SPEEDCAR DRIVER FROM YESTERYEAR BOB GREENTREE DIES

Feature photo courtesy of Brian Darby…Bob in the Madden Holden

Former Sydney and West Australian Speedcar driver Bob Greentree has died in America aged in his early 90s.

Bob had an extensive career racing not only in Sydney, but also Perth and later in America.

He lived in America for many years after leaving our shores in the latter half of the 60s to chase his dream racing Midgets with the premier United States Auto Club. By 1967 he had settled in America and ran regularly with USAC.

He was a participant on the USAC trail for a number of seasons and has the distinction of being a part of history when USAC ventured indoors at the world famous Houston Astrodrome (Houston, Texas) for two Speedcar fixtures (1969 and 1970).

He raced his own Offenhauser and recorded some strong performances against the cream of the crop, Bob Tattersall, Bob Wente, Mel Kenyon, Mike McGreevy, Don Meacham, Dave Strickland and Co during his time with USAC.

But, in Australia, he is probably best remembered for a race he DIDN’T win . . . but almost!

It was in 1960 at the Sydney Showground and the running of the prestigious Australian Speedcar Grand Prix on March 5.

It marked the first full national tour by Bob Tattersall from Streator, Illinois.

Greentree, driving the red and white Madden Holden #12, commanded the lead late into the race, but the legendary American was right there with him in one of the all-time great GPs.

It looked like the hometown boy was set to pull off a huge upset and a mighty victory when it got down to only a few remaining laps – that was until a spin slowed the race with a caution period.

Right there and then, Greentree copped a full onslaught from the American professional who got the jump at the green and made an inside pass heading into the back straight. Would Tattersall have passed Greentree had the GP gone flag-to-flag, or was Tattersall just biding his time? Questions that long serving followers cannot answer!

Greentree was more celebrated for taking Tattersall right to the line, than the win by the high priced American import.

It was one of Greentree’s most impressive drives after he came through the field and passed some cars before he reached the lead and then set a cracking pace oat the Sydney Showground and sustained internal injuries that put him on the sidelines for a time. It was not long after he then raced in Western Australia before he headed to America.

On September 10, 2005, Bob was a surprise visitor to the annual Cyclone Industries Vintage Speedcar Spectacular at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground. 

At the Ekka 2005 with #9 Sesco…Photo by Col Mullins courtesy of Brian Darby

Bob had not been to the world famous Ekka for 40 years and attired in his racing suit, complete with the Australian flag across the front, enjoyed some drives behind the wheel of the Gordon Benny owned ex-Dean Hogarth Sesco.

Bob’s daughter gave Australian speedway the sad news of his passing in America on March 10, 2023 after a long battle with dementia.