JANUARY 12, 2025: A MILESTONE IN AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY HISTORY

Feature photo by the late David Cumming…AJ Foyt at Sydney’s Liverpool Speedway in 1975.

By Dennis Newlyn.

FIFTY YEARS AGO, Sunday, January 12, 1975, history was made at Sydney’s iconic Liverpool Speedway when the legendary Anthony Joseph (AJ) Foyt won the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix.

By the calendar, it’s also the exact day (a Sunday night fixture at Liverpool).

Driving the Gilmore VW, prepared by Mel Kenyon, it was an American 1-4 domination. Kenyon, Larry Rice and Garry Patterson followed Foyt to the chequered flag.

The Sydney and national media coverage was massive in the countdown to Foyt’s appearance with a press conference held on his arrival at Sydney Airport. Foyt’s entourage included Indy sponsors, close friends Jim and Di Gilmore.

Foyt was accompanied by wife Lucy and Kenyon arrived with his mechanic Billy Gene Thomas.

It was a frantic24 hour schedule. Liverpool Manager Mike Raymond and track owner Frank Oliveri worked closely with Auckland’s Western Springs Speedway promoter George Tervit to ensure the whistle stop visit (that also included priority customs clearance for the importation of the cars) went off without a hitch.

Foyt returned the following year and retained the AGP at Liverpool.

Fifty years on, today we remember this incredible milestone for the sport.

It’s interesting to note the following Saturday night, the Liverpool emphasis switched to bikes and the first season appearance of the Solo Test team from Poland.