Westmead speedway closed its gates at the end of the 1968 season. Speedy bills entrepreneurial streak was established when he started his first. A hospital now covers the area where the speedway use to be located. Speedway is a vivid look at the wild world of oval track racing covering the years 1950 to 1989. Sedans straight off the street or better direct from the wreckers yard. By the freeway an illustrated history of parramatta speedway sydney speedway. Jeff started his career in little air cooled v twins, later drove for successful sydney car owner max. I have published it as a book called winter sundaysthe westmead stock rod story. You just need to send me an image and whatever contact method you choose for prospective buyers to contact you, or they can contact me by email here john and i will send the request on to you. It is a day that will live in infamy in australian speedway history when sydney speedcar star jeff freeman, 27, crashed to his death during the 15lap main event at sydneys westmead speedway.
It would be impossible to list everyone, however there is some speedway competitors who excelled and information and photos are available for you to view. I was growing up in sydney and mostly going to westmead speedway. Ive been researching the 35 year history of the former tunis speedway in waterloo, iowa. However, with speedway already established at the sydney showground speedway and sydney sports ground, as well as racing at the nearby cumberland oval, racing at granville was shortlived the new 460metrelong 500yard clay surfaced oval was. Worldleading westmead hospital parramatta heritage centre. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Sprintcar that im sure could fill a book, but effectively this car set australia on the. History victoria auto racing hall of fame and museum. The westmead hospital now stands on the site that was once a great speedway.
Westmead speedway a stockrod at the long closed westmead. Browns affection and zeal for the history of motor racing in the u. Speedway action full throttle publishing book release 2018. Westmead speedway 19551968, halfmile dirt track ran on sunday afternoons during the winter months on the grounds. The history of health services in western sydney began with a tent hospital established in. Brown, 1994, americas speedways edition, in english 2nd ed. Using descriptive, exciting and emotive captions, this stunning publication captures all the stars, the tracks, the cars and bikes that have made this one of australias most popular summer sports. The rich history of hot rod and super modified racing through the eyes of some of wa speedway s best scribes.
Feel the emotion and thrill of the best nascar racing history with our book series, commemorating the greatest speedways and raceways of the famous nascar circuit. Westmead hospital is within the scope of wikiproject australia, which aims to improve wikipedia s coverage of australia and australiarelated topics. A 620 yard track encircled the show ring and speedway was operated on this track on sundays during the winter months. Sydney showground speedway, originally known as the speedway royal and later the. The speedway by the freeway an illustrated history of parramattasydney speedwayvalvoline raceway by tony loxley is a 476 page, lavishly illustrated ride through time from construction of this iconic race track in 1976, until todays current season 2014.
A history of the speedway ashes paperback may 1, 2005. This city is very unique with its auto racing heritage and history. Film footage of westmead speedway race day, held on the current site of westmead hospital. Greyhound racing takes place every saturday evening, in addition to their three arc fixtures and speedway normally takes place on monday and thursday evenings. This really is a book to read for all fans of speedway who enjoy delving into the history of the sport and want to know accurately how it developed during the post war years. History of americas speedways 1994 edition open library. Once we have received payment, we will email you a jpeg file within 48 hours, which will print up to a. Valvoline raceway formerly known as parramatta speedway, parramatta city raceway and sydney speedway was the brainchild of former driver sid hopping and rose out of the ground to host its first practice session in january 1977. If you would like to participate, visit the project page. He began racing motorcycles as a teenager in the late 1940s, transitioning to cars in 1948. Born in lincoln, nebraska, bill developed an early passion for performance.
The history of speedway motors can be traced to the childhood of its founder, speedy bill smith. When the riders wore black leathers, open face helmets and the bikes were either chromed or were of natural metal colour. Many of the details and photos he shares on those pages are priceless to the motorsports fan with even the slightest penchant for history. The 14 mile later 38 mile dirt track spawned a number of talented drivers and was built in 1948, closing for good in 1983. Famous australian solo rider aub lawson was track manager in 1962. Town of speedway, indiana the official government website for the town of speedway, indiana. The idea of my book was to capture some of the history of the era. Speedway by the freeway an illustrated history of parramatta sydney valvoline raceway is a 472 page, hard cover book covering the history of. Warren bridge photofrom australian speedway an illustrated history, working class production, sydney.
Jan 16, 2016 ken sevenoaks neat stock rod in the westmead pits. The photo taken in the mid 1960s from an old slide of mine. History valvoline raceway ultimate sprintcar championship. Just imagine a sedan division these days turning up week in, week out with over fifty cars for a regular show. Hot rods in speedway talking speedway, speedway news. Stub this article has been rated as stubclass on the projects quality scale. In the early 1950s sedan cars on speedway started to leave their footprint when we saw the introduction of stock car racing. When ordering books please mention that you saw it featured on speedwayplus. Nascar racing history books famous speedways and raceways. Over 100 midget action photos from westmead speedway nsw australia in the. Jeff freeman, one of australias greatest midget drivers lost his life early in his career in a crash at westmead speedway on sunday 9th may 1965. I have just completed a history of westmeads stock rods. The club closed in october 2008 after the lease on smallmead stadium was sold and. It is very well written, very comprehensive, and full of rare and interesting photographs of riders, tracks and racing.
See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Canada is located on the southern tip of vancouver island. Speedway by the freeway an illustrated history of parramatta sydney valvoline raceway is a 472 page, hard cover book covering the history of sydneys iconic parramatta speedway now named valvoline raceway from its inception in 1977 until this current season. Westmead alliance in march 20, after stakeholder consultation, the westmead alliance was formed with a commitment to developing a future vision for the precinct. Low this article has been rated as lowimportance on the projects importance scale.
Winter sundays in the 60s the westmead stock rod story in the 1960s, regarded as one of the golden eras of australian speedway, sedan racing was evolving from the bash and crash stock cars into hard, fast and spectacular racing. It all began at the willows fairgrounds in 1912 and has continuously flourished, with the exception of the war years 19411945. Sydney showground speedway news newspapers books scholar jstor december 2019 learn. This great mike arthur shot is from his book, old school vol. Westmead speedway was situated at the parramatta showgrounds, the half mile track encircled the main arena, the speedway was run on sunday afternoons. Super modifieds restart by grant woodhams 2014 in the mid 1970s the great era of super modified racing was coming to an end. This page is dedicated to those who competed and were involved with speedway and are no longer with us. Speedway enthusiasts are sure to find this an informative read and even readers who dont know much about this hairraising sport are in for an entertaining treat. I have just completed a 4,700 word story 8 pages of a mini history of midget racing in sydney to celebrate the occasion from the very beginnings in 1935 right through to 2010 covering each decade, the great moments and the not so great and tragic moments in our midget racing. Council is a member of this alliance and plays a key supporting role in providing secretariat and planning services for the group. Over 100 midget action photos from westmead speedway nsw australia in the 1960s all the top guns and cars.
Mothers day tragedy cut short a brilliant racing career daily. Neal was a veteran of speedway solo motorcycle racing as well as circuit racing on four wheels and highly competitive in a midget. Sydney westmead speedway speedwayandroadracehistory. Swindon stadium, also known as the abbey greyhound stadium, is a greyhound board of great britain regulated greyhound racing track and speedway track located in blunsdon, swindon, england. Speedway nsw felt it fitting to celebrate denniss contribution to the sport over. In australia mothers day is celebrated on or around this date each year, it was in 1965. A stockrod at the long closed westmead speedway nsw. Also included throughout the 300 glossy, largeformat pages are covers of many of the track programs from just a few of the thousands of events that have been run and won throughout the last 100. Mothers day tragedy cut short a brilliant racing career. In tony loxleys australian speedway an illustrated history, for the first time in this sports long and rich history australias finest motorsport photographers have provided images of many of the sports leading riders, drivers and passengers who have. Sydney speedway workers say shock demolition for the metro west. This site is dedicated entirely to those fabulous speedway bikes and their riders of the past. The rich history of hot rod and super modified racing through the eyes of some of. Australian speedway an illustrated history signed limited edition.
Though let down by a few proofreading slip ups, its a must for any speedway fan. The project will have eight stops along 24km of rail line. Speedway books for sale in uk 51 used speedway books. The start of the 1960s saw the beginning of the hot rod era with those machines being the forerunner of todays powerful sprintcars. The following article by speedway historian ken brown appeared in the claremont speedway programme of 5th february 1987the americas cup festival of sport inaugural world sprintcar championships. The book has over stunning images and 20 chapters with every season covered in detail using. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Westmead speedway was situated at the parramatta showgrounds, the half mile track encircled the main arena, the speedway was run on sunday afternoons during the winter months. Judd tunis, who built the track on his land, was not a car guy, but was convinced that a dirt track would attract drivers. At sydneys famous winter track westmead, the sedans were known as stock rods. Formed in 1968, they won four british league titles during their history.
If you have a speedway book and would like me to advertise it, send me an email john and i will put an advert for it on this page. An areial view of parramatta show grounds westmead speedway the westmead childrens hospital now stands on the site. The speedway has been open since the 1970s with history dating back to the 1930s. Once we have received payment, we will email you a jpeg file within 48 hours, which will print up to a 8x12 inch photograph. Im glad a few of you remember westmead and windsors stock rods. A compilation of video clips from the speedways history over the years most sections no 500s colour. Reading racers known as the reading bulldogs for 2006 and part of 2007 season are a british motorcycle speedway team. For example, his description of the board tracks of the early 20th century are fascinating. Not only has he produced peter whites speedway world for over 30 years, which by the way covers all forms of two, three, and fourwheel speedway motorsport, he also produces a speedway memories magazine and has published several books, including the aussie legends series. John harvey, andy mcgavin, johnny stewart, jeff freeman etc. A photo dvd of mostly unpublished des lawrence photos has. Racing at westmead with the red 31 ford in front, as it should be.