Conrod Straight

[Rob 18]

Without doubt the most well known part of any racetrack in this country and the scene of many memorable moments for most motorsport fans. From the great scenes of Bathurst 77 with the Moffat 1-2, to the sadness of tragity that brought the deaths of Mike Burgman, Denny Hulme & Donny Watson.
How did Conrod straight get it's name & what was the straight called before it was named 'Conrod Straight'???

 

[Henry]

Dunno, but felt compelled to add Bevan Gibson and Tom Sulman to the list of Conrod's victims

 

[Jonathan]

Not sure what it was called before Conrod Straight, but I thought the story was that the cars were going so fast and the engines were revving so high, that they feared the conrods' would shoot straight out of the block.

Also, I thought the true, correct spelling for Conrod Straight was indeed "con-rod straight". Is this correct??

 

[Rob 18]

Sorry about that Henry, it's just what came off the top of my head & a major oversight on my behalf.
Jonathan, you are correct with the original spelling og Con-rod straight.

 

[Rob 18]

Apparently, in 1939 at the second ever race meet at Mt Panorama a driver by the name of Frank Kleinig in his Kleinig Hudson started near last on the grid and by 3/4 race distance had passed all but one car and was catching the leader fast, when a piston collapsed on what we now call Conrod Straight. The connecting rod punched a big hole in the block, which must have been a big deal because they named the straight after his mechanical failure that day.
What was the straight called before Conrod Straight?? The Main Straight.

 

[Henry]

OK, what about the corner leading onto Conrod (or Con-Rod)? Its correct name, and how it was christened...

 

[Rob 18]

That's a bloody good question Henry!

 

[Doug]

Ok heres a stab in the dark - was it Jack Forrest who came a cropper on his motorcycle and actually lost the cap?joint off his elbow? (sounds ludicrous, I know)

 

[Jonathan]

Correct Doug.

 

[Rob 18]

You learn something every day don't you??

 

[Doug]

You are kidding - I actually woke up this morning and told the beter half about my blue on here last night - mm the stuff sticks in the cobwebs after all.

 

[Henry]

Yeah, it's something isn't it? Evidently Jack Forrest was quite a character... they apparently capped his elbow and away he went. OK... arguably one of the most brethtaking corners on any circuit anywhere... for 50 points, who was Walter J McPhilamy?

 

[Rob 18]

Walter was the donor of a section of ground at the top of Mt Panorama to the Bathurst City Council?????????????????????????

 

[Henry]

Yep, he owned much of the top of the hill.

 

[Rob 18]

And only if he could see what happens up there now Henry!!