Hi, Folks.
Is this the true history of the Great Race? I always wondered where it 'ackshully' took place. There IS a town called Lenswood in South Australia.



Just my 0.02.

Thanks for posting that Deas. I had a good laugh at the guy that was tossed out and simply ran back and got back on it again and at the fact that buildings did not stop them.

I have heard that the fellow on the 60 got killed when the barn dropped on him.

Hi, Dandy Dave.
Yep, I've heard that too. But, back in those days with no OSHA or Workplace Health And Safety, and if the tractor was still a runner, they probably just threw somebody else straight up on it to finish the race.

After all, this was also the era of the barnstormers and the wing walkers as well.

Just my 0.02.

I would say it is quite plausible because at 2:55 the shed wall and roof falls and lands heavily on the operator station. It looks like some heavy timbers landed there.

I could only see Caterpillars shown. Were there any other brands that I missed?

All looked super clean and straight. Perhaps company advertising played a part too??

Paul.

Hi, Huas.
I don't know as much of the back story as I would like to and I don't the why or the how of there only being Cats in the race. I have heard that Caterpillar tried to suppress the film for quite a while because of the danger aspect of it. This is the first time that I have ever heard anything about where it allegedly took place. I had always thought that it happened somewhere in the U.S.A.. And then this clip turns up.

I faintly suspect that it may have been an advertising stunt dreamed up by a local Cat dealer to publicise the products which would help to explain why there were only Cats in the event but I don't know.

Just my 0.02.

A couple of Cat guys are discussing the film and they contend the barn scene with the Cat "60" had no driver and was only movie fluff. No one got killed!  About 6 minute mark.



My 5 cents.