NEW PROMOTERS AT CASTROL LISMORE SPEEDWAY 

By Dennis Newlyn

The next chapter in the long and illustrious history of Castrol Lismore Speedway commences when incoming promoters Mick and Cindy Corbett take over control on June 30 in the countdown to the start of the 2025-2026 season.

They will replace Kim and Mick Sauer who have promoted the historic Lismore Showground venue for the past three years.

The promotional lease agreement has been signed off by both parties in a smooth, amicable transition under the authority of Lismore Showground controlling organisation, North Coast National A & 1 Society.    

“We are very happy that Mick and Cindy Corbett will be taking the reins of Castrol Lismore Speedway, the Home of Champions, “ Kim Sauer said.

“Our time spent rebuilding Lismore Speedway to its former glory has been a privilege, however it’s now time for us to wave the chequered flag and give the green light to Mick and Cindy.

“We have so many people we owe our success to including all our sponsors, competitors, fans and most importantly our volunteers who have kept us going week in and week out.”

Mick and Kim Sauer took over promoting Castrol Lismore Speedway from long serving track operator David Lander at the commencement of the 2022-23 financial year in what was a very difficult and testing period after the entire Showground venue was wiped out by floods earlier in 2022.

Mick and Cindy Corbett issued the following statement following the successful completion of negotiations:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to take on the promotion of Castrol Lismore Speedway.

“We want to thank current promoters Mick and Kim Sauer for the great effort they have put in over the last three years, successfully turning around the venue and also for all their hard work. We are looking forward to working with all current clubs and divisions, and possibly even some new ones.

The Corbett team are not new to the sometimes very tough job of promoting speedway, having operated the Grafton venue for the past six years. “It will be good to have both venues (Grafton and Lismore) under the one promotional organisation,” Mick added.

The last promoter who controlled the two tracks was Lander who ran Grafton Speedway in the 2009-2013 era. Lander also holds the mantle of Lismore Speedway’s longest serving promoter in the history of the track – which has a speedway heritage that goes back to the ‘thirties – when he moved into the Lismore promoter’s chair at the start of the 2007-2008 season. 

Kim and Mick Sauer are to be highly commended for their unwavering, sterling commitment and strong resolve to deliver a highly entertaining speedway product. Few would realise just how hard they worked behind the scenes – and the hours they put in – to ensure everything was “right on the night.”  Their dedication to the task has been extremely admirable.

Out of that came some significant highlights. “The Chilli Nationals is my favourite event on the calendar and the Adam Brand concert that we held was one of our ambitions that we had on our promoters bucket list. Our fan appreciation days were also a highlight,” Kim explained.

“Mick’s only disappointment is that he really wanted to build the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix into an annual event at our venue with competitors from New Zealand and the USA.”

Mick and Kim will see out the remainder of the season and want to go out on a high note. “We have the best promotional team and we are looking forward to seeing out the season. We will also have a few changes to our calendar for the rest of the season and that will be updated as soon as possible.”

They have other business interests to look after that commands their attention and also cited increasing family commitments as a reason to end their tenure as promoters of Castrol Lismore Speedway.

Photo (1): Mick and Kim Sauer, pictured with sons Rusty and Ambrose, will end their three year tenure as Castrol Lismore Speedway promoters at the completion of the 2024-2025 season. Photo by Tony Powell.

Photo (2): Incoming promoters of Castrol Lismore Speedway, Mick and Cindy Corbett, officially take over the venue on June 30, 2025.