Downhill, Off Camber and tightened right up at the bottom.

[Curly3]

Charlie Edwards chasing.

[Curly3]

[Curly3]

Walk back to the pits, courtesy of a broken chain, I think.

[pancho]

Isn't that Geoff Curtis, walking Curly3?

[ianaust]

Yes Pancho thats him and it was a flat tyre wasnt it

[Curly3]

Yes Wally and its him riding as well. 1973, the same year that "Bastard" Showground claimed him.
I beg to differ Ian, I'm pretty sure he won the race with a flat tyre and the broken chain incident came just after the re-start of the Unlimited final which was eventually won by Keith Davies. There was a major pile up in the first corner of the first start and GC, KD, Charlie Edwards and Keith Sewell all came down. Courtesy of Scaysie's book, Australia's Motorcycling Heritage.
Where are your photo's Ian, we're starting to run dry.
Do you want me to come over and hold your hand. I said HAND.

[pancho]

I was pretty sure number 41 was Geoff but I miss-read your post, then I saw the pic, He was a very pleasant unassuming bloke who I always considered to be a very safe rider. I was shocked the day I heard about his passing to the point where I can still remember what I was doing at the time I heard the bad news. pancho.

[Curly3]

Pancho, Geoff was a class act allround.
His advice to up & coming Speedway riders was to avoid the Showground.
The accident that took him away was a pretty innocuouse looking prang but awkwardly he got caught between the bike and that bloody concrete.
I can personally attest to the unforgiving nature of the Showground and from what I've heard I'm one of the lucky ones, it all goes to show that when your number comes up, it's out of our hands.
I may be wrong but I think he was the second of two out of three brothers to lose their life on a motorcycle.
 

[JAP 454]

Right , with Griffith only about , errrr, 19 sleeps away , I thought I'd post these start shots from the inaugural Aussie Classic Titles held at West Wyalong in 1994 , Just ta get yas in the mood !!



# 8 Geoff Grabham , #54 Garry O'Brien, # 53 Bob Sunderland , # 79 Lenny Norris, #64 Dave Knox, # 190 Ron Davis , any-one help with the rest ?? ,
 #149 is an Astro with a 500 Yammy fitted , came from Vic I think.
Foss

[JAP 454]

Allrighty , here's a start line up from Griffith in 197?



# 709 Neil Appaloni, # 200 Gary Harriman , I think ,  # 454 Yours truly, # 371 ?? , #12 ??

I wonder what's got everyone's attention ??

Photo by Dennis Miller , Griffith

[yamaico]

#12 from the last couple of photos would be me.