Brian Westwood’s lifelong love of cars has taken him all over the world and seen him go through some hair-raising experiences in the process.
After setting up his own business in 1966 working on imported American cars, the Sydneysider progressed to rally cars, and a decades-long involvement in motorsport began.
“I would go as the Crew Chief for the marathon cars, and we would do the London to Sydney rally, Panama to Alaska, London to Mexico, the Middle East series, New Guinea, New Zealand, the African Shield, and all those sorts of events,” Brian said.
Being part of an international rally crew dashing across continents meant Brian and his team went through many scary moments.
“We got caught in military coup in Lesotho, with bullets and all sorts flying around,” he said.
“I had an AK47 stuck in my face in the Middle East and men chased me with machetes in New Guinea.”
Brian especially enjoyed rallying through the bush in Africa, far away from the hustle and bustle of cities.
“We had an incident one time when we had to stop because there was a rhinoceros on the road,” he said.
“We also got chased by an elephant – it was funny to see four people try to get into one door of a car as quickly as possible!”
Brian and his wife Carolyn moved to Forresters Beach six months ago, where he continues to indulge his love for vehicles, albeit in model form in his garage.
“My garage is like a little museum,” he said.
“I love what I do, so feel like I haven’t worked a day in my life.”
For more information about Forresters Beach, click here.
