by Terry S » Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:00 am
[quote="GFR"]Back into the photo album again - two images of Greg McCombie's Lotus 23B at Amaroo Park in
1977. Greg carried the Chokito wrapper scheme across to his Matich in later times. It would be interesting to know the full history of this car and whether it still exists. Note the extended muffler that is fitted to achieve compliance with the noise restrictions placed on the circuit under the council consent framework and to keep the rural neighbours happy.
McCombie’s Lotus 23B was originally imported by Pete Geoghegan in late 1964 to replace the Lotus 23 he had sold to Greg Cusack.
He ran it for first time at Warwick Farm Tasman meeting in February 1965, and won first time out.
It was painted black but was soon converted to white with the Total stripes.
He ran it many times in 1965, having some fantastic dices with Cusack.
His last race with it was winning the Australian Tourist Trophy at Lakeside in November 1965.
It was sold at the meeting to Frank Demuth, who trailered it home to ensure he got what he paid for.
Demuth’s first race was at Warwick Farm Tasman meeting. He was embarrassed by Geoghegan being all over him in the much older and smaller Lotus Climax 1100 that Geoghegan had taken as a trade in from Demuth.
He raced it for a few years but his racing career was cut short by being charged with fraud.
It was then sold to John Martin. He had a major accident near Warwick Farm’s northern crossing when the car rolled and he was hospitalised for a long time and he never raced again.
The wreck was bought by Clive Adams, a famous panel man, who undertook a long restoration.
It was then raced by his son Ian Adams. His religious beliefs meant he could not practice on Saturdays so he always started from the rear of grid for Sunday’s races. It was a spectacular sight at Oran Park to see him pass so many cars before the first corner.
During this time the car was upgraded with a FVA engine replacing the twin cam, a FT200 gearbox, wider tyres and wider guards to cover these tyres.
The car was not used during 1974, 75 and 76. It was bought by Greg McCombie at the end of 1976.
He had previously raced a Formula Vee so this was a big step up.
His first race was March 1977 at Amaroo. Unfortunately jammed throttle slides resulted in a major accident and very bent car. It was repaired by Bob Britton of Rennmax fame.
At his next Amaroo meeting in May oil on the track resulted in hitting the bank head on.
So not a lot of luck. He came good at the May meeting finishing both races.
At the August meeting he was up against the McLaren Gardos of Barry Singleton, described in the programme as a “Can Am McLaren”. Amaroo was a great leveller and Singleton and McCombie had a tremendous dice, despite 5000cc against 1600cc. On the last lap McCombie tried to overtake on the inside at Rothmans. In covering, Singleton forced the Lotus over the ripple strips, which ripped out its radiator hoses which put it out.
Geoghegan recalled in later years that this Lotus was one of his favourite cars.
[quote="GFR"]Back into the photo album again - two images of Greg McCombie's Lotus 23B at Amaroo Park in
1977. Greg carried the Chokito wrapper scheme across to his Matich in later times. It would be interesting to know the full history of this car and whether it still exists. Note the extended muffler that is fitted to achieve compliance with the noise restrictions placed on the circuit under the council consent framework and to keep the rural neighbours happy.
McCombie’s Lotus 23B was originally imported by Pete Geoghegan in late 1964 to replace the Lotus 23 he had sold to Greg Cusack.
He ran it for first time at Warwick Farm Tasman meeting in February 1965, and won first time out.
It was painted black but was soon converted to white with the Total stripes.
He ran it many times in 1965, having some fantastic dices with Cusack.
His last race with it was winning the Australian Tourist Trophy at Lakeside in November 1965.
It was sold at the meeting to Frank Demuth, who trailered it home to ensure he got what he paid for.
Demuth’s first race was at Warwick Farm Tasman meeting. He was embarrassed by Geoghegan being all over him in the much older and smaller Lotus Climax 1100 that Geoghegan had taken as a trade in from Demuth.
He raced it for a few years but his racing career was cut short by being charged with fraud.
It was then sold to John Martin. He had a major accident near Warwick Farm’s northern crossing when the car rolled and he was hospitalised for a long time and he never raced again.
The wreck was bought by Clive Adams, a famous panel man, who undertook a long restoration.
It was then raced by his son Ian Adams. His religious beliefs meant he could not practice on Saturdays so he always started from the rear of grid for Sunday’s races. It was a spectacular sight at Oran Park to see him pass so many cars before the first corner.
During this time the car was upgraded with a FVA engine replacing the twin cam, a FT200 gearbox, wider tyres and wider guards to cover these tyres.
The car was not used during 1974, 75 and 76. It was bought by Greg McCombie at the end of 1976.
He had previously raced a Formula Vee so this was a big step up.
His first race was March 1977 at Amaroo. Unfortunately jammed throttle slides resulted in a major accident and very bent car. It was repaired by Bob Britton of Rennmax fame.
At his next Amaroo meeting in May oil on the track resulted in hitting the bank head on.
So not a lot of luck. He came good at the May meeting finishing both races.
At the August meeting he was up against the McLaren Gardos of Barry Singleton, described in the programme as a “Can Am McLaren”. Amaroo was a great leveller and Singleton and McCombie had a tremendous dice, despite 5000cc against 1600cc. On the last lap McCombie tried to overtake on the inside at Rothmans. In covering, Singleton forced the Lotus over the ripple strips, which ripped out its radiator hoses which put it out.
Geoghegan recalled in later years that this Lotus was one of his favourite cars.