Sydney Motorsports Park- Summer Festival Races December 3-4, 2022
By: Ernie Nagamatsu
Fri, Dec 9, 2022, 5:12 PM
etnracer@aol.com
1959 Old Yeller
II Buick Special
A staggering,
stupendous, stupefying, and sideways saga ‘Down Under’
We returned to
Eastern Creek Circuit, now known as Sydney Motorsports Park after over
15 years, to race our Old Yeller II. In May, the Old Yeller II was sent
in a container to Australia along with our 1971 Two Door Datsun 510,
which will be properly race prepped and has an HMSA log book. The Old
Yeller II had major overheating issues with a DNF’ at Kent WA races
and again a DNF’ at the Velocity Races and much work between and after
with many attempts to resolve. Mark Johnson is one of the finest skilled
race prep individuals and he took the OY II for a track test in AU. The
OY II immediately overheated and the source of problem was the broken
Buick Nailhead engine. We now faced the near impossible task of finding
a Hi Performance Buick 401 Nailhead motor and we contacted legendary
builder of Nailhead motors… Seme & Son located in Ohio. The only
401 motor they had was a ‘blue printed’ Hi-Po’ 4o1 Nailhead with
special custom engine parts that was used as their PR/ SEMA
video/display motor and exhibits. We encouraged them that we had an
emergency problem needing that Hi Po motor and reluctantly they sold the
motor to us with re-checking the motor and they made a special wood
crate for shipping. We contracted with an Air Freight Company as we were
given an ETA of November 14, 2022 into Melbourne. The crate motor got
waylaid to end up in Sydney and required truck transport to Melbourne.
We had paid $500+ for a CARNET so to bring back the motor to USA within
one year… and that CARNET was sent to Ohio to be attached to crate
motor as required. Unbelievable news that the CARNET was lost by Airline
and replacement required and as of December 9th the motor is still
locked down in Customs and now in Quarantine needing fumigation. Mark
Johnson somehow did the impossible to repair the broken engine for the
races.
We arrived at
the track on Friday for track testing and the motor pulled like never
seen before. Mark worked on the suspension problems, panhard re-located,
new shocks and the handling was better than all the years of racing the
Old Yeller II with good predictability. We enjoyed seeing the many great
fans again and solid like the legendary AU meat pies with great support
from Organizers with the OY II as feature in the race program. It was a
‘high’ honor to be placed in a special grid of legendary iconic
blindingly fast Formula cars, including Can Am type race-cars and
drivers with exceptional skills. Our race grid included 8 Brabhams, 3
Coopers, 8 Elfins, and a swift 1983 Chevron B16.
Saturday
Sessions/ Races went well with only incident of a ‘lock out’ of the
shifter and was fixed. The motor pulled so strong that we had a taller
gear changed out for higher speeds on the long front straight and it was
faultless. The ‘high’ was having our great team together once again
with, from New Zealand came Paul (nephew of Bruce McLaren) and Kerrie,
John and Sandy (niece of Bruce McLaren) and John Taylor from LA. Another
‘high’ was having such a monumental dedicated non- stop race support
by Mark and his wife Nikki worked side by side with Mark all weekend, in
the manner of Ina Balchowsky helping Max with the OY II… inspiring and
touching the hearts of our very proud Team.
Rick Knoop came
to do sessions in the “low key” non-race sessions, which are just a
basic personal timed event in the “Regularity” group with a mix of
slower cars and very mixed levels of drivers. Regularity is popular in
AU and it is like an easy informal ‘Track Day.” In the very last
session for Rick on Sunday afternoon and session just before my Special
Trophy Race, yellow flags flew and Marshals announced on radios, “#70,
smash, in wall, tow, Turn 2.” Rick was in the “Regularity”
session and he attempted to make a pass following the exit of Turn 1,
the very fastest turn of the entire circuit, funneling in to a not wide
short stretch, passing an Alpine Car at the immediate right. A massive
spinning shunt for the OY II occurred breaking both steering arms and
extensive, heavy body damage including the left front fender lifted up
and heavily crushing of left side body and tail. Good news, as Rick was
fine after a Medical Center check. I was race dressed and ready for my
“L-M-O” Sunday Feature Dawson- Damer Trophy race grid and OY II was
on a Tow Truck and not in a rolling condition with front tire/wheels
completely splayed out.
I got a call up
from Stewards of the race to bring my Old Yeller II Log book. They
entered in the Log Book the required incident report. They noted the
extensive damage on the OY II and reminded to me that a CAMS clearance/
examination will be required to race the OY II again. I asked what
happened and the Steward said that the big shunt/ accident was a “Racing
incident.” He asked about the pass in Regularity?
The ‘high’
was the emotional presenting Mark and Nikki with a special Drivers
racing bag from ASF and also with a vintage period 1950s Road Racing
Trophy signed by all of our Team members. Tears flowed seeing Nikki’s
big tears of disappointment of not having the OY II enter the Final
Feature Sunday Trophy Race and having put in all of her heart and spirit
working hard all weekend. Both were so proud the OY II was finally
working for the very first time in it’s racing years, to it’s full
potential and ‘rockin’ hard all weekend. It was a blur of yellow
with the ‘401 Nailhead bellowing, roaring, and pulling like the
proverbial ‘freight train’ every lap all weekend, up to late Sunday
afternoon. There were big Team hugs all around and helped load up the
deeply hurt, looking remorseful, and damaged Old Yeller II, appearing so
sad with splayed out front tires, like a new born calf… not to have
‘delivered’ for our Team, this time around. So many fans came by to
check in with our Team and the shunted OY II, following the big hit.’ We
will all carry on strong, as a great Team, in spite. The OY II slowly
left the Paddock in the warm orange summer glow of the late afternoon
Australian sun… in a trailer headed to Melbourne. The Old Yeller II
will rise strong again, as it has done so many times, with it’s
legendary heart touching historic wonderment it provides for our Team
and for so many others. Yes! Thanks Max and Ina for bringing us Old
Yeller II, and thanks special Team…the best and priceless!
Sydney
Motorsports Park Summer Festival Races Dec 3-4, 2022
https://www.facebook.com/geoff.russell.792/videos/703999190918612/?idorvanity=282114739009883
An honor for Old
Yeller II Buick Special to be placed in a special race group of
blindingly fast, newer, legendary rare Formula Cars with few Can Am type
race cars… racing with truly amazing skilled drivers with the required
constant “mirror watching” for the Old Yeller II Buick Special, yes
so special!
https://www.facebook.com/1010863821/videos/2874109022733848
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