Under the Chequered Flag
MAX BRUMHEAD, who featured in your article “The game changer” on the YDS1 Yamaha, passed away in December 2015. I did get a copy of the magazine to Max before his passing and was quite chuffed. I’m proud to say that Max was still riding bikes up until about 8 or 10 years ago and in fact up until his passing, his very last bike, a Suzuki Scooter was still parked in his lounge room. I met Max in a chance meeting approximately 14 years ago and purchased the other three of his last bikes; two Sunbeam S8s and a 1951 AJS Model 18. One of the Sunbeams is still totally original and the other has been totally restored. The AJS is still in the restoration process. Interestingly I was told a lot more about the history of the now-restored S8 by Max’s brother Jeff at Max’s funeral. The bike was originally Jeff’s and worked on the Snowy Mountain tunnel scheme, where it was in fact lowered into the tunnel and used to transport cable through the tunnel under construction. A special sidecar was built for this purpose. There was a film made about the bike’s involvement in the Snowy Scheme. The film was originally in the Snowy Museum, is now believed to be in Canberra archives and being chased down by Jeff. From Steve Hetherington
JOHN HENRY CARTER (J.C.) passed away on the 13th January aged 81 years, in Queensland. Those of us that knew and loved John would agree – he didn’t look a day over 70. Even his oncologist was amazed at how well John was presenting and doubled checked his birthdate. John told him the secret was to choose your parents well. He had the typical Carter sense of humour. John lived most of his life in the family home in Coburg, also Thornbury and on the Gold Coast (for not long enough, John said) but his favourite home was at Beachmere Sands Resort. For his last eight years John enjoyed the luxury, the lifestyle, the sunshine and new friends but came back to Melbourne once a year for the bike races and to catch up with his lifelong friends. Those that knew John know the love of his life was “Bikes”. His memories of working on bikes every week night after work, with his brother Harold, to have them ready to race at the weekends, driving straight through to Adelaide or Sydney, working all weekend on bikes, then driving home Sunday night to do it all again the next week, were very special.... “Great times”, John said. Two special memories of John’s were getting second place at the Hume Weir with a yellow triton, ridden by Jeff Curley, especially because they beat their then hero Kenny Blake. Also winning the ‘Island of Tasmania Tourist Trophy’ won with their Harold Carter Special. The HCS is now in the Motorcycling Australia museum in South Melbourne, Victoria. While writing John’s story with him in his last few months the question of how would you like to be remembered John? His answer...”as a good bloke!” Helen Lucas (niece)
PETER ‘ROCKET’ RAYNER, a longtime member of South Australia’s Historic Motor Cycle Racing Register, passed away on February 24th, 2016, aged 81 years. Well known for #22 on his machines, he had raced against Geoff Duke at Gawler Airstrip in the 1950s, and was successful in the “Clubman” races held in that period. A versatile rider, he was regularly competing in South Australia’s 24-Hour Trial well into the 1990s. For Historic racing, ‘Rocket’ was known for some competitive BSA singles, a pair of CB72/77 Hondas, and a lovely 7R AJS that was his pride and joy. He will be sadly missed by his fellow clubmen and competitors. Trevor Henderson
My friend of 70 years BRIAN FUSS died in hospital in Adelaide on 1st February, 2016, aged 90 years, after a long illness. Brian was a regular competitor in the 1950s, riding at South Australian tracks Woodside, Port Wakefield, Gawler, and at Ballarat, Bathurst and Mildura. Brian was the consummate mechanic/engineer. His bikes – an Ariel Red Hunter, Manx Norton and 7R AJS, were all immaculate and performed well. One race Brian was particularly pleased with was coming third to Laurie Boulter and Owen Archibald in the Jubilee South Australian Senior TT at Woodside in 1951 – all riding Manx Nortons. Also in the same race were Maurie Quincey and Lloyd Hirst. For many years, Brian worked for Ansett and was qualified to service all types of jet, prop-jet and piston aero engines. In retirement he set about constructing a racing sidecar outfit, built around an 1100cc GSX Suzuki motor. He displayed the same attention to detail in the work, which sadly he was unable to complete due to ill health. Doug Voss, Adelaide.