Radschool Association Newsletter

Radschool Association Newsletter - Vol 7

30 Nov 2000

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Last issue we mentioned that the strip at Laverton had been closed and sold and was now used for advanced driver training and motor vehicle testing. Ted Ward (Qld) wrote in to say that there had been cars on the strip before-and he sent us some photos to prove it. These were taken on the runway on the first Sunday in April, back in 1964, and shows the strip being used for standing quarter time trials. Ted says the RAAF Laverton Car Club (somehow) obtained permission to use the strip and those trainees who had cars used the opportunity to try them out over the measured distance. There are some great old cars in these photos, above: a Fiat 1800 (or 2300) then a TR3, a Datsun? then a bunch of FX Holdens, then what looks like a Vauxhall ute. Below is a Lotus Elan, in front of a Renault Dauphine or Gordini?? with Ted’s new EH in the background. Those were the uncomplicated days where you took to the front coils with the oxy, jammed a 2 inch block between the back axle housing and the rear springs, shaved 20 thou’ off the head, fitted a Lukey-Meyers exhaust system, and went racing..... Gone forever - unfortunately......

A "proud as Punch" Ted Ward (photo right) in front of his brand, spanking new, EH Holden Special Station Wagon (complete with white-wall tyres) in April, 1964. Ted tells how he lined up for the trials, but still regrets that he didn’t give it a go because his car was still "too new". "I should have", he said, "but it was still under warranty".

The car was photographed in front of the Telegs (or TelsOps) huts at Radschool.

"Minds, like parachutes, only function when they are open." - Nana V

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