Late 1970s

Midgets - Late 1970s

The Danny Lendich Edmunds Autocraft VW # 1 and #21 (same car)

The Peter Bruin VW # 1

Barry slipped from the scene and into semi-retirement during the 1974-75 season until the Western Springs promotion persuaded Peter Bruin (ex-McLaren F1 team mechanic) to give him the drive in his newly-built VW midget #14. Barry was competitive at times and won the 74-75 Auckland midget car championship.
(Bruce Kent photo, from the Willie Kay collection, from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry poses in the Bruin VW with the crew on the infield at Western Springs. Car owner and builder, Peter Bruin, is standing to the right of the photo.
(Bruce Kent photo, from the Willie Kay collection, from the Allan Batt collection)

Backmarkers, Barry B (#14) and Mel Kenyon (#61), run down low on the pole line in their VW-powered midgets as they as they go through a field of slightly slower cars. Others on the track include Eddie James (#97), Leo Vercoe (#99), Cliff North (#72) and Warwick McKenzie (#9).
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Coming out of Pine Tree Bend and on to the back straight with the front left wheel of the ground. Barry and the car got faster and faster as the bugs were ironed out of the motor.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

The Bruin VW is up on three wheels as Barry leads arch rival, Trevor Morris, in the Jim Beam Chevy II.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Des Harris collection)

Barry racing through on the inside of Australian visitor Barry Pinchbeck in the Morton and May Offenhauser.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Gordon McIsaac collection)

Placegetters in the 1974-75 Auckland Midget Championship. From L to R, Pat Johnson (third), Barry Butterworth (first) and Max Butterworth (second). Peter Bruin and John Stanley fitted home-made fuel injection units to the car on Friday night and Barry won the Auckland Championship on the Saturday night!
(Bruce Kent photo from the Gordon McIsaac collection)

Barry and the crew at Western Springs. Although Barry had a frustrating time with the Bruin VW, with many breakdowns, he finished first in the Auckland Championship and second in the NZ Championship.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Des Harris collection)

The Max Butterworth Mazda #12

During most of the 1975-76 season Barry was without a car. For the international meetings he borrowed Max's Mazda-powered midget, but did not have great success.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry has the Giltrap-sponsored Mazda midget down low as West Australian Johnny Fenton runs around the outside in the ex-Foyt 3K VW at Western Springs.
(Bill Meyer photo from Just One More, The Speedway Photography of Bill Meyer by Wayne Meyer and Tony Loxley, Full Throttle Publications, NSW)

The Danny Lendich Edmunds Autocraft VW # 1 and #21 (same car)

After Peter Bruin sold #14 early in the 75-76 season, Barry was again without a ride. However, Danny Lendich purchased an Edmunds Autocraft off Mel Kenyon (#1) at the end of Mel's down-under season and gave Barry the drive. He was instantly very, very fast and he soon became known as "Barry B".
(From Australian Speedway Champions by Bill Meyer, Page Publications Pty, NSW)

Legendary car owner Danny Lendich in the pits checking tyre pressures on his midget.
(Murray Job photo, from Open Wheel November, 1984)

Barry in the car on the infield in the evening light at Western Springs. It is still in Mel Kenyon’s blue livery but with Perfection Meats sponsorship added.
(From the Des Harris collection)

Barry flat out in the Lendich VW. Barry’s performances in this car at the end of the 1975-76 season showed he had lost none of his skill or passion to win.
(From the Gordon McIsaac collection) )

Barry B is on the track at Western Springs and ready to be pushed off.
(From the Gordon McIsaac collection)

Placegetters in the 1975-76 National 50 lap Championship. From L to R, Max Butterworth (third), Dave Jolly (second) and Barry Butterworth (first). Barry also won the 75-76 Auckland Midget Championship in the Lendich car.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Allan Batt collection).

Barry has the ex-Kenyon car (#1) humming at Mystery Creek in 1975-76.
(From http://macgor.proboards.com/thread/30344
/mystery-creek-1970s-auckland-midgets)

Barry (#1) tried for an inside pass on his arch rival Trevor Morris in the Radio Hauraki Chevy II (#58) at Mystery Creek and they both spun to a stop!
(From http://macgor.proboards.com/thread/30344/
mystery-creek-1970s-auckland-midgets)

Racing the Lendich Dub (still in Kenyon livery) underneath Ted Tracey towards the end of the 1975-76 season. Ted is driving an offenhauser he purchased from his dad and was in the process of learning the ropes as a midget driver.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Both VW-powered, the two leading NZ drivers of 1976-77 race hard together. Barry in the Lendich Sidchrome VW (#1) leads arch rival Trevor Morris (#85) in the Bob Leikus-prepared VW.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry was in scintilating form throughout the 1976-77 season in the Sidchrome-sponsored Lendich VW. Here he salutes the crowd after another win.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

For the 1976-77 season, the VW-powered locals dominated the Champion of Champions international pointscore event. First Trevor Morris (R), second Barry B (M) and third was West Australian Johnny Fenton (L).
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry in the Lendich dub (#1) in 1977-78. The car was sponsored by Barry Butterworth Trucking and Sidchrome. Danny Lendich is crouching down beside the car.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Des Harris collection)

Barry in full flight in the Danny Lendich Edmunds Autocraft.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry (#1) is on the inside of Trevor Morris (obscured) with offenhauser-mounted Ted Tracey (#2) ahead.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry in the Lendich dub (#1) racing wheel to wheel with Sleepy Tripp (#3) in the 1977-78 international series at Western Springs.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry in the pits readying himself for the nights racing.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry (#1) passes veteran Leo Vercoe in the Ray Alach-built Chevy II #99.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Allan Batt collection)

One of Barry’s avid fans (Wendy Luke) shows off her Barry B banner down in the western Springs pits with Barry.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

And she gets a hug for the camera from Barry!
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Barry is being pushed across the track and back into the pits.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Barry being pushed through the pits ready the park the Lendich VW.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

During the 1977-78 season Barry ended up parked on the front of Larry Rice's midget. Racing in the international events was always fierce.
(Bruce Kent photo from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry shows the peace sign to Larry Rice signifying he doesn’t think it was all Larry’s fault!
(https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21?fref=ts)

A spectacular shot of the equally spectacular Barry B at speed in the Lendich dub.
(https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21?fref=ts)

Barry perched on top of the pit fence relaxing with a cigarette.
(From the John Stanley collection)

Barry B (#1) takes the chequered flag at Western Springs as he pips Chevy II-mounted Owen Shaw (#2) at the line.
(From the Des Harris collection))

Barry (L) and Max (R ) catch up with Kevin Gormley in the pits at Western Springs during the 1977-78 season. All three Kiwis were domiciled and drove in Sydney during the late 60"s and early 70's.
(From the Allan Batt collection)

Speedway racing was clearly a serious business for Barry! Barry sits in the cockpit of the Lendich Edmunds VW (now numbered as #21) on the infield at Western Springs Stadium, 1978-79.
(Alan Clark photo from http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Barry-
Butterworth/192239297460554?v=info)

Barry posing in the Lendich car in 1978-79. This photo was used as the front page for Allan Batt's landmark book "One Tough Dude" which documents Barry B's driving career.
(From One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

On a Saturday evening, in the fading light, Barry has the Lendich VW #21 really crossed up going into Town Bend at Western Springs during the 1978-79 season.
(From the Allan Batt collection)

Circuit racing star of the time, Steve Millen (#15) being chased by Barry B in the Lendich Edmunds Autocraft (#21) during the 1978-79 season at Western Springs. Millen raced in the 78-79 and 79-80 seasons and became a top-line midget driver before he emigrated to the USA (becoming a notable off-road truck racer and a star in the IMSA sports cars series).
(Photo from Millen by Jon Addison, SMR Publishing, Costa Mesa, California, 2000

Here is Barry in the pits before the meeting has started – having a smoke as usual.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Barry Butterworth in the Lendich Edmunds VW ready for practice in 1978-79.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Barry Butterworth (#21) closes in on Sleepy Tripp (#3) during the 1978-79 international series over Christmas.
(From the Kevin McIvor collection)

John Steele of McMillan Ford with the placegetters in the 1978-79 Auckland Midget Car Championships. The winner was Barry Butterworth, second was Kevin Proctor of Christchurch and third was Dave Jolly (crouching).
(From the Kevin McIvor collection)

Barry Butterworth the way he always was – on the gas and charging!
(From the Des Harris collection)

The winning 1978-79 NZ midget team that defeated Australia and USA. From L to R, Ted Tracey, Keith Watson and Barry Butterworth (captain).
(From the Kevin McIvor collection)

Barry, with the inside front wheel lifting high off the ground, in the Lendich dub (#21) leads Ted Tracey (#1) and Ray Alach out wide.
(From the Anthony Duzevich collection)

Barry Butterworth (#21) hugs the pole line as he chases Ted Tracey (#1) while #78 Keith Watson and #15 Steve Millen are on the outside.
(From the Kevin McIvor collection)

Barry B (#21) with the inside front wheel hiking high in the air as he chases the 1977-78 NZ champion (#1) Ted Tracey at Western Springs during the 1978-79 season.
(Brian Hopping photo from the Alan Batt collection)

Barry at speed in the Lendich Autocraft VW.
(From the Allan Batt collection)

At the age of 40, Barry took the Lendich VW to the USA to race in the winters of 79 and 80. Barry travelled with his wife Troy and their two young sons. Here is the USAC rookie photographed by John Mahoney at Putnamville, 1979.
(John Mahoney photo, sourced from jmahoneypix@yahoo.com)

In 1979, the Butterworth family travelled the USAC midget circuit in a pickup truck with a small camper on the back and towed the midget on an open trailer! Barry did the mechanical work on the car – often in a car park. It was all Kiwi spunk and ingenuity.
(Troy Butterworth Collection from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

A newspaper clipping about Barry leaving for the USA with the Lendich VW. Pictured in the photo are from L to R, Rick Marmont, Brendan Butterworth and Barry Butterworth.
(From the Kevin McIvor collection)

Barry with the Lendich dub ready to time trial on the banked pavement at Winchester Speedway, Virginia. The USAC circuit involved many tracks both paved and dirt and Barry was obviously more at home on the dirt.
(John Mahoney photo, sourced from jmahoneypix@yahoo.com)

Barry is running hard during the Hutt 1000 at Terre Haute, Indiana.
(Troy Butterworth collection from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry B in the deep dirt at Terre Haute, Indiana.
(John Mahoney photo, sourced from jmahoneypix@yahoo.com)

On the USAC circuit again in 1979 at Terre Haute running hard inside another competitor.
(Troy Butterworth collection from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry Butterworth racing Sleepy Tripp (#28) out on the USAC circuit.
(From the Alan Batt collection)

Barry at full speed on a banked asphalt track on the USAC circuit.
(From the Dale Butterworth collection)

Barry wasn’t use to paved surfaces but had to learn fast! Here he is involved in a shunt at the paved Indianapolis Speedrome.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Barry comes to a stop in the same accident. The car is a but worse for waer- especially the left rear tyre!
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Barry on the inside of Rich Vogler on the asphalt in the USA – a surface Barry didn’t like at all!
(From https://www.facebook.com/groups/usamidgetracing/)

Barry at Du Quoin Fairgrounds Speedway (Illinois) ready to be pushed off.
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

Here, Barry slips under lapped competitors on his way to his first USAC feature win at the Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana, August, 1979.
(From Newspaper clipping of the time)

Barry racing the Lendich VW on the USAC circuit during 1979; (a) on the pavement at Xenia, Ohio on the inside of Kenneth Nichols, (b) right rear out in the cushion at Terre Haute and (c) time trialing out on the cushion at Kokomo, Indiana.
(From New Zealand Sports Digest Friday Oct 5, 1979 and John Mahoney photo, sourced from jmahoneypix@yahoo.com)

Barry takes the victory at Haubstadt as the first non-American to win a USAC midget feature.
(From http://www.speedwayclub.co.nz/history.php)

Barry makes some adjustments to the Lendich VW in the pits while racing in the USA.
(Phil Rider photo sourced from Phil Rider prider@niu.edu)

Celebration following the victory at Haubstadt, Indiana. Barry holds the chequered flag. His two young sons Dale (left front) and Brendon (holding trophy) share in the excitement along with sponsor, Stan Brown (extreme left).
(Troy Butterworth collection from the Allan Batt collection)

Barry Butterworth receives the 1979 USAC Midget Rookie of the Year Trophy at Terre Haute, Indiana after the running of the Hut 100 midget race.
(From http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
fbid=430967183647548&set=pb.100002028119128.2207520000.
1360570771&type=3&theatre)

Another shot of Barry receiving the USAC Midget Rookie of the Year Trophy.
(Phil Rider photo sourced from Phil Rider prider@niu.edu)

Barry at speed at the Indianapolis Speedrome in 1980. For his 1980 tour to the USA Barry drove the ex-Lendich Edmunds VW as the Stan Brown Enterprises VW since the car had been sold to Stan Brown.
(John Mahoney photo, sourced from jmahoneypix@yahoo.com)

Stan Brown (standing beside the car) picked up the tab for a rented house in Indianapolis for Barry and family. Stan loved being around the Speedway and had a soft spot for Barry. The 1980 trip was only moderately successful and Barry did not pick up any feature wins.
(John Mahoney photo, sourced from jmahoneypix@yahoo.com)

Barry refuels the Stan Brown Enterprises VW with Stan Brown’s help. On the left is Chris Cumberworth and in the background is Max B. The car was sold to Stan Brown before Barry returned to NZ. (https://www.facebook.com/dale.l.butterworth)

Barry poses with the team (From L to R, Max Butterworth, Stan Brown and Chris Chumberworth).
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151537226107461
&set=a.10150345781562461.344444.537227460&type=1&theater)

Barry running on a banked asphalt track in the USA in the Stan Brown Enterprises Edmunds VW.
(From the Des Harris collection)

Barry Butterworth (#21) running in the USA on the inside of former down-under visitor, Les Scott (#10).
(From the Des Harris collection)