50 Years Lismore Speedway

WE PROUDLY HONOUR 50 YEARS OF LISMORE SPEEDWAY

BY DAVID LANDER

Welcome to the pages of the Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway Golden Anniversary magazine.

I hope you enjoy reading this publication as I am only too well aware of the amount of hours that have gone into its production.

It’s incredible to think what the Lismore Speedway venue has achieved over the five decades of continuous racing.

I am very pleased to be the promoter of the Lismore circuit not only because of its wonderful history, but also the fact that the Lismore Showground is now one of the longest running speedway tracks in Australia.

The Golden Jubilee 2018-2019 season is a very special occasion for us, especially also for those people who were there when it all started and have seen the track’s progress over the half century.

Former drivers like Bob Worling, Max Maher, Nev Pezzutti, Steve Robinson, Paul O’Neill, Col and Wayne Randall, John Leslight and so many others know just what this milestone in Australian speedway history really means.

When I came to Lismore in 2007 I already knew I was walking into one of the most historic venues in the country. But since I have been here, I have learnt so much – and heard so many wonderful stories – that provide incredible and very significant history that few tracks can boast.

It’s even more special because one tends to think it’s only the capital city tracks, with their old-style Showground surrounds that have built a time tunnel going back decades, which are acclaimed in speedway folklore and take a special place in the annals of our sport.

Not totally correct.

When it comes to a Showground setting for racing, Lismore Speedway also is a member of that select club – and stands even taller, because the inner city capital city Showground tracks no longer operate, victims of an ever changing environment and community standards.

The legendary Sydney Showground, Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Rowley Park Speedway, Adelaide, Melbourne’s Tracey Speedway and Perth’s Claremont Showground Speedway are icons. But all have long since disappeared and these venues in some cases have a history that traces back to almost the very beginning of dirt track oval track racing as we know it today.

There is something very special about a Showground speedway track. The historic pavilions, exhibition halls and cattle stables are what makes these tracks so unique – and in the case of Lismore Speedway, it’s also picturesque.

Most of these Showground tracks throughout Australia wreak of history and Lismore is no exception.

With time comes history, heritage brings with it a badge of honour. That best describes Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway and the mantle it possesses in the sport today: history, heritage, honour.

Lismore Speedway is still going strong for so many reasons.

The track serves the community well and our big shows bring into the city of Lismore the tourist dollar. That is important for all parties.

Then we have such great fans whose loyalty and support to this track is incredible. They love their speedway – and love Lismore Speedway!

Many have been on the terraces since opening night and cannot get enough of the action. They are some of the most dedicated speedway fans in Australia.

We must not ignore the competitors and this is where Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway takes a very special place in our sport in this country and stands proud!

It’s written in this magazine the great names who have put Lismore Speedway not only on the map, but have given the circuit national title honours so many times in a variety of different categories.

I would go so far as to say there is not another track in Australia that boasts SEVENTEEN Australian Champions in 50 years of operation.

That is a mighty proud record we hold – and probably will never be equalled, let alone beaten!

Then we have the Lismore Automobile Club. In this magazine there is a special feature article on the LAC and you can see what they have achieved in their years of operation. The LAC is very unique in the framework of Australian speedway. Yes, many tracks have their own club, but very few were operating even before their local track opened. The LAC was registered back in the early ‘sixties and the LAC was there with its strong band of competitors on opening night, November 22, 1969.

Since I have been promoter here, I have fully realised just what that history stands for and means.

The people here in Lismore are justifiably proud of their speedway. They have every reason to be proud. It’s all these reasons why Lismore Speedway walks tall. A wonderful place . . . a very proud place.

I am very proud, too, to be your promoter of such a famous venue.

Fans who have attended Lismore Speedway over the fifty years have seen some of the best competitors in the world race here. Bike riders, car drivers, they all have raced on the testing circle bull ring cauldron.

The track is nowhere near the size of almost all of the American circuits and you would tend to believe the visiting Yanks would be sceptical of racing on such a small circuit with its tight confines. But they loved it and we have seen so many examples in past decades the magnificent contribution Americans have made to Lismore Speedway history.

As you will see reading through this magazine, some of the greatest moments at this track have involved Americans. This place has a unique way of creating its own white hot atmosphere on the big nights, especially when the Yanks are in town.

I guess if you tried to list all the nations represented by the long and illustrious line-up of international competitors who have raced here it would be difficult. I’m not sure of the exact number, but I do know there are many countries.

Just the bikes alone provide an incredible mix: Those nations represented include Czechoslovakia (nation of the incredibly successful Jawa engine), Ukraine, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, England, Norway, America.

One of the greats in his era, namely American rider Bruce Penhall, who won the World Speedway Championship at Wembley in 1981 and in Los Angeles (in a very controversial world title) in 1982 has raced here. So, too, the daredevil sidecar boys who brought their own spectacular, exciting, cut-throat racing to Lismore.

New Zealand drivers – particularly in Speedcars – have exhibited their winning brand at the circuit.

There have been a number of promoters at the Lismore Speedway who have kept the gates open year in, year out, decade-after-decade-after decade.

I remember the first promoter, Dutton Stibbard, as a tough Super Modified competitor who I raced against during my own career. His sleek, white Super Modified was one of the most competitive cars on the national scene at that time.

Simply, the baton has been handed onto me in the chain of command and it’s wonderful to be involved with this circuit.

Since the commencement of work on this magazine, our research has revealed that speedway racing was tried here even before the opening night of November 22, 1969 leading to our fifty continuous years.

It was in the ‘fifties and it was bikes and Speedcars that provided the racing entertainment.

Mind you, the track was nothing like it is today. The fence was very ordinary to say the least and safety standards were nothing like the modern era and the stipulations that have been put in place to allow current racing.

The original speedway attempt at the Lismore Showground was very short-lived and it became a distant memory in the following years.

So when a loyal band of Lismore Automobile Club members travelled to Kingaroy Speedway to check out the track operation, with Lismore in mind, it represented the commencement of what we acknowledge today as the Golden Jubilee of the circuit.

Producing this magazine has been a lot of hard work by those involved, but it has been worth it.

I felt it was necessary to have a publication as a genuine collector’s item for the 50 years of the sport in Lismore.

I want to thank the companies that have taken advertising space in the magazine. These people are very devoted to the venue and have literally put their money where their mouth is and it’s very much appreciated.

Also to my people who have worked on the project. Ann Clarke has followed up a number of leads as possible stories for the magazine and she has chased relentlessly in her bid to secure material from the opening night. Also to our Graphic Designer Bill Roberts.

He has played a vital role in the production of this magazine.  He’s the man who has put it all together and I sincerely thank him for his sterling, wonderful efforts.

Our track photographer Tony Powell did a great job searching through his negatives going right back in time to find that very special picture to suit a particular article. A great effort.

Also the same can be said for long time speedway journalist Dennis Newlyn. This man is a prolific writer with an incredible appetite when it comes to churning out words for articles and his contribution has been significant. I want to also mention Warren King, who has also written some very timely and interesting stories, and Andrew Pezzutti for their in-depth articles.

Also to the fans who have again showed their wonderful loyalty by offering photos, information,  and some emails have been wonderful to read as many of our followers related their own stories of what Lismore Speedway has meant – and still does mean – to them.

This magazine has been a genuine team effort.

I hope you enjoy the 50 year Golden Jubilee Anniversary Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway magazine.

DAVID LANDER,

PROMOTER,

CASTROL EDGE LISMORE SPEEDWAY.