After reading this moving history on one of Speedways geniune people and a racer through and through I didn't think it was right to change it as it gives a great overall view of the man who still has the fire in his belly.

THE SPEEDWAY HISTORY OF
THOMAS JAMES WATSON


It was love at first sight. The first lap of the Speedcar race at Claremont one summer’s night in 1968 saw a gob-smacked young Thomas Watson say to himself for the first time, “That’s for me!” The gliding swaying sensuous change of positions between the cars of Stanton, West, Fenton, Mann, Jost and their ilk left an immediate and indelible impression. Tom returned home to Kalgoorlie to stack away the rusty panels of the old 32 Ford roadster he was beginning to restore in the garage, and for a brief time his Mum was able to re-park the family car. Tom began plotting and planning how he could assemble a Speedcar.

Subsequent weekends in Perth, under the guise of courting, saw Tom haunting any place where he could find reference to speedcars. One Saturday afternoon, he drove past Mike Tappenden’s garage in Stirling Highway Claremont, now an antique dealer’s shop, and saw in those few seconds, the tail of a midget in the back room. A quick explanation to his female companion assured that he wouldn’t be long and 3 hours later, the young lady got out of the hot car and caught a bus home. In the days before mobile telephones or indeed many telephones at all, this caused some concern for young Thomas who became very indignant as to her inconsiderate behaviour. Does any of this sound familiar to the fairer sex present here tonight? It seems little changes where the masculine pursuit of mechanical devices is concerned.

And so the Speedcar involvement started in earnest with a fibreglass bonnet balanced on four big wooden blocks of firewood, out there on the red dirt at the back of the wash-house in Kalgoorlie in 1970. Newly married, earning $85 a week, full of hair and tooth, handsome as all get out, and keen and lean for the evolution of speedcars on the Goldfields.

There next to the wood heap it all got assembled. A cardboard steering wheel and panels, stub axles from the tip, a lap sash safety belt from a wrecked Simca, a milk crate seat, a bruised and bashed tail, and the jewel in the crown, the gloriously real bonnet. It all looked rather flimsy and whimsical. Then Bill Conroy, the doyen of the Boulder Speedway stepped in and with a wonderfully generous gesture, bought Laurie Matthews black Holden number 75 for $2000 for Tom to race and maintain. With typical generosity, Bill soon wavered ownership as he could see the racing passion was gripping Tom and further influencing Joe Little, Keith Littleley, Johnny Wileyman, Kerry Torpy, Johnny Moon and Phil Moore. Tom, Joe and Phil are still at it 35 years later.

From 2 speedcars, which had to race with the supermods, the field grew to 6, enough for their own spectacular. It was a thrilling night if most of them could finish a few laps without boiling. Running out of fuel before the flag was also not uncommon. The commotion and activity in the pits was always intense but goodness knows what actually happened to justify it, as racing technology was very basic. Logistics with the facilities was more the problem. Lighting was appalling with a feeble yellow glow emanating from the general direction of the grandstand. Some inspired individuals had torches, which were always being borrowed by others. The tyres were hard and narrow and numbered 4. The spare, if there was one, was usually off the trailer. Stagger was unheard of. Set ups meant the tyres were on securely and pumped up.
Cotton overalls, sneakers and work socks were topped off very importantly with an open-faced helmet, the jazzier ones of which sometimes sported a plastic peak.
Tom acquired a second hand pair of pale blue cotton overalls with his new number 85 sewn on. A full faced Bell helmet was a later birthday present. The mandatory hanky over the nose still kept out 5% of the dust. Gloves came next followed by a safer seat belt.

All of these things were very exciting and really looked the part but the biggest shift in gear came with the addition of roll cages. For months during the freezing winter of 1972, Tom welded and grinded away under the grapevine trellis. Frosty nights that froze your breath saw him working away till 2.00 a.m. under a single light on the end of an extension. The neighbours were marvellous. The wife wasn’t quite so understanding.

Eventually the cage was finished and bolted onto the newly painted yellow number 85. The first sponsor was procured, namely the MLC Insurance local agent Patrick Ghirardi and Tom was racing with commitment to appear as often as possible.

This loyalty to sponsors and the event has always been his creed, apart from his own desire to race at every opportunity. The sponsors have been fantastic with some becoming family friends. Johnny Moon at BP Kambalda, Coz and Dale at Dalcos Panel and Paint Bentley, CBC Bearings, Castrol, Valvoline, brother Bob and father Tom at Kalamunda Iceworks, Charlie and Debbie Urwin at Universal Plastics, partner Keith Morton at Watmor Engines, and latterly Mike and Jenny Oliver at Carahaul, an outfit that transports caravans around Australia.

In the very early 80’s, Trevor Mann gave up racing and very kindly offered his sponsor to Tom. That was Marlow’s Auto Parts and Accessories and for the next 20 years, Ray and Patti and staff were right behind Tom, then Tom Junior and Renae as they followed (and often passed) their father around the racetracks of Australia. Without Trevor’s gesture and Marlow’s unstinting support, Tom would have struggled to reach the pinnacle he has. It was a prestigious sponsorship, which Tom took very seriously and best wishes are now extended to Ray Della Polina and his new endeavours at MALZ Motoring & Leisure Zone.

A change of address to Perth in 1977 saw Tom really sink his teeth into the culture of speedcars with Ross Nikisson helping to educate Tom into coming to grips with the Claremont circuit. Tom accumulated a dedicated pitcrew around him including partner Keith Morton, Barry Pages, and Trevor Allen. The noise got louder. The cars got faster. Tom began to design and redesign, on season and off-season. 13 cars and several pitcrew changes later, wife Jill stopped counting the latest chassis to evolve at the end of the welder.

Awards began to accumulate. A State Title in 1984. A National Title in 1987. A record 4 Presidents’ Cups (1985, 1986, 1987 & 1888). Caltex Sportstar or the Year Finalist 1988. Numerous placings in State titles, from the 80s to as recently as 2004. Trips interstate, off to the National Titles in Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Rockhampton. Trips to the country: Esperance, Narrogin, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Collie, Merredin, Margaret River, Bunbury, Kambalda.

: Numbers began to change to drive lapscorers crazy. 75,87,27,28,7,71,1,76. Who was driving what car? Members of MENSA, are the lady lapscorers.

Pitcrew began to accumulate. When son Tom and daughter Renae began racing midgets, it meant 3 cars and 3 pitcrew. Barry, Brad and Jamie Pages, Trevor, Colin Vitler, Brad and Darren Collins, cousin Jason, Andy, Chris, Jeff Graham, Geoff and Wayne Marshall, Colin and Debbie, Debbie Urwin and wife Jill. Generous wives and girlfriends unselfishly supported their mates’ many days and nights away from their own families. We spent every Christmas holidays away together. Masses of muddy jeans and sneakers. Masses of laughter. Cramped travelling space. Miles and miles of companionship. Cheers and smiles, frowns and tears. Sweat and toil in blistering sun and pouring rain. Freezing winds and balmy summer evenings. Triumphs and failures. The thrilling hope of a close race and crushing despair all for a small broken part. Excitement and boredom. Little babies being nursed into hulking great adults towering over their spindly parents. Tom’s parents, Tom Snr & Beverley (aka Nanna & Pop Watson) accompanying him on many trips and at most meetings. Time stretching over the decades of many experiences. Many friends made and few foe hopefully. Being trackside and watching the pageantry of a spectacle unfurl and feeling part of it, being part of it. The unparalled excitement and anticipation of a National Title.

Tom’s reason for drawing breath would seem to be the phenomenon of speedway. The whole business of shepherding family, encouraging friends, actively soliciting any innocent passer-by who comes into earshot. Not missing an opportunity to discuss racing. This has been Tom and his 35-year involvement with promoting speedcars as one of the best divisions of skilful racing.

Finally, apologies to anyone who helped and was not acknowledged. 35 years is a bit to remember.

Cruising around Kwinana during the National title

Tom is still as fresh at the end of the night as the beginning

History on Tom - courtesy of Jill Watson