Family History |
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Back to Denis Minett. |
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Emigrating to Australia Denis broke the lap record at Lobethal, South Australia, on Boxing day 1938 and finished 2nd in the Senior event to George Hannaford, riding the ex Stanley Woods 500 Velocette.
Then in March 1939, at the
Coorong Desert, South Australia, Denis set up six Australian records on
Bruce Rehn’s 604cc Norton. The following shall stand to his credit –
750cc
1 mile standing start at
95.23 m.p.h. (153.26 k.p.h.) [Notes at the Brooklands Museum - "Brooklands fans are not likely to forget the name of Denis Minett"] [Letter dated 30 Nov 2006 from Peter Strawhan to Tess Minett.] Coorong Speedsters: Motorcycle Speed Record Attempts The Advertiser (Adelaide) - Thursday 2nd Mar 1939 FURTHER RECORD ATTEMPTS ON COORONG PIPECLAY: Interstate motorcycle traders are applying for permits to conduct Australian record attempts on the pipeclay track in the Coorong next week. The moon will be suitable for driving, and, if the weather is satisfactory attempts will be made to establish a 12-hour record and break the existing 24-hour record. It is expected that the South Australian rider, Les Fredericks, will be selected to ride the machine. Further sprint record attempts will be made towards the end of the week. The speed machines are being brought over from Melbourne, and the English record-breaker, Dennis [sic] Minett, who performed so brilliantly in the Australian T. T. meeting at Lobethal, is expected to pilot them. The M. C. C. of S. A. has conducted similar attempts under electric timing at the pipeclay track for many years, and, although many speedmen claim that the surface is not as fast as Sellick's Beach for high speed short distances, it is accepted as the ideal surface for distance attempts. Under favourable conditions, a seven-mile straight can be prepared motor cyclists. If the weather is suitable officials will leave early next week to select the best available sections and measure the course on the pipeclay. 16th March 1939 Lenrocs Advertisements: Les Fredericks Triumph Tiger 100 broke previous Australian 24 hours record by almost 200 miles March 10-11. 1508 miles. P 7. Note 'Australian Motor Cyclist' - 1939 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NEWS Fine Achievements by Den Minett, Bruce Rehn, and Les. Fredericks Les Fredericks, the South Australian speedman (who partnered Ewald Kluge of the D.K.W. factory) piloted a 500 c.c. Triumph in an attempt on the 24-hour record which was held by Ted Holyoak (S.A.) with 1,312 1/2 miles. In the first few laps Fredericks was lapping at 70 m.p.h. but was instructed to reduce his speed in order to conserve his motor. Pitt calls were made every six laps, and the necessary refuelling and adjustments were quickly made. The 12 hour record went by the board in the early hours of the morning, and the new record stands at 771 miles 1,278 yards. Soon after establishing this time, a slight attack of sickness was suffered by Fredericks, but he gamely showed determination by maintaining his schedule. At the 21 hour mark the old record for 24 hours was passed. When the attempt was completed n distance of 1,508 miles 1,406 yards had been covered. The last lap was registered at 76.14m.p.h. On the following day the finest section of the clay-pipe was chosen for the attempts by Denis Minett on the two-way flying start mile. He was astride a 596 c.c. Norton and registered an average speed of 124.14 mph. This entitles him to the half and one mile records for machines up to 1,000 c.c. In the mile two-way standing start attempts Minett's speed was 95.23 m.p.h., which also created new records for machines up to 1,000 c.c. capacity. Minett's achievements as road-racer and record breaker have earned him very high regard throughout Australia. It is note learned that
he has accepted a position with BRUCE REHN'S RECORD. After Minett's successful rides Bruce Rehn the Victorian sidecar expert, fitted sidecar to the same machine and made a successful attempt on the flying start two-way mile. His average speed was 96.25 m.p.h. He also broke the halt and one mile records for sidecar outfits up to 1,000 c.c. His attempt on his own mile standing start record was successful in that it bettered his previous time, but as he was unable to increase his speed by more than two miles per hour the record could not be officially claimed. The sidecar was then removed and Minett in an attempt on
the five mile flying start put up the outstanding figures of 121.13 mph. Rain late that evening made the track
unsuitable for further attempts. A race program from Woodside South australia 8-10-1951. The last road race on public race in SA. [Courtesy of Paul Wilkins*] Denis returned to the UK in 1940 returning to Australia permanently in 1951 to develop a 125cc rotary valve motor for Rex Tilbrook of Adelaide. He had his last race in 1953 at Victoria Park, Ballarat, finishing 6th on a GP Triumph.
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