Nostalgia 2

NOSTALGIA (2)

GYMKHANAS/MOTORKHANAS

The Club's first gymkhana (now known as motorkhana) was planned for Sunday, 12 December, 1954, but we have no reports, results or photos of it. The first Interclub gymkhana was held at the Mt Gravatt Showground on 6 Feb 1955 (photos of the event supplied by John Muller are below).

Club gymkhanas were held at the Waterford Hotel on 8th May and 5th June 1955; the only photo we have from these events shows Ken Ebeling in his MGTF getting some assistance from a passenger. Ken Ebeling was a great keeper of results and has the results of the two events held at this venue.

On 3rd March, 1957, there was a gymkhana held at Pullenvale (or Brookfield) which attracted the attention of motorsport photographer Brier Thomas. We therefore have this photos and Ken Ebeling’s as records of this event.

The next venue was the Aspley showgrounds. We have no photos (as yet) from this venue but we do have results of the event of 18 August, 1957, which show that the events were named as follows:
* Forward bending with water
* Forward bending
* Forward and reverse bending
* Forward clover leaf
* Horn blowing
* Clover leaf
* Auto cross
* Ladies auto cross
* Ladies forward bending
* Two bob for a ding

OTHER PAGES ARE DEVOTED TO PHOTOS OF:
(Click each link)

Group of Club members L to R: John Gill, Phil Hickey, Fred Dyke, Trevor Connelly, Bob Burnett and John Muller (leaning into the car)

One gymkhana was held at Lakeside in 1958 or 1959 (before the track was built) and Bernie Maudsley has photos of that event in which the shed which remained at the entry to the circuit until very recently can clearly be identified.

However, the most enduring venue wasPorter’s Paddock at Tingalpa where the Club held the lease for many years.

The first record of the event named as amotorkhana (as opposed to a gymkhana) is dated 16 February, 1969.

From 1976, it appears to have become an annual event and, as now, part of the Ironman weekend.

(Any corrections or additions to this short history would be most welcomed. Please email to Elaine at vprojects@internode.on.net )

Overview of the Interclub gymkhana held at Mt Gravatt showgrounds

John Muller trying to remember how to ‘thread the needle’.

The photographer concentrates on Trevor Connelly’s antics.

PULLENVALE – Photo from Ken Ebeling

John Gill in action

Fred Dyke takes his turn.

The Club’s first President, Frank Taylor, at the wheel

WATERFORD – Photo supplied by Ken Ebeling of Ken in action at a gymkhana at Waterford. Ken has identified the passenger as Ted Jones who is member No 53 of the Club and still a current member.

PULLENVALE – Photo from Ken Ebeling

PULLENVALE – Photo from Ken Ebeling

BROOKFIELD GYMKHANA – Photo from John Muller

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

LAKESIDE – Photo by Bernie Maudsley - Bernie in action in his XK Jaguar

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

BROOKFIELD – Photo by Brier Thomas

LAKESIDE – Photo by Bernie Maudsley
The line-up of competitors including Vince Appleby (far left) and Bernie (at right) and Ian and Bev Michels (second from right).

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

TINGALPA - Photo from Keith Anderson

The photo has come from Ian Michels and was taken at the Tingalpa gymkhana paddock. The people are from left: Kerry Horgan (Austin Healey 4), Des Coles (Sprite), Ralph Davis (MG TF), unknown, Ian Michels (Buchanan) and Denis Geary (Sprite).

A sketch of two of the gymkhana tests from the early gymkhana days.

Brian Tebble is the driver in his MG; I don't know who the brave or foolish person is on the sled but, judging by Kerry's body language, he was a bit perplexed by it all. This is dated as April 1964 - Photo from Elaine Hamilton

Kerry Horgan in his MGB - Photo from Elaine Hamilton

Photo from John Campbell