11 fastlane
breakaway from the AHRF prior to resigning
in late February of 1973. At the time I
was heavily committed to my business
and declined the request. Then Dennis
Syrmis became Interim Director prior to
John Storm’s (of White House Publishing)
election in March of 1973. John also sought
my help in establishing a ‘standalone’
administration for Drag Racing, to which I
agreed.
“It was also clear that many on the Hot
Rod side were keen for the AHRF to remain
the ‘Overall Governing Body’ as the highest
court of appeal controlling each segments’
interests. This was not what we wanted;
our plan was for a completely autonomous
entity to govern Drag Racing.
“We ambushed the AHRF AGM meeting
on Saturday August 19, 1973. We had
decided to pull out all stops to break away
completely and in a last minute move,
we planned to catch our opposition off
balance with drag racing delegates, all
attired with shirts and ties, arriving as a
group at the meeting start time – flagging
that we were serious about the business
at hand.
Ormsby was also instrumental in drag
racing’s split from the AHRF (Australian Hot
Rod Federation) and the founding of ANDRA,
becoming its first Chairman of Honour.
Over the years he also managed three
major racing venues – Calder Park, Adelaide
International Raceway and Heathcote Park
– and was the General Manager for both
RPS Promotions and the ANDRA Winfield
Australian Drag Racing Series.
“Simply stated, the joint interests of Drag
Racing and Street Rodding were no longer
compatible. The major difficulties were that
while some rodders were racers, most drag
racers were not rodders or interested in the
Show/Street community. Changes had been
discussed at Club level over a protracted
period but without a clear indication of
how the stakeholders saw a satisfactory
outcome,” Ormsby remembers.
“Wayne Ruckley as Drag Racing Director
contacted me seeking support for a
“Earlier in the morning I had set up the
meeting room with place cards indicating
to delegates where to sit. The Street
Rodders’ primary delegate strength was
made up of Bob Dykes, Bob Moule and
Kevin Mayo and our seating arrangements
distanced each in the most inconvenient
manner with Dennis Syrmis covering Bob
Moule; Trevor Mobbs looking after Kevin
Mayo; and Bob Dykes sandwiched between
Larry Ormsby and Paul Rogers. After the
briefest of meetings lasting just over two
hours, we decimated the AHRF having any
role in either Show/Street or Drag Racing
administration.
“(Being Chairman of Honour) was a vibrant
period with John Storm as National Director
and the new direction for Drag Racing
underway. One of my most satisfying
contributions was in submitting a proposal
for ANDRA to operate the Injured Drivers
Fund.”
There is no doubting the fact that Ormsby’s
contribution to Australian drag racing has
been significant and he is a thoroughly
deserving Hall of Fame inductee.
“My initial reaction was one of surprise, and
then after a mental review of my time in
the sport, it was a feeling of satisfaction to
have been recognised by my peers’ at this
level,” Ormsby said.
“I’m not sure what may follow the induction,
but I am honoured by the selection and
thank my nominees.
“I also would like to record a special thank
you to all of the team members who over
a period of almost 16 years gave freely of
their time, talent and determination to give
me the best shot at winning through their
meticulous preparation of my competition
vehicle.
“There are also two individuals who were
pivotal in my career highlight wins who
should be thanked. First is Colin Russell
who was at my first competition event in
1968 and the 1984 Nationals win at Surfers
Paradise International Raceway. Second
is Mark Watson who was one of Colin’s
apprentice students at Batman Automotive
School. Colin eventually passed the Crew
Chief responsibility for the Top Fuel dragster
on to Mark and he was crew chief when we
ran 5.903 at 244.55mph.”
The Larry Ormsby
Scrapbook
– the Ford Years
is available now and documents
the early years of Australian drag
racing, including the formation of
ANDRA, while covering the Big O’s
famous Ford factory-backed GT
Falcons.
The book is available from
www.larryormsby.com/shop
at just $75 plus P&H.