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Speedway History - Part 1

"Speedway racing actually began in Australia in the 1920s in Maitland near Newcastle in NSW."

"It was an Australian yes an AUSSIE who became THE FIRST WORLD Motorsport Champion!"

"YES" that's correct An Australian, funny name but Australian none the less; Lionel van Pragg won the First ever Solo Bike title at Wembly Stadium in 1936. Interestingly, Van Pragg was also a famous world war II fighter pilot, he went onto be awarded the George Cross medal for bravery.

During the 1920s solo bike racing was emerging all around our vast country, Maitland, Wayville Showgrounds (SA), Clermont Showground in Perth, and the famous Sydney Showground, a safety fence had been constructed around the Sydney venue in 1926.

In the 1930s dirt track racing was fast becoming a spectator sport and amazingly up to 20,000 people would flock to the showgrounds around the countryside to witness the dirt gladiators do battle shoulder to shoulder wheel to wheel.

Midget (speedcar) racing was emering as the four wheel division. Car were built of crude steel tubing, Alvis, Ford & JAP engines were all the go. The drivers wore short sleeved shirts, canvas type safety helmets, no fireproof underwear. Deaths were frequent, many did survive horrific crashes but some did not.

Frank Arthur, Johnnie Hoskins and Bert Pryor formed Empire Speedway Pty Ltd during 1933 and ran meetings at the Famed Sydney Shounground, a tight (bullring) type track. Meetings consited of Solo Bike heat races and speedcar races.
Speedcar racing reached fever pitch during 1936 when drivers such as Jack Skelton, Dinney Patterson, American Ace Paul Swedberg and others raced at the fame Melbourne Olympic Park. Standing room only for the spectators was the rage, not one blade of grass was availible to sit on.

It was not unusual to go to an AFL match and stay on for the speedway races. One such Meeting had been promoted as Richmond V South Melbourne, then Midget car aces at 8 pm under Electric Light.

As the 1940s approached the cars were getting faster and the drivers were beginning to wear long sleeved leather jackets but the crash helmets were the same style.

Sidecar racing, speedcar & solo bike racing was all the go at the Sydney Showground. Test solo bike racing between Australia and England was typical during the summer. USA driver Perry Grimm raced at the Showground in his beautifully prepared and built V8/60 speedcar numbered 65. Aussie driver Ray Revell purchased the Johnny Balch OFFY and brought it back to Sydney where is was vertually unbeatable.

Not many people know but, Sir Jack Brabham began his motor racing career in a midget speedcar. It was numbered USA 28 and was a V Twin cylindered powered vehicle. He mainly raced at the Sydney Showground.

1950s saw bigger tracks emerging. Windsor Speedway (NSW) was a flat dirt half mile speedway which allowed faster racing with wide open spaces. It was typical to see three or even four abreast racing.
Then Bash and Crash Stock Car racing was introduced which saw bigger crowds at the tracks.

Bash and Crash Stock Car racingwas introduced which saw bigger crowds at the tracks. Stocks UNLIKE the American Stock Cars were older bodied vehicles with steel bars all the way around, some were actuall filled with concrete for when they hit another competitor.

The cars were mainly Ford or Chevrolet engined V8s NOT built for speed but for actual racing and slamming into other cars to bumped them out of the race. Test match racing Between Australia and New Zealand was popular at the Showgrounds around the countryside. Drivers such as Johnny Stewart, Stan Brazier, Chook Hogkiss & Pat Frazer were all stand out racers.

b>1960s saw the emergence of sleek,more powerful speed cars. The introduction of power plants such as Chevvytwo, Offenhauser, Volvo, Peugot, Ford Falcon all made for faster racing. The introduction of HOT ROD racing brought out home made cars. Fast V8 engines, lightweight made from Water pipe skinny wheels also saw close racing.

The very first Australian Hot Rod title was held at Windsor in 1963 and was taken out by Victorian driver Billy Willis. Hot Rods soon became Super Modifieds. The fields became larger as more and more cars were being built. Sunday afternoon battles at Westmead between Big Bill Warner in his fully imported modified and Local ace Dick Brition became legendary. Both drivers given the field half a lap start as back then the races were all standing starts, (unlike today). One young driver began racing at Westmead and was to become ten times nation champ in the division. Garry Rush drove the 186 powered Suttons Motors modified. Rush was to make history later on you will see when he purchased the first ever clutchless sprintcar from American Johnny Anderson. Battles at the Sydney Showground between Warner, Brition and Lary Burton from Sacramento would attract 1000s of fans during summer on a Saturday night.

      GO TO HISTORY - PART TWO
      GO TO HISTORY - PART THREE

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Come along to the speedway and bring the kids
- you will have a great time!

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