Tatterall's Midgets

[bobjeffreson]

Just going through Mitch G's gallery. Came across these two photos of Bob Tattersall. This guy was one of the very best midget drivers ever. He owned the Sydney Showground! I was lucky enough to see him at his prime.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/honkertatt2.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/honkertatt.jpg

A collector in Australia has 2 of the Stroud midgets that Tattersall raced in Australia. They are restored to original Stroud/Tattersall livery. There is some debate in America as to whether they are in fact the real cars.The Australian, Graham Gallagher reckons he has had the cars verifed by the Stroud family.

Here's the #3 car as we see it at vintage meets today......

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/honker2.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/no3.jpg

This is the other Stroud midget raced by Tattersall in Australia and now owned by Graham Gallagher.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/number35.jpg

[Mitch G.]

Bob, me and Sean Hillis (a excellent fabricator, ex sprint and midget shoe, and current vintage racing expert) both posted on the HAMB web site, and this site, regarding the ex Stroud Edmunds Offy. I'm not sure, but I believe that Bob Olds in Denver has a photo of Jim Beckley (a great Denver midget driver) in the "Hut 100" at Terre Haute, IN. This would be 1970?, when he picked the car up from Stroud, and the car is still in Stoud color's. When back in Denver, Olds painted the car a beautiful deep red with silver leaf numbers, and named it "LuLu's Honker" for his wife. Point being, if this photo, or photo's exist (maybe a entry form from that race) that would help clear up the questions about the Stroud car that ended up in Denver, maybe. Here again it may be a inaccurate memory on my part, Olds told me many story's about the car, but it's been 20+ years since I heard them. LeRoy Byers has the ex Olds, Stroud, car in Denver now, maybe Sean Hillis could talk to him also.

[bobjeffreson]

Mitch,
Whatever the answer is, I'm just happy to have Offenhauser powered midgets running at full throttle at our vintage shows, that remind me of days gone by. Forget about your Fontanas, Pinks, Esslingers, Hawks etc.....a midget should sound like a OFFY as far as I'm concerned.

[bobjeffreson]

Bob Tattersall on the infield, Sydney Showground mid 1960s....

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/Tattersall-2-350.jpg

His midget as it restored today.....

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/tatt2ekka1_new.jpg

We are extremely lucky to have dedicated Australian enthusiasts that allow us to see these wonderful cars as they appeared in past times

[ArtworxFX]

Bob Tattersall was very popular over here He sure did draw the crowds! I was only young in the 60's, I can just remember him! He visited here on many occasions! Some of his Offys have stayed here and have been restored as you have mentioned,
Another car that is still here in Brisbane is the Conklin Offy from about 1968? Its a glamour I shall put some pics up when I work it out! Plus I have done a artwork print of this same car! Great times for sure!

[Mitch G.]

Nice!! Harry Conklin is a longtime Denver racing figure, I grew up watching his cars from the 1960's till the early 2000's. Great artwork, post some more of your stuff!!

[CTtoPA]

There was a black #3 he drove in the USA and AUS that will be getting restored shortly.

[bobjeffreson]

The black #3 that Tattersall raced in Australia was this unit. It was the the Mattoon Motors Offy. Reputed to be the best car to accompany Tattersall to Australia.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/Tattersallmattonmotorscar.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/Tattersallmattoonmotorsoffy1.jpg

[CTtoPA]

Yes Bob, that's the car! I'm not sure when the project will begin but I will be stopping by the shop Monday so I can find out and then keep you updated.

[bobjeffreson]

Back in the early 1960s a story went around that Bob Tatterasll won a Feature at Rowley Park Speedway Adelaide South Australia, on 3 wheels......
HE DIDN"T....but it did make a great story as I said.
He did eventually retire the car towards the end of the Race after quite a distance driving the 'trike'......

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/SCAN_0195.jpg

[bobjeffreson]

Back in the day, racers would put on a helmet and go racing!
Seems Bob Tattersall was no exception to that rule, as seen here! Driving dirt track midgets fulltime does no harm in the upper arm development I reckon !

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/SCAN_0196.jpg

[bobjeffreson]

I'm certain this has been posted elsewhere on this Forum, but after looking at it again for the millionth time, felt it needed to be on this Tattersall thread.
Tattersall at daytime practice and media occasion, Claremont Speedway, Perth Western Australia, circa 1962.
YouTube - Bob "Two Gun" Tattersall. 1969 World Speedcar Champion

[bobjeffreson]

Hey Justin,
I found another photo of Tattersall in the Mattoon Motors midget. As you can see there was no signage on the left side of the hood.


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/SCAN_0198.jpg

[bobjeffreson]

I was going through some old photos last night and came across this one. It's Bob Tattersall in the pit corner at the Sydney Showground on his 1965/66 tour. I remember buying this pic off the official photographer of the day, Larry Taylor. I was 15 years old. Looking at it again, I thought how good it was. Tatts on a midweek daytime practice/promo in a superb Offy midget. Narrow wheels, open cockpit, where you can see everything he is doing. Geez in those days you could even see their eyes!!!
Yes it was a different time. I wagged high school that day and managed to sneak into the speedway to watch......
Maybe that's why I like the photo so much......lots of terrific memories of that day.....
This car is restored an often comes out on vintage show days...I never get tired of seeing it ....

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/SCAN_0199.jpg

[Olen McGuire]

Hey Bob, keep digging in that Photobucket. You've been coming up with some great old shots, which are a pleasure to see. :cheers:

[Speedfanau]

Bob Tattersall was very popular over here He sure did draw the crowds! I was only young in the 60's, I can just remember him! He visited here on many occasions! Some of his Offys have stayed here and have been restored as you have mentioned,
Another car that is still here in Brisbane is the Conklin Offy from about 1968? Its a glamour I shall put some pics up when I work it out! Plus I have done a artwork print of this same car! Great times for sure!

1970!

[Speedfanau]

[QUOTE=bobjeffreson;5764][COLOR="Blue"]I was going through some old photos last night and came across this one. It's Bob Tattersall in the pit corner at the Sydney Showground on his 1965/66 tour. I remember buying this pic off the official photographer of the day, Larry Taylor. I was 15 years old. Looking at it again, I thought how good it was. Tatts on a midweek daytime practice/promo in a superb Offy midget. Narrow wheels, open cockpit, where you can see everything he is doing. Geez in those days you could even see their eyes!!!
Yes it was a different time. I wagged high school that day and managed to sneak into the speedway to watch......
Maybe that's why I like the photo so much......lots of terrific memories of that day.....
This car is restored an often comes out on vintage show days...I never get tired of seeing it


Thats a Bill Meyer photo. Larry did B&W Dad did colour. :)

[Speedfanau]

Bob Tattersall on the infield, Sydney Showground mid 1960s....


His midget as it restored today.....


We are extremely lucky to have dedicated Australian enthusiasts that allow us to see these wonderful cars as they appeared in past times

The top pic is another of my Dad's. That's a great copy nice colour. I have one that is very faded! :(

[bobjeffreson]

Speedfanau,
Thanks for the correction on the source of the photos. It's been a long time since I used to check out the photos at the Royale. I started when I was 14, so the memory may not always be spot on.
Both Larry and your dad are responsible for keeping wonderful memories alive.
BTW.....is this Wayne Meyer. If it is, I was one of the 2 guys that had a quick chat, when your touring party arrived outside John Waynes house, a couple of weeks ago.
Also.... Did your dad ever take any colour shots of the Mattoon Motors Offy, in the black livery. There are people restoring that car, who are on this forum, looking for some.

[aussiebloke]

The number 1 car pictured above is at a workshopshop where I take my truck for rego inspection. Its inside an air buble for display.
Next time my rego is due I will get some pics if you like.

[usaoffy75]

Bob,
to my knowledge and reliable sources the HONKER 11 Stroud Offy is part of the LeRoy Byers collection in Denver Co. it is painted red white and blue #76 as part of the Bi centenary celebrations in the USA...The Honker11 Graham has was built in Melbourne... The Big Honker #35 I found in St Lewis advertises in a Hemmings magazine and after contacting a few vintage guys down under Graham contacted me to go take a look at it....The thing that gave it away to me was the cross grooved inside front tire and I was told to look for a cut chassis brace which made it too ridge and didn't allow the chassis to flex enough...it had both...Graham has done a Beautiful job of restoring the car when I saw the car it was nothing but a chassis on wheels with a few body parts...The seller and Bob Stroud, Jack's son were put in touch with Graham and the car was shipped to Sydney....The Offy engines were sourced from Bill Jones in San Antonio Tx..
Like you I have many great memories of Bob Tattersall at the Sydney Showground I have seen him do things in a midget on one else has done my 1st time to see Tatts was Christmas 1966
when I was 15 and crew for Brian Mannion.... a few years later I was invited by Don Mackay to crew for Gary Rush when he was driving the #14 Mackay Offy...then with Ronald Mackay when they purchased the Myron Caves( #3 Offy drive by Don Meacham )...

.............Tattersall sure was King of the Dirt...........
I am the former owner of the Eric Kydd Offy which is now in Denver Co. I am still some what active in the vintage racing scene here in the States and Back home Down Under..

[bobjeffreson]

usaoffy75,
Thanks for the update on Graham's cars. This topic has had many different stories attached to it.
You're a very lucky man to own the Kydd Offy. Am I right in recalling that Kydd was building the car for Jeff Freeman to run.
BTW...Brian Mannion always had well presented and pretty cars.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/mannion88.jpg

[usaoffy75]

Hi Bob,

Yes Eric Kydd was building his Offy with only one driver in mind Jeff Freeman, his son Ron told me when Jeff was killed Eric stopped working on the car and it sat in his garage for many years partially complete but after he retired from Qantas he finally finished it. He was heart broken when Jeff was Killed. Eric was the 1st Apprentice aircraft mechanic at Qantas and retired as Senior Engineer. I purchased the car from his estate for the full asking price unlike some other well know Speedway people who were trying to starve Mrs. Kydd from a secure financial future.

In 1964 .. the car was a kit built by George Shilala in California, George was the former workshop foreman for Frank Kurtis ( kit being a bare chassis ) it was flown over to the Qantas Hanger in Sydney where all the body parts were hand formed by the Apprentices ( I was contacted by one of the guys who did most of the work ) unlike most cars that used your corner hardware store nuts,bolts and screws....this car has aircraft quality Titanium nuts, bolts, screws and fittings and they ain't cheap...the car was a copy of the Mackay Offy #75 that Jeff lost his life in on 9th May 1965 at Westmead Speedway.My Brother was a friend of Jeff's and has been to the speedway 4 times since his death, but he was instrumental in helping me store maintain and oversee all aspects of the car being repainted in the Mackay Livery as a memorial to Jeff Freeman, Eric Kydd, and Don Mackay....With there Family's Approval.

At that time the original Mackay car was in Westn Aust. it had the front cut off and made into an Edmunds style VW....as you can see by your post about the McGee Family the restoration of the Original car is nothing short of ugly with that Wrong nose and the high Bonnett....Rod Needs to have Ronald Mackay spend a week on it and fix the problem. Phillip McGee set up the fuel injection on the Kydd Offy for Eric....The engine was purchased from Jack London in California... Most parts were fabricated at Qantas..Tattersall, Don Mackay,Norm Rapp and several other guys sent parts to Eric as needed from the states.I got a truck full of spares with the car.

The Sydney Vintage club Banned me from there club events when they found out I had repainted the car Black, they also lobbied the Qld Club so I was left with the option of air freighting it states side...Or it would still be in Australia.. I regrettably sold the car in Arizona to Chuck Rahn who in turn sold it to Ron Lesley in Denver Co where I believe it still resides. The car was never raced, it's 1st public appearance was at Granville Speedway where it was started for the 1st time and did a few laps around the track, George Tatnall drive the car at one of the 1st vintage meetings at the Sydney Showground where it was given a good shake down.

I have been told Arlin Kurtis,Franks son has looked at the car and he couldn't pick it from an original Kurtis,there are a few modern update sutle changes to the car
...the only thing Kurtis on the car is the $4:00 dash plaque I got off the internet.

[bobjeffreson]

Hey 75,
Are your initials NM or have I got the wrong guy?
Terrific background story on an amazing car.Thank you.
I only missed a couple of shows at Westmead during the 1965 season. I was 14 years old. One was the day Freeman was killed, and as it was Mother's Day I wasn't allowed to go! Probably glad I wasn't there, to tell the truth. Like so many, I was a Jeff Freeman Fan.
Any photos you could post for us to see. I have some in magazines.

[usaoffy75]

You picked me in one NM..That's me.....I have a lot of pics not sure how to post them...

Talking of Brian Mannion chatted with him at a rained out Boonah Qld meeting last March he still has a nice vintage Chevy11 midget he runs, asked him what happened to the old McGee fuel injected 149 Holden midget #88 in the pics above...sadly he said its at the Toongabbie Tip...Did some bench Racing with Ronald Mackay the same day and we had the group in good spirits in spite of the rain...Pic posted at my profile of the Kydd Offy.

[bobjeffreson]

NM,
Talk to Webby about posting. I think there is a video or tutorial on this site on how to post. I host my pictures through Photobucket. Check that site out. They probably have an instruction section.
The Toogabbie tip...aaarrgghh !!! That seems to be a reoccurring story on the old midgets and modifieds.
But.... who knew back in the day, that the old midget would be worth a sh!tload in 40 years time.

[usaoffy75]

If this works.....here is a pic of the Eric Kydd Offy at Goulburn Speedway just prior to it being shipped States Side..

[bobjeffreson]

Mr Morrison,
Sir..Just beautiful! That's my idea of one really pretty midget. One can just imagine Freeman sitting in that car.

[bobjeffreson]

For those who aren't up to speed with Australian midget racing....
This is Jeff Freeman, probably Australia's leading midget racer at the time....yes I know that will be open to debate with some Aussies.....sitting in the Don Mackay Offy Sydney Showground Speedway Royale mid 1960s. I had the privledge of seeing Freeman drive around Bob Tattersall at this track. Anyone who did that, knew they were going hard. Bob just about owned the Sydney Showground.
Tattersall wanted to get Freeman to the USA...it never happened.
Freeman was killed at the now defunct Westmead Speedway May 9th 1965.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/JeffFreeman-450-1.jpg

usaoffy75 can probaly give us the complete history of this car. I think he said he was on Don Mackay's crew.

[usaoffy75]

Bob,
My brother has just sent me a Full page history of the Mackay Offy team cars I sent you an e-mail requesting your address so I can forward it off and feel free to post all or some of it here along with some pics he included....Jeff Freeman was with out doubt the best Australian Speedway Midget driver as started by many Freeman is the only Australian to start behind Tattersall pass him and drive away from him and win the race....I never saw Freeman race but Don Mackay spoke of him a lot when I asked questions..my brother was on Brian Mannion's crew and that's how he got to know Jeff Freeman sounds like he was a really cool guy I heard he had a group of death fans he was so impressed by there constant loyalty he learned to sign with them after the feature race when the crews would load up the cars out side the Pits at the Showground..some of those guys would show up when I was crewing for Ronald Mackay many years later....Like you say my statement will cause debate...Gary Rush is a Great Sprintcar driver but he was not the star he is in a Midget.. and he didn't do much when he drove in the states....Steve Kinser is the best Sprintcar driver I have seen but he did nothing in a NASCAR Stock car ...When Len Brock drove the McGEE Offy he won Every Heat race he started in that Car...Ronald Mackay is the most under rated Australian Midget Champion the guy rarely wrecked or damaged the car and when he did he fixed it...every thing was low key with no attitudes it was a pleasure to work with the Mackay Family. I remain Ronald's Biggest Fan......And Tattersall...he is King of the Dirt....the guy was Not good.....he was Very Good...but he also did it 7 days a week Professionally compared to the local guys who only raced on weekend in most cases as a hobby.

[bobjeffreson]

ARM Forum member and now resident of Florida USA.... usaoffy75 ....raced midgets in his younger days in Australia. He was amongst the guys that entertained us at the lightning quick black top venue, Liverpool City Raceway, just outside Sydney.
Thanks for all the memories NM.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/NMorison933.jpg

[usaoffy75]

ARM Forum member and now resident of Florida USA.... usaoffy75 ....raced midgets in his younger days in Australia. He was amongst the guys that entertained us at the lightning quick black top venue, Liverpool City Raceway, just outside Sydney.
Thanks for all the memories NM.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/bobjeffreson/NMorison933.jpg

Thanks Bob....that little Chevy has more guts than me...

[CTtoPA]

Update on the Mattoon car-Waiting on the hood so the panels can be finished. Then it has to be taken apart and it's off for paint!

[bobjeffreson]

I trust we get to see some photos!

[cemar]

Seems we ran with Bob from the 40's into the late 60's.
Been doing some research and came up with a couple items that might be of interest to some.

On July 4th 1955, Bob ran an afternoon race on the big 1/2 mile Dirt track in Davenport Iowa.
Car was a #32 owned by the Fulton Bros. out of Davenport.
He won the 3rd heat as well as the Handicap race, just ahead of Midget legend Dick Ritchie.
Sorry, did not see him in the top 5 of the main.

In the late 40's and 50's he would show up at some of the Iowa tracks we ran.
Davenport, a dangerous 1/2 mile, Tipton, a small high banked 1/4 mile, Hawkeye Downs a big 1/2 mile in Cedar Rapids along with Cemar Acres, a very tight 1/4 mile just outside C.R..
Driver remembers one of those nights he ran the Downs very well.
We had just one a big one on the 1/2 mile in Oskaloosa and were waging a points battle with Ritchie.
Bob showed up in the #32 Fulton Bros. entry.
Bob took off leading the main while we were in the middle of a 4 car dogfight behind him.
The foursome was us, Dick, Eddie Critchlow and George Miller.
Dick and Eddie had passed Bob, leaving us to contend with Bob.
2 laps from the end Dick and Eddie sideswipe each other and we both go low and took a short lived lead as Tattersall was going to have nothing to do with a second place finish.
Always drove us clean and a super nice guy.

We had a great 2 man show one night in Davenport.
We set fast time and won the first heat.
Bob had to take our glory away by winning the second heat, the handicap and the main.

More stories about Bob later.

cemar

[cemar]

The year was 1962 and we decided to run the annual Midget Turkey week event in California.
This was the 150 lap "Grand Prix" at the famous Ascot Park in Gardena.
Along with Bob the race had several Indy 500 vets.
A.J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Parnelli Jones, Bobby Unser and Jim Hurtubise just to name a few.
My program shows Bob finished 3rd that day out of the 50+ field of the best from across the country.
cemar

[cemar]

Found the newspaper headlines for that race in Cedar Rapids Iowa where he passed us with 2 laps to go.
cemar