American midget racer of the 60s & 70s, Don Meacham of Fresno CA., has sent some of his past racing pics for us to enjoy on ' Just Midgets '. Don toured Australia and New Zealand in 1968 along with fellow American drivers, Bob Tattersall and Bill Mehner. It's a pleasure to show some of your history Don, .............thank you .
Don seated in the Myron Caves Offy. in 1966..the car he brought out to Australia and New Zealand.
Fresno 1964.
Don in the J.C.Agajanian # 98 Offy,
normally driven by Parnelli Jones.
Chicago - 1964
John Seaman's # 17 Offy.
Don's Visitors.
Chicago - 1964.
Don in # 17 runs inside Mel Kenyon in # 14.
Fresno CA. - 1965
#98 Parnelli Jones runs inside Don in #1
Don in the Caves Buick Special Offy.
The photo from the programme cover.
In the Caves Offy # 85 at San Antonio in 1966.
The decals on the engine cover show 7 Feature wins.
This was the car Don ran in Australia and New Zealand.
Don drove the Cleaver Brookes Special at Indianapolis in 1967 as a Rookie.
Indianapolis 1967.
The 'Downunder ' Australasian tour 1968.
Australia and New Zealand.
Don Meacham, Bill Mehner and Bob Tattersall arrived in New Zealand in late December 1967. They ran three meetings at Western Springs Speedway, Auckland. In meeting No.8, Don won the feature from Billy Mehner and Bob Tattersall. Meeting No.9 saw Tattersall win the feature from Don and Sid Middlemass of Australia. Meeting No. 10, Don won this one from Bill Goode of Australia and Billy Mehner. Don won the Australasian ( Australian and New Zealand ) Speedcar Championship in Auckland N.Z. in 1968 from Bill Goode of Australia and Ian Holden of New Zealand.
In Australia and at his first meeting at the Sydney Showground Speedway on Sat. January 20th 1968, Don won the 30 lap Feature race. At the next meeting on January 27th he won a 3 lap Match race against Johnny Stewart, won the International Stars 10 lap Scratch Race and came 2nd to Johnny Stewart in the 1968 35 lap Australian Grand Prix. Jan 31st meeting Don did a 20 sec lap of the Royale in time trials . Meeting Feb 3rd and Don ran 2nd to Johnny Stewart in the International Stars Scratch race, Meeting 9th March, their final night at the Royale and Don ran 2nd Barry Butterworth in a 3 lap Triangular Match race with Ray Oram 3rd. and 2nd to Ray Oram in the Offenhauser Scratch race .
Don and Bob also ran at the famous Claremont Speedway in Perth . W.A.
Relaxing, 'downunder'
Don Meacham far left and Bob Tattersall second from right.
Don in the Myron Caves Offy # 3 in Auckland N.Z in 1968.
Car owner Myron Caves is centre of photo.
Don says this is the first of the Don Edmunds midgets.
Winners are grinners .
1968 Australasian Speedcar Championship, Western Springs Speedway , Auckland , New Zealand.
1st. Don Meacham, 2nd Bill Goode, 3rd Ian Holden.
This magnificent painting of Don in # 3 and Bill Mehner in # 63 by New Zealand artist and Speedway supporter, Gordon Mc Isaac.
Don in action at The Royale in the beautiful little Myron Caves Offy # 3.
The car still exists in Australia in chassis form only.
The American trio in Australia
Bob Tattersall in the # 12 Kischell Offenhauser,
Don Meacham in the # 3 Myron Caves Offenhauser,
Bill Mehner in the # 63 Richardson Offenhauser.
Don and the Caves Offy # 3 on the infield at the Sydney Showground Speedway, Australia.
A great 3/4 rear view of the pair.
Thank you to Don Meacham, Bill Lawler, John Stanley, Bob Ottaway and Gordon McIsaac for the extra information and the use of their material. I hope you have enjoyed the tribute to ...Don Meacham..U.S.A.
Advertising Don's appearance next meeting.
First appearance at Sydney Showground Speedway. Won 30 lap Feature
out of position 15.
Won match race against Johnny Stewart, won Stars Scratch race. 2nd place in 35 lap Australian Grand prix.
2nd in Stars Scratch race.
2nd in Triangular Match race to Barry Butterworth. 2nd in Offenhauser Scratch race. Final Sydney appearance.
Advertising for next meeting.
3rd quick time in Flying lap times at 20 sec ( 60 mph av.). Heat win in match race against Howard Revell.
Champion Spark Plug advertisement.
In September 2004 Don and his good wife Ilda came out to Australia and took part in the 2004 Cyclone Industries Vintage Speedcar Spectacular meeting at the Brisbane Exhibition grounds, Queensland. Don drove the ex Leo Vercoe NZ99 Chev II midget............................ It was great having you both here Don.
Photos - John Stanley - 2004.
Sadly Don passed away on
February 22 2021 as the result of a fall
at home in the U.S.
Rest in Peace Don.
Brothers Larry & Don Meacham - Gregory Terrace Motel Brisbane for the '05 Ekka Vintage meeting.
Ilda & Don Meacham - John Harris - Brian Darby - Ekka '04 Vintage weekend Brisbane
