Speedway in Australia: A history
Speedway has a long and strong history in Australia. So much so, that we don’t even know it’s exact beginnings. Details are constantly emerging of the formative years of the birth of four wheeled Speedway racing in Australia. Here’s a brief, chronological history from the earliest information we can gather:
The 1900's
Dirt track and asphalt motor racing on small, circular tracks, can be traced back to the 1900s in Australia. The earliest records point to Melbourne’s Aspendale Speedway as the first purpose built motorsport venue – built in 1906 inside the existing Aspendale Racecourse.
The 1920's
It was during the 1920’s that the sport of speedway really became popular; with tracks such as the Sydney Showground and West Maitland in NSW, Wayville Showground in SA, Claremont Showground in WA, Kardinia Park and Melbourne Exhibition in VIC and the Brisbane Exhibition in QLD opening.
The 1930's
The first official Speedcar, or ‘Midget Car’ event held in Australia was staged at Melbourne’s Olympic Park on December 15, 1934. It took place under the rules and regulations of the Midget Car Drivers Association, whose name was later changed to the Victorian Speedcar Drivers’ Association. The Victorian Speedcar Championship was inaugurated in April 1935 and still stands as the second oldest Speedcar race in the world; behind the American Thanksgiving Grand Prix held in November 1934.
The Victorian club also organised the first Australian championship. The official national title is difficult to trace however, as each rival track and sanctioning body held their own title in each state. This continued even after a national body was formed.
The 1950 and '60's
Speedway was revitalised with the introduction of Crash and Bash Stock Car racing in the mid 1950’s. The first meeting at the Sydney Showground drew an estimated crowd of 40,000 spectators. Lightweight Stock Rod/Hot Rod/Sportsman/Super Modified/Modified racing began in the early 1960’s and later evolved into Sprintcar racing, while the heavier version developed into V8 Dirt Modifieds.
Meanwhile the Mighty Midgets enjoyed a golden era during the 60’s that is still revered today. In December 1964, the Sun newspaper wrote that speedway racing was the second most watched summer spectator sport behind first-class horse racing; easily out doing cricket, tennis, athletics, trotting and greyhound racing.
(Photo: Bill Meyer)
The 1970's and 80's
Sedans took over as the number one category in Australia during the 1970’s; racing on dirt and paved tracks. Sprintcars developed towards the end of the decade and really flourished in the 1980’s – so much so that a national series was organised to showcase the division. Branded the Australian Sprintcar Championship Series (ASC Series) and eventually World Series Sprintcars.
The 70’s also witnessed TQ’s (small versions of Speedcars) morph into a number of classes. These classes became Three Quarter Midgets, Micro Midgets/Sprints, Junior/Compact Speedcars, Grand Prix Midgets, Mini Sprints, V6 Sprints, Litre Cars and Formula 500’s. Along the journey many sedan categories developed, however only five are controlled by the Australian Saloon Car Federation (Speedway Sedans Australia); Super Sedans, Modified Production Sedans, Production Sedans, Street Stocks and Junior Sedans.
(Photo: Allan Butcher leading the pack at Grafton – Photographer unknown)
The 1990's
Traditionally, speedway’s administration has been fragmented across various sanctioning and category groups, but that changed in 1997 when the Federation of Australian Speedway (FAS) and World Series Sprintcars united to form NASR. NASR worked hard to develop unified standards in safety, training, presentation and performance. They also worked to improve the profile and standardise and develop management skills at all levels. (
(Photo: Nine time World Series Sprintcars Champion, Brooke Tatnell was a dominant force in sprintcar racing across three decades . – Phil Jordison)
The modern era
In 2006 NASR was ratified by the FIA, through CAMS, as the internationally recognised controlling body of speedway racing in Australia; becoming the first speedway body anywhere to achieve FIA Delegation of Authority.
In May 2011, the National Association of Speedway Racing rebranded to become Speedway Australia, reflecting a series of organisational changes and resource improvements.
The FIA delegation was renewed in 2022 and continues to provide a platform for an excellent relationship with Motorsport Australia and respective authorites of other motorsport disciplines in the nation under the Australian Motorsport Council.
Today speedway racing offers a cosmopolitan smorgasbord of racing to wet the appetite of any motorsport enthusiasts or to provide Australia’s best family night out!
(Photo: The Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic is one of the largest speedway events in Australia, with tens of thousands of fans lining “Mt. Max” at Premier Speedway, Warrnambool. – Skene Media)