Early 1970s

Sprintcars & Supermodifieds - Early 1970s

The first supermodified "Dracula" #3 and #26

The Tommy Boltinghouse Supermodified #40

The first supermodified "Dracula" #3 and #26

While in Australia, Barry purchased this ugly looking supermodified (#3) in 1970 fitted with a Chrysler Hemi motor. It was dubbed "The Beast" or "Dracula". Here he races at the Royale.
(Bill Meyer photo from Ghosts in the Bull Pens by Tony Loxley and Dennis Newlyn, Full Throttle Publications, NSW)

Barry (#3) in his Hemi-powered supermodified makes an inside pass on Evan Thomas (#30) at Liverpool.
(David Cumming photo from Liverpool City Raceway. More of The Place of Pace, by Tony Loxley, Full Throttle Publishing, Glenbrook, NSW, 2012)

Barry in the ill-handling car at Liverpool.
(David Cumming photo from Liverpool City Raceway, The Place of Place by Tony Loxley, Full Throttle Publications)

Barry in #3 at Liverpool, now with Chevy power, fighting an understeer as he chases Col Hicks in #53. On the Outside is American Johnny Anderson in the imported sprintcar #1. The sprintcar was subsequently purchased by Garry Rush and this began his legendary career as a sprintcar star.
(David Cumming photo from Liverpool City Raceway. More of The Place of Pace, by Tony Loxley, Full Throttle Publishing, Glenbrook, NSW, 2012)

A rare colour shot from the time of Jim Winterbottom on the inside of Barry B in Dracula at a Liverpool day-time meeting in 1971-72.
(From Sideways in the Swinging 70s. Speedway Superstars, Chevron Publishing, Lane Cove, NSW)

Barry B in the supermodified fights to hold back Bob Tunks in #54 during a daylight meeting at Liverpool City Raceway in the 1971-72 season.
(From 1972 Australian Speedway Yearbook (ed. P. Webster), Pro Magazines Pty, Avalon Beach, NSW

Barry shipped the supermodified to NZ during the winter of 1972. Here he is trying it out at practice at Western Springs before the 1972-73 season. Before racing began, the car was renumbered # 26.
(Gavin Evitt photo, from NZ Hot Rod Magazine, 1972)

Baz gets the supermodified haulin at Western Springs. He won the 1972-73 Auckland Supermodified Championship in the car.
(Bruce Kent photo, from http://macgor.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=
openwheelers&action=print&thread=8206

Barry inspects damage to the front end after he went through the wooden fence on the front straight at Western Springs and into the commentator's box!
(Bruce Kent photo from a newspaper cutting of the time)

Here is the new rebuilt commentary box fence (with reference to Barry “Buttercrunch”).
(From https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21)

A small man in a beast of a car with a very big steering wheel! Barry man-handles the car around Western Springs after his win in the 1972-73 Auckland Supermodified Championship.
(Bruce Kent photo from Stockcar and Speedway Sport Nos 6, Fourman Holdings, Petone)

Placegetters in the 1972-73 Auckland supermodified/sprintcar championship. From L to R, Barry Butterworth (first) Kevin McGreal (third) and Garry Murch (second).
(From the Gordon McIsaac collection)

The Tommy Boltinghouse Supermodified #40

In winter 1973, Barry raced the Tommy Boltinghouse supermodified (#40) at West Capital Raceway, Sacramento, California. Here he is on the inside of Johnny Anderson.
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Barry in a spot of bother at West Capital Raceway.
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Bob Walker (#184) jumps Barry's front wheel. The racing was close, hard and aggressive and that suited Barry down to the ground.
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Two Australasians meet by accident at West Capital Raceway! Barry Butterworth in #40 and Garry Rush in #43. Garry described Barry's driving style as being as rough as ever!
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Barry Butterworth in the Tommy Boltinghouse #40 at West Capital Raceway goes underneath two of his American competitors.
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Barry in the Boltinghouse supermodified #40 in the pits as he chats to Tommy.
(From the Kevin McIvor collection)

Jerry Miller (L) and Barry B (R) taking home the gold. Barry was the first non-American to win a feature race at West Capital Raceway.
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Barry B (trophy dash winner) recieves the trophy from a mini-skirted trophy girl and celebrates with the crew and car owner.
(From www.westcapitalraceway.com)

Barry and car-owner Tommy Boltinghouse pose with the trophy afer winning a feature at West Capital Raceway.
(From the John Stanley collection)

A rare colour photo of Barry Butterworth hot lapping the Boltinghouse supermodified in practice.
(From the John Stanley collection)

The Boltinghouse supermodified on the trailer ready to go to the track.
(From the Des Harris collection)

)

A newspaper cutting of the time detailing Barry's first feature win at West Capital Raceway.
(http://www.westcapitalraceway.com/forum/)

Kindred spirits, Garry Patterson and Barry Butterworth, were keen rivals on-track but friends away from racing. They were involved in a controversial match race series at West Capital Raceway in which Garry put Barry into the fence on the last corner and on Garry's victory lap Barry returned the compliment!
(Brian Hopping photo, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

The wingless Sprintcar # 1

For the 1975-76 season, Barry drove the Marmont and Underwood-owned, ex-Willy Kay, sprintcar. Here he poses with the crew. He won the 1975-76 Auckland Supermodified Championship and was second in the 75-76 NZ championship.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry has the Marmont and Underwood sprintcar crossed up at Western Springs. He drove everthing that way!
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

The car was extensively rebuilt for the 76-77 season (above). The car handled much better and he won the 1976-77 Auckland Championship.
(Dion Mayson photo from http://www.aucklandsprintcarclub.co.nz/314245/info/lightbox-3col.html)

Barry at the wheel of the sprintcar in the 1976-77 season.
(Bruce Kent photo, Willie Kay Collection, from One Tough Dude, The Barry Butterworth Story by Alan Batt, Speedway Classics, Alan Batt, Christchurch, NZ)

Barry posing with the crew in the pits during 1976-77
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=524262420918185&
set=p.524262420918185&type=1&theater)

A rare colour shot of Barry in the Perfection Meats sprintcar at Western Springs.
(https://www.facebook.com/dreveraaron?fref=ts)

Barry B with the wick turned up, running the sprintcar hard.
(From the Des Harris collection)

Harry Pierson (R) won the 1976-77 New Zealand Supermodified/Sprintcar Championship at Ruapuna with Barry B (L) a close second. A flat tyre in the first heat dashed any chance of Barry winning the championship.
(https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21?fref=ts)

Barry poses with two young fans on the Western Springs infield.
(https://www.facebook.com/barry.butterworth.21?fref=ts)

Barry(#1) goes for an inside pass on two cars at Western Springs. On the outside of him are Joe McQuarters and then Tony Allen in #5.
(From the kevin McIvor collection)