Phil Herreen	Number 17	Speedcar	Sprintcar
Robertson's

The connection to the Robertson family

The Robertson Family was involved in speedway from 1962 to the present day. Lawrie Robertson and Phil Herreen are friends and they decided to go racing when Phil was an apprentice working at the same factory that Lawrie was working. They first raced the Modified Sportsman (below) to great success with many mechanical innovations including the first team in Australia using a wing for downforce. It was driver adjustable and that was 20 years ahead of its time, this car also had an adjustable weight jacker which was also an Australian first.

The tousle between the Violent Valiant (Phil Herreen) and Suddenly (Bill Wigzell) was a constant battle each week with the crowd often barracking for either.

Phil's racing team in 1972 included:
Mick Pearson Lawrie Robertson, Geoff Chase, Bruce Robertson.
Support team included:
Jan Robertson, Norma Robertson, Cynthia Chase

For many years the cars and all mechanical repairs were in the Robertson shed at Clovelly Park. The neighbours would often see the Robertson's S series valiant towing the speed car up and down their street while they were testing a repair or new part. Daws Road was often used to tow the car up and down with streamers attached to test the drag of a new wing design.

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