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028 - Old Yeller II, On the Track at Eastern Creek
Photos: Edward Wong, Tony Gentilcore, Jim Russell.

Tasman Revival Meeting
The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association (HSRCA) held a tribute to a magnificent era in Australian Motorsport at Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway over the weekend of Dec 1st-3rd, 2006. While the emphasis was on cars that competed in the Tasman series of races, owners of other significant cars were invited to participate.

One of the historic invitees was Old Yeller II, now owned and raced by Ernie Nagamatsu. This “Backyard Special” built in 1959 at the legendary Hollywood Motors, Los Angeles is powered by the big block 1959, 401 “Nailhead” Buick (6.6 liters) engine
Ernie Nagamatsu, a member of the Buick Club of America had this to say about the event.

”Thank you so much for all the support and help from the Buick Club of Australia... it was much needed and appreciated indeed. We all had so much fun and some of the "big bucks" teams seemed quiet compared to us. Thanks for the errands and help from the members and it was a weekend to remember ...as we will keep it on our hard drives for sure. What a joy to meet the "Buick" people and great to have them around in the paddock during the weekend. The car was almost impossible to drive until Sunday and thanks to everyone we turned things around at the last minute!!! We still had a lot of rear oversteer but had to give the photographers a good shot'... sideways at times... but we could control the car much better. Thanks for the special gift from the Club and for sending Jim Russell as our honorary Crew Member for the weekend. Jim was a great help as we had a lot to do over the weekend.
What a thrill to race at the Tasman Revival Races and it is "fender to fender" racing for sure (lots of bent doors and fenders). Spoke to some of the Legends of Australia like Frank Gardner and Sir John Whitmore ...and they are nice fellows. Everyone was so helpful during our stay... so it was a balanced trip. The weather was great and only some rain one day.
Here is our summary of the trip
We just returned from Sydney this week.. it was an incredible trip (HSRCA and sponsors paid for shipping, hotels and some perks... and the OYII was a huge hit with all the race fans of the Tasman Revival Races. It was great ot have the full history of the Old Yeller II in the official race program ....and just above the story of legendary driver- Sir John Whitmore! Due to the prior press and program information... we had lots of fans around the car all weekend. Australia and New Zealand had built so many similar backyard-road racing specials as they did not get many race cars imported... Old Yeller II was like a "long lost cousin" to the fans. There were so many fans that remember the car from long ago ...reading magazines from America in late 50s and early 60s. Elaine was great working the crowds as the fans were the best ever that we have seen. The rear brakes were locking so quickly (no front brakes at all) causing erratic handling in the rear for 3 days(no more bias adjustment... at very limit) and by Sunday morning before the big race... we cut off over half of the brake lining in the rears...it worked like magic. A filming company did an interview on the history of the car.”

Posted 12/2006

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