Richard O'Hagan drives through the flames in 1968.
Richard O'Hagan drives through the flames in 1968.
When the Dannevirke and Districts A&P Show opens next Friday, there will be fun and excitement, but gone is the death-defying entertainment of the 1968 show.
But while the O'Hagan hell drivers have long since slowed down, their daredevil stunts haven't been forgotten.
Driving through a flaming inferno and walls of fire in 1968 was Richard O'Hagan, who told the Dannevirke News, "it was all good fun".
The O'Hagan hell drivers were formed after Richard, then in his 30s, was approached by a former showman, known by a number of alias names.
"He was known for renewing himself and took on the name Dinnie O'Hagan when he formed the stunt driving team," Richard said.
"He had to have a new name and just seized on my family name.
Richard O'Hagan of Palmerston North, right, was back in Dannevirke with his wife, Paula, to reminisce on his stunt driving exploits. Photo / Christine McKay
"We thought we'd make a lot of money, but in reality we lived like church mice. But it was one hell of an adventure."
An engineer, Richard made all the ramps for the show.
"Our lives were in our own hands," he said. "It was hairy at times, but also a wonderful time."
The stunt drivers jumped cars over a space of 9 metres (10 yards) in midair from one ramp to another, wowing the crowds.
"It was like riding a bike, you just did it," Richard said. ""If we overshot the landing ramp we came down with a crash, but I didn't have any serious accidents."
The hell drivers show began in October 1967 at an industries fair in Christchurch and one of their big occasions was at the Hastings Blossom Festival in 1968, when 5200 people watched the show.
In early February of that year the hell drivers topped the bill at the Dannevirke and Districts A&P Show.
Driving through flaming hoops and fiery walls, Richard said it was important to make it spectacular for the spectators.
Richard O'Hagan flies through the ring of fire at the Dannevirke A&P Show in February 1968.
"The fire wall was made of petrol-soaked pinex and to make a bigger bang, we'd have acetylene bombs [balloons filled with acetylene] tied to the front of our cars. We'd then go hurtling through and you'd get one hell of a flash and a big bang. It looked pretty amazing."
Appearing on the hallowed grounds of Wellington's Athletic Park was something Richard has never forgotten.
"It was a real feat to talk those in charge into letting us perform there," he said. "There we were with exploding, burnt pinex and churned up grass at the home of rugby."
The O'Hagan hell drivers put on their last show at the Auckland Easter Show in 1968 and Richard went back to his engineering job.
