Late 1980s and early 1990s

Midgets - Late 1980s and Early 1990s

The Higgins Chevy II #30

Barry in the Higgins Chevy II speedcar (#30) on the inside of Kevin Gormley (#40). For the latter part of the 1985-86 season Barry was domiciled in Sydney and raced the car with considerable success at both Liverpool and Parramatta.
(Tony Loxley photo sourced from tloxleyspeedway@internode.on.net)

Barry poses with the Higgins Chevy II 1987-88 at Parramatta on one of his sojourns back across the Tasman.
(Bill Meyer photo from Just One More, The Speedway Photography of Bill Meyer by Wayne Meyer and Tony Loxley, Full Throttle Publications, NSW)

Barry Butterworth at speed at Parramatta City Raceway in the Higgins-owned Chevy II speedcar.
(Wayne Meyer photo from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid
=145501342235135&set=o. 164582993653160&type=3&theater)

Another photo from Parramatta of Barry running down on the pole line in the Higgins car.
(Wayne Meyer photo from Speedway by the Freeway.An Illustrated History of Parramatta/Sydney Speedway by Tony Loxley. Full Throttle Publishing, Glenbrook, NSW)

Barry running the ex-Higgins Chevy II in a one-off appearance at the Sydney Royal for the 1992 Australian Grand Prix. For the Australian crowd he is carrying NZ #1!
(Tony Loxley photo from Ghosts in the Bull Pens by Tony Loxley and Dennis Newlyn, Full Throttle Publications, NSW)

Another great shot of Barry B at the Australian GP meeting at the Royale.
(https://www.facebook.com/ian.c.ireland)

Barry still had plenty of spirit as can be seen from the way he was running the car here.Barry Butterworth at speed at Parramatta City Raceway in the Higgins-owned Chevy II speedcar.
(Steve Magro photo from https://www.facebook.com/groups/184768618290981/)

The Ray Alach Chevy II #67

After the Circle Track Racing Association was formed by Barry and Brian Tracey, Barry ran in the midget class in 1987-88 at Waikaraka Park and then at Meremere. For the first Waikaraka metting he drove the Chevy II-powered car (#67) owned and built by Ray Alach. Thereafter, Max took over driving duties of #67 and Barry drove a new Alach car #75.
(Dion Mayson photo, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry Butterworth stands waiting at practice at Waikaraka Park while work is done on the Chevy II motor.
(From https://www.facebook.com/groups/146330412068215/photos/)

Barry taking the Ray Alach Chevy II out for hot laps – with crash helmet but without tracksuit!
(From https://www.facebook.com/groups/146330412068215/photos/)

Barry at speed in the Ray Alach Chevy II racing at Waikaraka Park.
(Alan Clark photo from the Marcel Facoory collection)

Barry Butterworth (#67) lines up on the inside of Graham Hartnell (#57) with Brett Horrobin (#87) and Ted Tracey (#1) behind at Waikaraka Park.
(Alan Clark photo from the Marcel Facoory collection

Barry standing on the terraces at Western Springs being interviewed for a TV documentary “Saturday Night Heroes” on 50 years of midget car racing in Auckland.
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150299766058084&
set=a.10150260794243084.378055.722823083&type=3&theater)

A happy Barry Butterworth recalls the good times during the interview. Although he was an "OUTLAW" the interview was still done at Western Springs!
(From the John Stanley collection)

Barry walks down the Western Springs terraces in his best bell bottom jeans with the interviewer!
(From the John Stanley collection)

The Ray Bull VW #79

Barry posing with the Ray Bull VW on the infield at Western Springs during the 1990-91 season. It was his last fully competitive season – albeit in an out-dated VW-powered car.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry running the car hard at Kihikihi. Barry finished eighth in the NZ Midget Championship held at Kihikhi in 1990-91.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry hard at it in the Ray Bull VW #79. Barry won his 64th, and last, midget feature at Western Springs in this car.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

In the pits and ready to be pushed out onto the track. Barry finished second in the 1990-91 North Island Midget Championship held at Bay Park Speedway in this car.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

As can be seen here, Barry was beginning to show the signs of his illness but still was able to run hard.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Here is a well-published photo of Barry running the Ray Bull VW at Kihikihi.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Michael Kendall finds out Barry still plays for keeps! Michael has just jumped the rear right of Barry's midget.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

This time Michael Kendall decides to try an inside pass on Barry B!
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry being chased by the current NZ Midget Champion Graham Standring in the Edmunds Cosworth at Kihikihi.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Give no quarter, take no quarter! Standring executes an outside pass and Barry keeps charging hard. You wouldn't expect anything else from either of them!
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Come around you SOB! Barry has handling problems at Kihikihi as the Ray Bull VW pushes badly.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Back at Western Springs and Barry hugs the pole line.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry is involved in a bit of a shunt at the Springs. Michael Kendall is facing the wrong way as Graham Standring (#1) goes over the side of Barry's Ray Bull VW. The tail of Graham's car is actually in Barry's cockpit and he has his hand up trying to protect his head.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

A crunched Buttercrunch 1991 style! Barry checks his helmet and head after the shunt. Barry was OK but the car needed substantial repairs.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry B hooked up and honkin in the Ray Bull VW at Western Springs.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry (L) working on the car in the pits.
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150299766128084&
set=a.10150260794243084.378055.722823083&type=3&theater)

The Ken Mullins VW #22

Barry at the wheel of the Ken Mullins VW in the 1991-92 season. The car was built by Ken in 1979 and was raced successfully by a number of drivers including Max Butterworth.
(Ian Abrahams photo, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry posing in the Mullins VW. He drove it in the 1991-92 season and for a few races in the 92-93 season. He was suffering from the debilitating effects of emphysema and tired towards the end of races. But he loved to race.
(From the Allan Batt collection)

Barry (R) in the pits after the meeting in 1991-92 posing with brother Max (L) and their cousin Warwick Cowie (M). Barry has a can of his favourite beer, Lion Red, in his hand but is thankfully now without a cigarette.
(Allan Clark photo, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry emerges from the Mullins VW (#22) on the infield. He loved driving it but his deteriorating health didn't allow him to show anywhere near his best.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Still back'n it after all that time! Barry shows the classic style that made him an icon of the sport - crossed up and charging!
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry takes to the infield after a shunt at Western Springs in the 1991-92 season.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry hard at it in the Mullins VW as he leads a couple of young top line drivers, Carl Olsen in the Ellis Gearte (#9) and Brett Horrobin in the Harris Cosworth (#1).
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry B at speed in the Mullins car showing he can still pedal a midget like a champion.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry at speed and looking good in the Mullins VW. (Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry B has #22 crossed up, and with the inside wheel hiking, as he holds the pole line at Western Springs. (Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Repairs are being made to the Mullins VW in 1992-93. The air-cooled VW-powered cars were very light and were often tipped on their side to be worked on.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)

Barry made a few appearances in the Mullins VW during the 1992-93 season. He tired after only a few laps and gave it away on doctors orders.
(Colin Irwin photo sourced from http://www.sap.net.nz/)