Statement from Victor Bray on the death of Mick Atholwood
"Like all Australians, I was saddened to hear of Mick Atholwood's
death on Saturday. I find it hard to believe that a man who was such a
consummate professional at and away from the drag strip is no longer with
us, my family and all of Team Bray extends our condolences to Mick's family
and friends.
I considered Mick a mate he was my crew chief for many years. Among the
many great memories of Mick is one I will never forget. I was competing
at the 1992 Nationals at Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne and had made
the final against the heavy hitter of Donna Sizmur. Mick Atholwood told
me before the final that we had to take some chances to try to out run
Donna as she was well under the index at the time. Instructions from Mick
were that he had given the car some more power and a little more travel
in the front end and if the front end came up higher than normal not to
worry and if you lose the horizon simply shift into second gear and the
front will come down smoothly and sail on down the track. I did what I
was instructed to do by Mick but it didn't quite go to plan. When I left
the start line, the front did actually come up and I did lose sight of
the horizon but when I shifted into second the front continued to rise
until the car was vertical on the race track and the rear bumper was scraping
the ground.
Mick said later he knew something was wrong when he saw the whole injector
hat from the start line.
Australian drag racing will never be the same now, Gone but never forgotten
vale Mick Atholwood."
