David Finch, a sports car racer of the 50s and 60s running an MGTF, Austin Healey and D-type Jaguar.. David has shared his memories of his cars and the sport with us on Aussie Road Racing..thank you David.
David raced the 1250cc MGTF at Mt Druitt (NSW) motor racing circuit in 1955 and says it was a great learning curve for his future racing. The Austin Healey 100- 4 followed and he raced the Healey at Mt Druitt and Mt. Panorama, Bathurst (NSW) during 1956- 57 & 58. It was highly modified and very fast in it's final form. Mechanics on the Healey were the late Jim Johnson, and Bruce Maher, themselves both top race car drivers of the day. The D-type Jaguar, chassis # XKD 520 - was the 20th D-type built - previous and future owners were - Bib Stillwell - AMPOL (Petroleum Co.) driver Jack Davey, Frank Gardner - David Finch - Ash Marshall (Ash purchased the car from David in 1962 ). David says he feels the car was then sold into the U.K. and restored. David says selling this car was a very sad day for him, but felt his family and business commitments came first.
Running the 1250 MGTF # 108 along Pit Straight at Mt Druitt in 1955.
Taking the Checker Flag for the win in the 1960 TT at Lowood in Queensland with the D-type.
David and his late wife Elaine after the Lowood TT win in 1960.
Running the Healey at Bathurst in 1958 after a complete rebuild from the accident pictured above.
A big bingle in the Healey at Mt Druitt on 11th August 1957.
The aftermath of the Mt Druitt
accident in 1957.
Healey's turning into
Pit Straight - Mt Druitt - August 1957 - David leads , Rex Williams with Ken Bennett third.
Negotiating Railway Bend - off the end of the Airstrip - Mt Druitt 1957.
David & # 92 entering The Hairpin Bend at Mt Druitt - 1957 - Garry Richardson out wide.
The D-type.
As stated above David raced this car from 1958 through to 1962 when he then sold it to Sydney car dealer and enthusiast Ash Marshall.
The triple Weber carburettored
D-type power plant.
What a great site ! - Gnoo Blas Circuit - Orange NSW - 1960.
L to R Front row:- Derek Jolly Lotus - Climax - Frank Matich - Leaton Motors C-type Jaguar - David Finch D-type Jaguar... Second row : #122 Warren Blomfield and # 58 Tom Sulman in Aston Martin DB3s'.
I can see the grey and white Buckle 5 rows back on the pole line that Jack Brabham guest drove at the meeting.
I later made the trip back to Sydney in the Buckle after the meeting with the car's new owner,
John Bissett.....(Brian )
Mt Panorama - Bathurst NSW - 1960 - and Jack Murray in the silver Jack Parker owned D-type Jaguar # 76 leads David in # 92 D-type through Murray's Corner at the end of Con Rod Straight.
Testing the D-type on Mt Druitt airstrip in 1958.
At Mt Panorama - Bathurst in 1961
Gnoo Blas circuit - Orange NSW in 1960
David's then 4 year old daughter ( 1959 ) Nicole in the pits with Dad's D-type.
David and the D -type lead down through the Esses at Bathurst in 1961.
On to PAGE 2 of David's photo memories.
A collection of photos of some of his fellow competitors and friends.
Click here.
