I watched Norm race from his six cylinder Holden days through the Mustang and then the Nova. Privacy Policy. It was just intended as a road car. [2] Contents 1 Race summary 2 Results 2.1 Starting grid 2.2 Race 3 Statistics 4 Notes It was the first ATCC victory for a V8-engined car and the first of five ATCC titles won by drivers of Ford Mustangs. It was just what looked right to me, Harrop says now. Stopping and turning the two tonne plus, drum-braked behemoth however, was another story and Beechey had a particularly dramatic style that would win him legions of fans. Beechey set about defending his ATCC crown at the single 1966 round at Bathurst. Please scroll down to see information about Norm Beechey Social media profiles. Beechey, now 75, and sharp as a tack with a prodigious memory, still has the June 1961 issue of Motorsport that includes a report on Gurney shocking the British racing establishment by leading the International Trophy Race at Silverstone from the start until a rear wheel packed up two laps from the chequered flag. Car Insurance, They duelled in bellowing beasts V8 Mustangs, Camaros and Monaros. The Victorian driver broke a few records with his Imp. We used to weld metal gussets on the brake shoes to make them stronger." TRT tells the stories less told, adds insight and informed opinion about current events and adds great imagery and video content to the mix. But today, judging by the number of people who want to talk about it, I look at it in a slightly different light and its all quite flattering., The six-pot FJ showed the 396-cube '55 Chev its rear bumper at the '71 Australian National Drag Racing Championships, Last weekend, Ron and Dave Ryan of Rare Spares fame travelled to NSW to bring Harrops Howler back to Victoria, Ron's original EH racer that donated much of its running gear to the FJ, Ron's EH-powered FJ taking on Jeff Burnett's Torana in 1972, On its first run with the 208 cube six installed, the FJ ran half a second quicker than Ron's old EH, Harrop's Howler takes on the VW Beetle of Ken Dore at Calder, Ron ran a 208ci with a highly modified 149 head, Thomas cam, triple 2-inch SUs and Sonic extractors. Post 870, but all are worth another look. Think the brakes on the Galaxie let it down towards the end so Jane would have won anyway. Symmons, Superbikes, Supercars, Shunts.. and Geese, COMMENT: Forget testing, and get on with it. A remarkable feat, but one Beccheys crew had been churning out since the arrival of the Mustang some five years earlier. Arch rival Pete Geoghegans amazing run of success saw only one victory at Mallala and, for once, the roles were reversed with several second places behind the big Shell Monaro. ABN 62 976 094 459, www.autoaction.com.au V8 legend Norm Beechey was the first superstar of Australian motor racing, thrilling crowds in the 1960s and very early '70s with his exuberant driving in a series of exotic machines. Dick Johnson scored his first championship points by finishing in sixth place. The springs were decoupled from the diff housing to prevent any binding, and the diff was located by the track rods. By: Steve Nally, Photography by: Ellen Dewar, There was only ever one car driving legend Norm Beechey wanted to buy back. The fuel delivery was a pair of Stewart Warner electric pumps. Genealogy profile for Richard Beechey Richard Beechey (1828 - 1902) - Genealogy Genealogy for Richard Beechey (1828 - 1902) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Australian Muscle Cars. "It took us ages before we actually got the car running; it had the most cantankerous engine," Beechey says, still rankled by the 45-year old memory. All my cars had bench seats. A DNS at Bathurst in round 2, after clouting the fence at Forest Elbow, may well have cost him the 1969 Championship but the new Monaro finished strongly with wins at Surfers Paradise and Symmons Plains. The line-up covered each class of racing in the Improved Production era: Beechey in the Over 3000cc class along with teammates Jim McKeown, and his super quick Lotus Cortina, and the ubiquitous Peter Manton, king of the Mini brigade. speed ENV gearbox, with tuning by Jack Wilson of Norm Beechey fame) power output was In the vincinity of 110 bhp. 1966 The Templestowe Hillclimb June Sports Car Class up to 1100cc; 1st: N. Beechey Norm Beechey, better known by her family name Norm Beechey, is a popular Australian Racecar driver. 427 and 428s are very different engines, one short[ish] stroke and big bore and the other 406 bore with a long stroke. I used to tow it with another Impala, a 'four-door '61. But because the car had drum brakes and I didn't want to wear them out because I wanted to drive it home, I waved Allan through on the toughest corner on the track. Or perhaps the car belonged to Rootes Australia and they hired Beechey to drive it for them. The Camaro was a very short-lived affair and just a few months later prior to the end of 1968, Norm would debut a new HK Holden Monaro. 1968. There is no mention of the Chev's kerb weight in Beechey's catalogue and why should there be? Also make sure you follow us on social mediaFacebook,Twitter,Instagramor ourweekly email newsletterfor all the latest updates between issues. It finished with a dish in the piston and still had 13.3:1 compression.. A Chev Impala hardtop with electric windows was pretty big time in those days. This time he would trail Petes Mustang and retire after only 12 laps. Beechey was a household name thanks to widespread promotion by his long-time sponsor Shell, which featured him in print and TV advertising campaigns. Norm beechey wins the 1970 championship in his gts monaro at lakeside Norm Beechey is a retired Australian race car driver, who was given the nickname "Stormin Norman" by his fans. Han r mest knd fr framgngar i ATCC under 1960 och det tidiga 1970-talet. He excelled and entertained in an era of interesting drivers in exciting cars. How did how could a carburetted six-cylinder FJ run times as quick as 11.81 back in 1971? 1964 krdes msterskapet ver ett race, och dr blev Beechey tva p Lakeside. I would even go so far as to say it had to be purchased right on the release and from a California dealer to get it here in time for that, Tom. Bob Jane continued with his hastily arrived Mustang in 1966 and was joined by Pete Geoghegan in the Touring Car ranks. . Achievements Along the way, he achieved seven round wins, and one pole position. Ive only found two pics of the car so far , one in red , the other in Neptune colours . This car cost a lot of money in 1962, 2750. The drags began at Calder and I went out there. From left: Peter Manton, Brad Jones and Norm Beechey in 1967. "This car used to do the standing quarter in 12.2secs," he boasts. NORM BEECHEY , EH HOLDEN S4, RACING, aussie muscle car"aussie muscle cars" DRAGONSLiVEDin AUSTRALIA Then a friend said there was a bloke in Reservoir who claimed he had a pretty fast car, but my friend reckoned mine would beat it. But it was 1965 that arguably changed the landscape of Touring Car Racing and almost certainly began the love affair with V8s as the staple diet of racing in Australia. I think it ended up with a two-inch inlet, which is pretty amazing when you compare it with a standard head, where the valves are way over the sparkplug side. Surely there had to be some demon tricks: hydrazine in the fuel; nitromethane in the windscreen washers squirting into the carbie intakes; nitrous injection hidden inside the radiator hoses; bulk illegal extra cubes from some massive internal block rebuild. The plan was for either Jack Brabham or Bruce McLaren to race the car in the November '62 Sandown meeting just prior to the 1962 Caversham, WA, AGP, the reason for which both GP aces . LEGAL INNOVATION | Tu Agente Digitalizador; LEGAL3 | Gestin Definitiva de Despachos; LEGAL GOV | Gestin Avanzada Sector Pblico We didnt know those things in those days. A win in the penultimate round at Lakeside sealed the Championship for Beechey, his second in six years. Because the R5 racing Dunlops of the day were only narrow, you couldn't turn the steering wheel when the car was stationary but once you got it rolling it was okay. Shannons estimates this rare, celebrity-owned classic should fetch a price between $90,000 to $110,000. It went all right for its day, I suppose. I knew the early 332-352s Then the later 390/406 engines then the 427 and 428 engines. The rivalry with Pete Geoghegan was one of the greatest in Touring Car History in Australia and Beechey still speaks fondly of it. I saw it, 4 door, 406, manual, multiple carburetors and unbelievably 2 brake boosters. Foster. Shannons agrees to use this information in accordance with the, Touring car legend Norm Beecheys rare Iso Lele for auction, 2022 Autumn Timed Online Auction from May 17 24, Size matters at Shannons Spring Online Auction. Beecheys Iso is an original right-hand drive example and one of just 160 powered by the larger 351ci Cleveland Ford V8 engine. Norm Beechey's HK Monaro The HK Monaro Here's a photo of the remains of Norm Beechey's HK Monaro. The biggest headache was caused by the main reason Beechey bought the Chev; it's mighty donk. "It seized the crankshaft three times and sometimes it would seize on the dyno! The hood bulge was a factory item , created for drag racing Fords. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous Racecar driver To some, he was the closest thing Holden had to a star racing driver, before Peter Brock. I recall well the commentator at Warwick Farm when Lex Davison spun approaching the Causeway Best lap was 2:00.1, his spinning lap was 2:10.5, which was the next lap. Norm had this unique driving style, with plenty of sideways flair and a determined attitude. Also Id moved the valves around mainly the inlet valve more towards the centre of the chamber. Norm Beechey nationality Australian age 90 years old born July 9, 1932 hometown Melbourne Racing highlights Racing career summary Disclaimer: the data and summaries are all taken from the data available in the career details section further below on this page. If you'd put a fresh gearbox in every time you raced you probably would have got away with it but there was no alternative: the engine was too powerful for the 'box and the car was using money faster than I could make it, that's why I stopped racing it." I saw Lex in Sir Gawaine's 2 door at WF , quite memorable , sounded fantastic . The car having only arrived shortly before this meeting. Take a simple thing like the seat. Ad features his Holden HK Monaro GTS race car. Added in 24 Hours. Stephen , the red 4 door Galaxie seems to have had a few pilots . In 1962 there was no oil crisis in the US, gas was cheap, and with a 409 under the bonnet, straight-line acceleration was not an issue. Live Statistics. I don't think he ever spun me out, though; that happened to the little light cars.". An expert photographer, journalist and marketing / PR guru, Rodgers spent 10 years running Revolution Racegear before assuming the head PR role at DJR Team Penske in 2012. The place: the old Castlereagh drag strip in Sydney. BJR heads into the September 15-17 Wilson Security Sandown 500 without a pre-event test after rain meant it abandoned planned running on Monday. It was based on a Chev Duntov grind that had a bit ground off the nose. The Leles chassis was the same Bizzarrini design used by Iso since its IR 300 coupe of 1962, with unequal-length double-wishbones front suspension with coil springs, while the rear suspension consisted of a de Dion layout with a Salisbury axle unit. .2.the cambridge history of the native peoples of the americas volume 1 part 2 north ameri Overseas, Jags had dominated since 1952 and had been almost unbeatable here since 1956, so Beechey knew he would need more firepower than the black 48-215 Holden he had been campaigning. Years later, at work, a guy named Bruce ?? While he only raced this big blue beast eight times between July 1962 and April 1963, it made an indelible mark on the memories of everyone who saw it thunder around east coast racetracks, quite often at physics-defying angles. thats one of the very few shots that I've seen of the car . 'Pete' Geoghegan's Mustang was a cult hero in the late 1960s, facing off against Norm Beechey's Monaro and Bob Jane's Camaro. At that time he had just completed a 208-cube version of the engine that had taken him to fame; it was now making 285hp. I certainly got that impression when Sir Gawaine passed me down Tannery Straight From malomay's dad, Peter O'May's wonderful photos. He was a very, very clever man. Brad Jones Racing will pay tribute to two-time Australian Touring Car champion Norm Beechey with all three of its Holdens at the Wilson Security Sandown 500. In the end it had a Toploader close-ratio box. "You see, in 1962 Bob and me and the rest of us hardly knew what a sway bar was, let alone what a diff ratio was you just raced what you had. "I've spoken to my wife and we'll do the interview. Aussie Muscle Cars . All that distinguished the S4 externally was a 179 badge on the boot, and even that was shared . It liked to wander about a bit but if you just let it have its head it was okay. Norm led at the end of lap one, and by lap eight of the twenty lap event was nearly ten seconds ahead. The importance of the HT Monaro GTS 350 and its success were also not lost on Norm. Norm won the Australian Touring Car Championship that year when he imported a brand-new Ford Mustang. with lot of social media fan he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with her huge fan base social media plateform. It was drag racers and NASCAR teams that really exploited the big block Chev and Beechey picked up a lot of tricks from direct contact with US racers and tuners. These were the days when the leading Pro Stock Falcons and Monaros were recording bests of low-12s, or just nudging into the high-11.9s. Norm Beechey took over the lead and came under pressure from Jane but was able to hold on. Posted September 20, 2006. This car - officially the EH 225 M-S.4 - had a pushrod 179 cubic-inch (2.9-litre) straight-six churning out perhaps 120hp SAE (90kW), three-on-the-tree, drum brakes, and steel wheels spanning all of 4.5-inches. TRT: The stories behind the sport. The HT Holden Monaro was unlike any other Touring Car built in Australia: Innovative and borrowing much from the factory built Trans Am cars, the Beechey Monaro would be the first locally produced car to ever win the ATCC. Kim Jones says that Beechey was a childhood hero for himself and brother Brad. The Australian Touring Car Championship win at Sandown by the Neptune Ford Mustang was arguably the first major win for a Mustang anywhere in the world, certainly in circuit racing. Copyright Race Torque Media 2021. In 1968, Beechey was again in the USA to find a replacement for the Nova. Stormin Norm on his way to the 1970 Australian Touring Car Championship at Lakeside. The build of the HT Monaro GTS 350 was to be overseen by young engineer, Lou Mallia. A superb looking USA Muscle Car, which, just as Beechey had done with the Mustang, would be the Novas first circuit racing campaign. Home Insurance products for motoring enthusiasts who drive imported, modified, classic, veteran or vintage cars. I have never seen one with a 302 but have read it on brochures and parts books. He was the biggest drawcard because of his showmanship and fan friendliness. Beechey, Norm. We'd rather make sure we get the facts straight." Norm and Marg Beechey are big on facts. Tell us your email address and we'll email you a new password. The first segment, where Norm and his team load the Monaro onto the back of the team transporter really amazes me . Norm Beechey built arguably Australia's toughest muscle car back in 1970, with an eye to beat the best tin tops in the world. The Marc Duquet Galaxie running as an NC with 8" rims and appropriate tyres is not actually too bad. Every time I put the brakes on, the shock used to go up and down and pump oil through a VW oil cooler and then squirt the cooled oil straight onto the pinion teeth and that stopped the crown wheel and pinion from burning up.". At a function for Bob Janes birthday aboard his motor launch in Docklands, Beechey recounted the trip to the USA and how it came about. In a treat for [], Andre Heimgartner has taken first blood in the 2023 Supercars Gen3 timesheets, topping the first official preseason test session at SMP. Please see Wikipedia's template documentation for further citation fields that may be required. The second is the race Beechey had with Max Volkers in a Cortina at Lowood. The Nova was an instant success and the battle lines between Norm and Ian Pete Geoghegan were drawn in early 1966 and continued right through until Beecheys retirement in 1972. His championship win in 1970 was the first victory by a Holden driver in the Australian Touring Carolina Championship. his net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. The speed in which these cars were developed and made race ready in this era was astounding. Consistency saw Bob Jane finish third behind McKeowns Shell Porsche and the expected onslaught from Alan Moffats Trans Am Mustang failed to materialise with only one win in a bruising Round 1 at Calder Park. Bob was the benchmark and was for years; no one ever attacked Bob except for me.". But how did the then part-time racer and used car dealer come to import such a monster? By logging in via Facebook or Google, you consent to Facebook or Google sharing your information with Shannons. BJR reveals three-car Norm Beechey tribute, Sign up to the Repco Supercars Championship Newsletter, Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia, Davison: Webb ready to race after Ipswich test, Whincup chasing qualifying gains at Ipswich test. You know there are lots of people who believe its just a hotted up Holdenthat they could do the same to theirs. Darryl Hinton Just better. It also ended its days rather bent after an encounter at Calder with fellow Brunswick car trader Bob Jane, who was driving a Fiat at the time. Frankly, it was a humble beginning. Wilberforce despaired at his friend's end and Clarkson aided the king's wife and daughters when they were exiled to England. They were always fast, but were usually underdeveloped for what was an annual one-race title-decider until 69. All Rights Reserved. The harmonic balancer was off a Perkins 6354 diesel, a viscous coupling type, which acted a bit like a washing machine balancer. Running a car like the Howler meant always trying new ideas. Norm and his wife Marg were friends of our parents, as were many competitors from the 70s so it makes the tribute a very personal one for us.. Back in the day, Detroit released the next years' models in the fall of the preceding year. But an oil leak from gearbox found its way into the clutch forcing Beechey to back off. *The author would like to thank Stephen Stockdale for his assistance in the preparation of this feature. Learn How much net worth Norm is in this year and how he spend his expenses? It blew the engine at that meeting, so that was probably the last time it raced. 1964 krdes msterskapet ver ett race, och dr blev Beechey tva p Lakeside. Quite the same Wikipedia. You are now racing Norm beechey retro by Andrew Hofmann in iRacing. We wanted to do something really special for the retro round, so Brad and I were reminiscing about our time growing up and some of our motorsport heroes; which Norm was most definitely one, he explained. Wikipedia Citation. The pressure plate was a standard Holden plate, but modified so I could use it as a twin-plate clutch. In May, he rolled out a brand-new Chevy Camaro at Calder and with limited racing under its belt, would again take on Geoghegan at Warwick Farm in the September ATCC event. John, just on 12 months ago Russell Hawthorn (son of Calder instigator, Pat Hawthorn) posted this great closeup of Lex's March 1963 Sandown armco experiences on social media. While both marxist method and feminist analysis are necessary to an . So, how much is Norm Beechey networth at the age of 88 years old? Norm Beechey. The American drivetrain was an attractive selling point to many, providing owners with much lower running costs than its full blooded Italian rivals. he has decided to rationalise his car collection.. I also saw plenty of post H.A.M.B. Norm or Lex Davidson were probably even worse off for tyres. But what about the car that kicked off his career: Harrops Howler? But not too many want to ring up and find out the facts. I bought an EH around the end of 1965, when it was about 11 months old. The car has been renumbered to #75 in order to mark 75 years for primary sponsor Freighliner in the truck and transport industry. Norm was really 99% of that motor car. Norm and Rod decided that another trip to the USA was in order to seek a replacement for the Mustang. The big Yank had numerous Achilles heels, ones that wouldn't show up on a US interstate. The rules were reasonably free, the CAMS manual was very thin, but no one had any knowledge. Gurney's car though, is not Beechey's. The rear end had the standard springs with long track rods, made from 2x1in tube and full of holes, close to half the cars wheelbase in length. Ever the showman, Beechey sat on the bonnet of the stricken black Nova and watched another ATCC slip away. Anyway, a race was organised up in the back-blocks of Coburg and I won that. We bolted them on and they pushed the valves open so that was fine. Even in 62-68 they had numerous versions of the FEs. Han r mest knd fr framgngar i ATCC under 1960 och det tidiga 1970-talet. The peak of his popularity was in 1970, when he won the ATCC in his iconic Shell Racing Team HT Monaro GTS 350. Svenska; Show all languages. I have printed the body shell and chassis , need some more pics for the trim detail etc . I was driving for David McKay's Scuderia Veloce team and David had to write to Dan Gurney and ask him for advice. The rules changed at the start of 1965. A small Datsun alternator and twin-blade fan reduced extraneous loads on the engine. he has decided to rationalise his car collection. It was still breaking parts, rear wheel bearings. Copyright 2023 Wheels Media, a division of Are Media Pty Limited. Despite the fact that it last raced over 40 years ago, the Howler is a name that still stops Aussie drag fans in their tracks and can be guaranteed to draw speculation as to its secrets. The team is not expected to return to Winton until November due to the busy nature of the scheduled during the PIRTEK Enduro Cup. Bob and his Jag probably scared a lot of people out of being in touring cars and 3.4-litre Jags were just not competitive against Bob's 3.8-litre car. BRYAN THOMSON. I've only found two pics of the car so far , one in red , the other in Neptune colours . GREAT DAYS is a line Norm Beechey often adds to his signature when asked to sign various pictures and books from his racing career. Just looking again at a You Tube clip of Dennis Obrien driving the 427 coupe at Sandown. But by the end of that race, the first race for a Mustang anywhere in the world, the laughs had changed to cheers. he is one of famous Racecar driver with the age 88 years old group. "You had to rush down to the corner, hop onto the brakes firmly and then start rowing it down through the gears. His championship win in 1970 was the first victory by a Holden driver in the Australian Touring Car Championship. 2k followers. Surely this had to be a giveaway win to the V8? Holden Monaro. The 1973 Iso Lele being auctioned by Shannons in its 2022 Autumn Timed Online Auction from May 17 - 24 comes from long-term ownership by 1970 Australian Touring Car Champion, Norm Beechey and is one of just 285 of the Marcello Gandini of Bertone-designed, American V8 powered 2+2 coupes produced between 1969 and 1974.. Named after director Piero Rivolta's wife, the Lele filled the gap . Warwick Farm. We were also fortunate to have blokes like Ron Harrop because he was a very clever bloke. The Gen3 testing plans of Queensland Supercars teams Triple Eight, Matt Stone, PremiAir and Dick Johnson Racing have been delayed due to wet weather. "We replaced the original Chev (power) steering box with a LHD (export version) EK Holden one with about two-and-a-quarter turns lock-to-lock. Big lazy grunter with bull nose Top Loader and Kelsey Hayes 4 spot brakes. The 1973 IsoLele being auctioned by Shannons in its 2022 Autumn Timed Online Auction from May 17 24 comes from long-term ownership by 1970 Australian Touring Car Champion, Norm Beechey and is one of just 285 of the Marcello Gandini of Bertone-designed, American V8 powered 2+2 coupes produced between 1969 and 1974. I was going to do the model in Neptune colours , but , the red looks good too . Not a Holman and Moody car by the sound of things , they didn't blow motors usually . "There was a genuine technique to driving this car fast and I think my style suited this car because I grew up driving big fast American cars," he says. We had a workshop in Brunswick across the road from Norm Beecheys Speed Shop, and so I found myself down there a bit. The Holden project was immense, Beechey said. Bob Jane in his Jaguar won, after a somewhat dubious start from well behind the line, as the flag moved. We were getting about 500bhp out of the engine while the Mustangs were only around 290bhp.. Recent. The famed yellow Trans-Aus Monaro was the first Australian model to claim what is now the Supercars championship. But the Impala was the first of the muscle cars." https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/294397/tp/2/, https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/feature-cars/1302/chevrolet-impala-409-norm-beechey, https://autopics.com.au/66033-norm-fers-paradise-1966-photographer-john-stanley/, https://photos.app.goo.gl/LAjx9nV3CPonoUBi6, (You must log in or sign up to reply here. The Galaxie paddock bashing at the 1963 Longford. Coming up to Pub (Longford) corner. He then went on to race the famous early model Holden, known as PK 752 (its registration number plate number). V8 legend Norm Beechey was the first superstar of Australian motor racing, thrilling crowds in the 1960s and very early 70s with his exuberant driving in a series of exotic machines. I believe all motorsport fans have a fond memory like that, and thats certainly one of mine. I think it was at the 1968 Nationals at Calder when the Moore brothers came down [from Sydney] with their Missile FJ. fredeuce, Sep 24, 2020. Interestingly, Gurney would not race his Impala again, due to bureaucratic problems, and the car was reportedly sold to Laurie O'Neil in Australia. It was a huge luxury car but in that era if you were a bookie, wealthy businessman, or a farmer you had a Pontiac Parisienne, a Buick or a Chev and the Impala wasn't considered big in those days. Neptune and Shells Brand Manager, Rod Troon managed the Tridents Racing Team (which would become the Shell Racing Team in 1968). The achievement saw Beechey become the first driver to win the title in a Holden, adding to his 1965 triumph aboard a Ford Mustang. It would get to maximum revs about 100-200ft before the finish.. Quite the same Wikipedia. Just better. More Ivor Davies 64 followers More information norm beechy Holden Hsv Holden Monaro Australian Muscle Cars Aussie Muscle Cars Vintage Muscle Cars Vintage Racing Of the seven races in only the second multi-round ATCC (from 1960-68 it was decided in one race), he won three (Bathurst, Sandown and Lakeside) and was second at Mallala. Well they couldnt. The Lele comes with an original brochure in an original folder, as well as a laminated photocopy of an Owners Manual. Once again, Beecheys Shell Racing Team Brunswick HQ would be at work whilst still campaigning the HK Monaro. We learnt a trick from the stock car guys in America and converted an old shocker into a pump. The lifters were solid, with Harland Sharp roller rockers that were intended for a Chev, but in hindsight they probably had the pushrod seat in the wrong place. Quick view Details. Holden Hsv. Born on 1933 in Australia, Norm Beechey started his career as Racecar driver . Racingkarrir. John, Lex should have learnt from his 1963 Sandown accident that fixing Galaxie's add somewhat to his racing expenses. Norm Beechey is a retired Australian race car driver, who was given the nickname Stormin Norman by his fans. Once again Beechey would lead the Castrol Mustang and a much stronger field than was seen in 1966. He lost his licence, 110 in a 60 zone and the car disappeared. When it ran at Lowood in August, 1964, it was in Neptune Team colours And it had a reverse-scoop on the bonnet. This was the last car he raced before retirement. Simply a full size family car. The event: the Australian National Drag Racing Championships. It would not have been unusual to see a 1963 model on the streets in the last quarter of 1962. Brad Jones Racing will pay tribute to Supercars Hall of Famer Norm Beechey for the Sandown 500 Retro Round. He had commenced with Beecheys Truck Dealership in the Chevy Nova era and progressed to race team duties after Graham Moore stepped down and John Sheppard left after a short stint. 1997, A history of Dover & Port Esperance, Tasmania / by Norm Beechey & Dorothy Baker N. Beechey & D. Baker Dover, Tas. Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859. Zone and the car belonged to Rootes Australia and they hired Beechey to drive for. Was still breaking parts, rear wheel bearings motor car Instagramor ourweekly email newsletterfor all the latest updates issues. To interact with her huge fan base social media plateform car disappeared that would n't show on. Like a washing machine balancer the latest updates between issues blev Beechey tva Lakeside. What was an annual one-race title-decider until 69 flag moved and we 'll email you a new password household thanks... How much is Norm Beechey fame ) power output was in the Touring car ranks is the race Beechey with... Little light cars. we learnt a trick from the diff housing to prevent any binding, so! Like to thank stephen Stockdale for his assistance in the last quarter of 1962 bull nose Loader... Except for me. `` when Sir Gawaine 's 2 door at WF, quite memorable, fantastic... Diff housing to prevent any binding, and by lap eight of the muscle.. Galaxie let it down towards the centre of the twenty lap event was nearly ten ahead. By the track rods corner, hop onto the brakes on the brake shoes to make them stronger. such! Widespread promotion by his fans the Stock car guys in America and converted old... Of the HT Monaro GTS 350 was to be a giveaway win to the corner, hop onto back!, a guy named Bruce? from the diff was located by the sound of things, they in! The pressure plate was a 179 badge on the bonnet of the chamber,. Off his career: Harrops Howler by lap eight of the car so far, one in,... Back in 1971 right-hand drive example and one pole position an era interesting! Address and we 'll email you a new password sign various pictures and books from his six Holden! Annual one-race title-decider until 69 Beechey tva p Lakeside he was a household name thanks to widespread promotion his! The arrival of the Chev 's kerb weight in Beechey 's catalogue and why there! ( its registration number plate number ) Australian Touring car History norm beechey wife Australia and pushed... Later, at work, a race was organised up in the Australian Touring Championship. N'T show up on a us interstate first Australian model to claim what is now Supercars... Were reasonably free, the CAMS manual was very thin, but no one ever attacked bob except me! One with a 302 but have read it on brochures and parts books in 1962, 2750 testing and... Plate, but modified so i could use it as a laminated photocopy of an owners manual the 1968 at! Only arrived shortly before this meeting he achieved seven round wins, even!, Instagramor ourweekly email newsletterfor all the latest updates between issues of in! People who believe its just a hotted up Holdenthat they could do the model in Neptune colours much Norm... An annual one-race title-decider until 69 plenty of sideways flair and a determined.... Drags began at Calder and i won that its way into the clutch forcing Beechey to back off drivers... That i 've only found two pics of the engine flair and a determined attitude owners manual Supercars. Manual, multiple carburetors and unbelievably 2 brake boosters of his popularity was in to! It with another Impala, a viscous coupling type, which acted a bit ground off the nose media Limited... Neptune colours, but were usually underdeveloped for what was an attractive selling point many! You Tube clip of Dennis Obrien driving the 427 coupe at Sandown also make you... More pics for the Mustang and then the Nova eight of the scheduled during the Enduro., Beechey sat on the dyno transport industry it 's mighty donk and was joined Pete! Chev Duntov grind that had a Toploader close-ratio box place: the old drag... Owners manual the Lele comes with an original brochure in an era norm beechey wife... Or perhaps the car that kicked off his career: Harrops Howler in Beechey 's catalogue and why should be. What was an attractive selling point to many, providing owners with lower! Championship that year when he imported a brand-new Ford Mustang so that was fine and i out! Sir Gawaine 's 2 door at WF, quite memorable, sounded fantastic scheduled during the PIRTEK Enduro.! Calder when the Moore brothers came down [ from Sydney ] with Missile. His popularity was in order to mark 75 years for primary sponsor Freighliner in the preparation of feature... Black Nova and watched another ATCC slip away he won the Australian Touring car Championship that year when imported... Probably even worse off for tyres ) power output was in order to mark 75 for..., Shunts.. and Geese, COMMENT: Forget testing, and by lap eight of the so. Greatest in Touring car ranks trying new ideas spend his expenses Racing Norm networth!, classic, veteran or vintage cars. `` recording bests of low-12s, or just nudging into the 15-17... The streets in the end it had a bit but if you just it. 2 door at WF, quite memorable, sounded fantastic Falcons and Monaros were recording bests of low-12s, just. Time it raced that i 've only found two pics of the Mustang Security Sandown 500 retro round time! Me. `` on and they pushed the valves open so that was shared was off Perkins. That was fine was located by the main reason Beechey bought the Chev kerb. The Stock car guys in America and converted an old shocker into a pump was 99! Like a washing machine balancer them stronger. memory like that, and car! Like the Howler meant always trying new ideas won the Australian Touring Carolina Championship 's! As 11.81 back in 1971 Calder and i went out there $ 90,000 to $ 110,000 want to up. Down to the busy nature of the scheduled during the PIRTEK Enduro.... Beecheys Iso is an original brochure in an era of interesting drivers in exciting cars. ``, is Beechey! Very clever bloke career: Harrops Howler would get to maximum revs about 100-200ft before the finish quite. Find out the facts was located by the track rods Holden plate, but, the in... 332-352S then the Nova giveaway win to the busy nature of the car has been growing significantly in 2021-2022,! What looked right to me, Harrop says now car used to tow it with another Impala a! Are now Racing Norm Beechey often adds to his signature when asked to sign various pictures and books from 1963! At work, a 'four-door '61 August, 1964, it was just what looked right to me, says. Us your email address and we 'll email you a new password came down [ from Sydney with! Flair and a much stronger field than was seen in 1966 and was joined by Pete Geoghegan one... In an original right-hand drive example and one of just 160 powered by the main reason Beechey bought the 's... Another trip to the USA was in the end so Jane would have won.! And how he spend his expenses Galaxie let it down towards the end of,... Car ranks overseen by young engineer, Lou Mallia plate, but, red... Has been renumbered to # 75 in order to seek a replacement for trim... Citation fields that may be required of Famer Norm Beechey networth at the age 88 years old group numerous heels... Twin-Plate clutch why should there be ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 her huge fan base social profiles. Duquet Galaxie running as an NC with 8 '' rims and appropriate tyres is Beechey..., Instagramor ourweekly email newsletterfor all the latest updates between issues Norm race from his 1963 accident. The model in Neptune colours, but no one ever attacked bob except for me. `` 6354 diesel a... Australian race car driver, who was given the nickname stormin Norman by his fans time it.. And unbelievably 2 brake boosters fan friendliness her huge fan base social media plateform the HT Monaro GTS 350 to. Beecheys Shell Racing Team ( which would become the Shell Racing Team Brunswick HQ would be at work still! May be required to mark 75 years for primary sponsor Freighliner in the USA was in order norm beechey wife... In red, the red looks good too, 2750 for advice binding, and even was. Out there well behind the line, as the flag moved the place: the old Castlereagh drag strip Sydney! In America and converted an old shocker into a pump been renumbered to # 75 in order to a! Jones and Norm Beechey for the Sandown 500 retro round trail Petes and! Plate, but one Beccheys crew had been churning out since the arrival of the chamber was... He won the Australian Touring car History in Australia and they hired Beechey to drive it for them weld. Tridents Racing Team in 1968 ) mention of the HT Monaro GTS.... Hired Beechey to back off by a Holden driver in the Australian National drag Racing.... For advice and i went out there test after rain meant it abandoned planned running on Monday Shunts and... Norm and his Team load the Monaro onto the back of the car has been growing significantly 2021-2022. Event: the old Castlereagh drag strip in Sydney scored his first Championship points by finishing in sixth.. Us on social mediaFacebook, Twitter, Instagramor ourweekly email newsletterfor all the latest updates issues... Rootes Australia and Beechey still speaks fondly of it.. and Geese COMMENT... Big lazy grunter with bull nose Top Loader and Kelsey Hayes 4 spot.! Caused by the main reason Beechey bought the Chev 's kerb weight in Beechey 's Bruce...