VALE: ED WILBUR

BY DENNIS NEWLYN

Big Ed Wilbur from California was loud, colourful and super showman extraordinaire.

His recent passing, aged in his 80s, is very sad to all Australian fans who witnessed his on-track and off-track antics. 

He made many long lasting friendships here – some of those still communicated with him right to the end of his life.

He knew what promotion was all about and he knew how to stir up the Australian fans – especially at Sydney’s Liverpool City Raceway when the Yanks took on the Aussies in sedan Test match competition.

It was part speedway, part entertainment, massive part theatre and Big Ed was the orchestra leader. 

He was the all American band leader who struck the right note and a chord that had fans wanting more to cheer and jeer. 

It was straight out of Vaudeville. 

Perhaps the American racing personality the Aussie fans loved to hate, but no doubt he made the American Sedan Teams a box office smash – again especially at Liverpool with capacity crowds. He delivered show business mixed with speedway racing the Ed Wilbur way.

He was at first a member of the American Grand National Sedan Test team, skippered by Gene Welch and then, in later years, Big Ed took over team leadership and these were his great years during the eighties, not only at Liverpool but around Australia whenever and wherever his Test side raced.

He was the ultimate ring master who was so good at what he did.

He visited Australia throughout the 80s and was one of the best American imports who raced in Australia when it came to the complete promotional package.

Away from the brashness of the pre-race hysteria and racing combat against the Aussie teams, he was just a typical all round, good knockabout bloke who certainly loved a good time.

He enjoyed coming to Australia.

All the more reason why we are all so sad after learning of his passing this week.

Here is a man who will long live in the memories of so many in Australia.

RIP: BIG ED WILBUR.

Caption: Big Ed Wilbur pictured at Lismore Speedway (NSW).