Articles

Northam

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Mick Geneve in the Ballot Dodge (BP COR)	Sydney Anderson in the Austin Healey 100 (BP COR)
John Trowell, Vanguard (BP COR)	Sydney Anderson, Healey 100 (BP COR)

The Northam around-the-houses circuit has a complex and still not absolutely clear history. The initial event, 1952, was held on a long, fast circuit on the south side of the river, but apparently the route shown in the official programme was altered at the last minute after South Australian visitor Don Reimann had a horrific crash in practice, the car getting airborne and hitting a tree. The problem lay with the cambering of the cross-roads at the Town Hall, and as a safety measure the course was diverted around behind the town hall, as shown in the maps. The following year, a slower, more complex layout was adopted, using the original start-finish area near the showgrounds.

Later, probably in 1955 but this is not certain, a new, shorted and safer circuit was laid out on the slightly less built-up north side. In all, five meetings were held at Northam, and this town was the only one brave enough to allow round-the-houses racing the year after the Le Mans disaster.

Complex variations on the original south circuit. Black indicates original planned 1952 circuit; thin red line shows last minute variation around town hall; Green shows 1953 circuit.

The simpler Northern circuit, which was clockwise. The black and white photos were taken on this circuit.

The Start-finish near the showgrounds on the south circuit, probably 1953. (David Van Dal)

Gridding up for a "stock car" (that is, production car) race (David Van Dal)

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