RON MACKAY, 74, DIES SUDDENLY

Australian Speedway was shocked and deeply saddened to learn two times Australian Speedcar Champion Ron Mackay, 74, had died.

News of his sudden passing at his Queensland Gold Coast home spread across the nation on Wednesday, August 21.

Attempts were made to revive him for over 30 minutes after he was found unresponsive on the floor.

At this writing, cause of death remains unknown.

He is recognised as one of the greats of Australian Speedcar racing, a Hall of Famer – two times national champion and multi state titleholder with over 80 career feature race wins.

His career started at Sydney’s winter Liverpool Speedway in 1968 and his first title win was that year’s NSW B Grade Speedcar Championship.

He won the first of his two Australian titles in 1971 at the Sydney Showground and retained the national championship at Perth’s Claremont Speedway the following season.

He took out the 1974 Australasian Speedcar Championship, he also won the 1972 World Speedcar Championship at the Sydney Showground and was 1974 Australasian Speedcar Champion, won in New Zealand. He is also two times NSW Champion, a Queensland, Victorian, and South Australian titleholder.

A week ago he returned home from a lengthy holiday in Malaysia.

Funeral details are yet to be announced.