Ian Beechey began circuit racing in a genuine Torana GTR and then built up a Torana XU-1 sports sedan, which he began racing in 1980, enjoying considerable success.

The mechanicals from the Torana were then transferred into a Fiat 124 coupe that had been partly constructed by John Routley and Ian continued to feature in the results.

Unfortunately a health issue prevented him from renewing his circuit racing licence and so began a long and successful association with Paul Baily, who took over driving duties with great success.

With no requirement for a circuit racing licence to compete in speedway, Ian commenced building a Commodore saloon car, incorporating the mechanicals from the Fiat to compete on the asphalt at Latrobe.

By the time the car was finished Latrobe had been returned to a clay surface so the Commodore was modified to suit.

Over a five year period they proved to be a very successful combination culminating with Ian winning the prestigious Gary Devlin Memorial Super Sedan Classic at Latrobe in 1988.

On one occasion he came back from a Baskerville meeting feeling dejected that there were only 36 entries and started thinking what could be done to lift the numbers and entice more spectators.

He came up with the concept of a low cost regulated class with limited modifications using HQ Holdens, which were readily available and cheap to buy.

Ian devoted a huge amount of time to gain support from possible stakeholders and despite misgivings from others, assisted Spider Johnson in building a car based on a set of regulations scratched out on a piece of paper.

He approached Symmons Plains and Baskerville event organisers to see if they would be prepared to include races for HQs on their race program if they could field a minimum of 12 cars.

Symmons Plains said no, but Baskerville, through the agency of the late Ron McDonald, agreed.

Consequently, there were 36 cars entered for the first meeting at Baskerville and then later on, a field of  17, first time up at Symmons Plains.

Ian then stepped aside from the category organiser role, handing the reins over to the Circuit Racing Drivers Club, with HQ Holden racing becoming a staple diet not just in Tasmania, but Australia-wide.

The numbers grew so rapidly in Tasmania that two divisions were necessary to accommodate the entries and at one point there were hundreds of HQ Holden race cars log booked in Australia.

Ian did race his car briefly but then passed the driving duties to Paul Baily who became the man to beat.

It should be acknowledged that there were others who made a contribution to the idea but Ian’s original concept was the foundation and his legacy.

Written by Barry Oliver