Obituary: Frank 'Satan' Brewer

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Racing driver. Died aged 94

As a kid in the 50s, Saturday nights at Western Springs were the best.

The chance to watch "Satan" Brewer charge around the quarter-mile cinder track in a midget car was something else.

In much the same way as Cardigan Bay did at Alexandra Park in later years, Brewer had to give the rest a start - often beginning his race somewhere down the back straight as the others revved up nearer the line.

The thrill of the chase had the crowds on their feet. Brewer was "the man." A hero to the faithful who packed the concrete terraces to watch in awe ... no, hope, as he powered his way from the back into the pack and, almost inevitably, to the front.

The crowds loved it.

In those days there was no decibel limit. Noise was part of it.

Many calm summer Saturday nights in Auckland reverberated to the ear-shattering sounds as Brewer and other household names like Ross Goonan, Ian Holden and Roly Crowther went at it.

Brewer in No 99 was the star but everyone had their favourites among the Fords, Offenhausers and the rest.

For the last 40 or so years of his life, Brewer lived in the US but still found time to return here. Sadly, those visits have not been enough to earn him a place in the Sports Hall of Fame.