Peter Davey Co pilot and driver John
Hi Jason,
I was just looking up info on Reamus Rover and come across this post.
My father "Peter George Davey" along with a guy name John built the first Reamus. My name is Patrick John Davey and im your age probably went to school with you as I went to school in Seymour. My father along with John raced it till they handed it over to the apprentices as a learning tool. We lost all the pictures of it years ago to fire. Have you got anymor pictures.
Patrick
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jase218
After the disappointment of the first race, it was decided that RAEMUS could do with a freshen up. Between Nov 87 and Jul 88, Dad and his best mate - and as much help an 11 year old kid can be - working after hours and weekends stripped RAEMUS down to the chassis rails and started again.
The rear suspension was redesigned, with multiple shocks on each wheel. The officials at the BAV 100 picked up that RAEMUS din't comply with a few current rules around roll cages, seats and harness mounts, so these were all updated. The driveline and running gear was overhauled, all the usual stuff. I remember a new engine was built from 179HP block as the original was bored to far. I think this happened late in the piece and there was bit of a mad rush to have it done.
RAEMUS debut was to be the 1988 Bridgestone International at Kempsey NSW. In those days, this was the pinnacle event in Australia and the biggest off road race in the southern hemisphere.
RAEMUS was unveiled about a week beforehand at a function attended by the sponsors gathered from the local area, the local newspaper and all the family and friends. She looked immaculate and hopes were high.
Unfortunately not long after the start the gearstick snapped. Whilst repairing that it was noticed that newly redesigned rear suspension was a failure and had ripped the upper mounts from the rails, so it was decided to retire.
From there it was back to BAV 100 at Seymour in October. Here was probably the highpoint of RAEMUS career with victory in Class 8 for Modified 4x4. From there it was onto the final round of the Victorian Off Road Championship at Avalon in November. After a fantastic wheel to wheel battle with the similar Army Reserve car (more on this later), RAEMUS came second in Class 8 with the ARes guys taking the win.
Missing the first half of the season probably cost us the Victorian Off Road Championship for Class 8 in 1988, so it was a pretty good year.