Allan Tomlinson (1916–2011)

Allan Tomlinson, winner of the 1939 Australian Grand Prix and perhaps Western Australia’s best racing driver, has passed away in Perth.

While brief, his motor racing career was very successful. Just 12 months after joining his local car club in Perth during 1935, he was racing a Ford V8 at Lake Perkolilli with his best friend Clem Dwyer providing passenger acrobatics. In 1937 Allan took delivery of a standard MG TA that was continuously updated so as to keep just ahead of the handicapper. Onlookers noted the meticulous care, impeccable preparation of the team consisting of Dwyer “The Manager,” Allan “The Driver” and Bill Smallwood “The Minder.” After initial difficulties and an accident, this is the car that won at least six races in a row, culminating in Allan’s remarkable Australian GP victory in 1939 at Lobethal—his first venture outside his home state. One year later, on his return to Lobethal, it was all over, as the car bounced its way to destruction, flinging the badly damaged driver into Adelaide hospitals for the next six months. He did not race again.