Wind back the clock to the London speedway craze with Whanganui identity David Burnham

Who knew that David Burnham was once a stockcar warrior back in his homeland?

As the Wanganui Warriors prepare to do battle at the ENZED Superstock Teams Championship in Palmerston North this weekend, Iain Hyndman winds back the clock to 1950s London.

David Burnham was a well-known in Whanganui for his mechanical skills and motorcycle and car sales throughout last century, but little was known of his driving skills on the speedway track.

Originally from Hendon Greater London, Burnham never drove stockcars in his adoptive home in New Zealand, so as he tinkered away at his vehicle sales business and workshop at David Burnham Motors in Anzac Pde next door to The Red Lion Inn, few would have had an inkling of the warrior that lay within.

Burnham sold cars and was agent for Yamaha and Kawasaki motorcycles.
Before moving to New Zealand and Whanganui some sixty odd years ago, the motor mechanic by trade stumbled upon a new craze sweeping the Greater London area in te early 1950s - stockcar racing.

In the August 2017 edition of the British magazine Stock Car, Guy Parker took time out as Great Britain Lions team director to interview and write a small feature article on Burnham.

A glance back in time to the London speedway craze of the 1950s with adopted Whanganui identity David Burnham in the driver's seat.

Managing the Lions stopped for an afternoon down under last year when Parker visited as he described himself " one of the most experienced racers of the 1950s short-lived British team racing scene - David Burnham"

The article documents Burnham's his progress behind the wheel after falling into the craze almost be accident.

"It may have been through the newspapers, but it seemed evryone was talking about it," Burnham told Parker.

He seemed to be in the right place at the right time, a mechanic by trade which was alsmot essential for a stockcar driver in the early days, and within easy travelling distance to race tracks at Harringay, West Ham and Aldershot to name just a few.

At 23, Burnham was keen to give something new a crack.

"I worked for Hillwood Motors in Edgware. My first stockcar was a Ford Mercury Coupe. The company bought it, but the V8 engine was buggered, so we converted it to a stockcar and it was competitive," Burnham recalled.

Hillwood Motors had a breakdown truck that Burnham was able to commandeer, so he was set to transport his stockcar to race meetings.

Those first few seasons were without doubt his most exciting with big crowds flocking to new tracks opening all over England. Memories of racing against the mighty Americans during their short, but unforgettable UK tour in 1955 linger.

"At Harringay the national anthems were played before the meeting, it was a very proud moment."

During the first few seasons team racing in the UK was a popular part of meetings and in 1956, the National Stockcar League was formed with six teams. Kent entered two teams and Burnham was a major player alongside the great Johnnie Brise and Chez Chesson.

"Team racing certainly got your adrenaline going. We had six aside and worked out our team plan before the race deciding who to take out - it was a bit like a wanted list,' Burnham told Parker.

"It was particularly brutal. {one time} I was the only one of our team left running against three of theirs. I was winning until the car just stopped. The petrol pipe had come off and fuels was pouring out which was a bit scary."

Since moving to New Zeland 61 years ago, Burnham was never driven stockcars despite having a speedway track (Oceanview) on his doorstep.

"No I never raced out here, it was time to get my business established and I had a young family."

There were hints, however, of his speedway exploites in the old country.
Some may remember a certain sidecar back in the day with "I wish I was a Kawasaki from David Burnham Motors" signwritten on the faring.

Do doubt, the now retired 86-year-old will be keeping a keen eye on the fortunes of the Wanganui Warriors in Palmerston North this weekend.

The team is: Dion Mooney (captain), Scott McIntosh, Shaun Pearson, Chad Ace, Clint Hill, Francis Potaka (sixth driver).