TRACK’S LONG ROAD
WHAT followed was two years of good old Aussie hard yakka, cleaning up the grounds with the help of a few mates to restore it to a place both domestic and international competitors could be proud of.
Rod’s vision was a simple one: to create a speedway venue that would serve not only local riders but be a home to the speedway family from across the country.
It was also seen as somewhere for the Burdekin public to have as their own.
And while the couple never intended to keep the venue or promote race meetings there, their vision has come at a cost, with the venue recently selling to Gold Coast speedway enthusiasts for a loss well into six figures.
But the sale signals fresh hope for the track’s development, with the new owners well placed to make even more significant improvements.
“We spent an absolute fortune on the complex. I’ve probably torn up somewhere around $180,000 in selling it and three and a half years of my life but it wasn’t about the money, it never was,” Rod said.
“It was about giving something to the community that we lost and righting a wrong, so I’m not heartbroken about losing that much money at all – it’s my gift to the community and to the sport.
“My wife and I had a conversation that the speedway was not for sale to just anybody at all. We did have other offers and it wouldn’t matter if those offers were a million dollars. I lost a lot of money to sell that speedway but I chose who I gave that speedway to.”
While the sale will be tinged with sadness, Rod is pleased he’s found the right owners with plans to further the venue and restore it to Australia’s best speedway complex. With plans for more space on the famous grass hill, clubrooms overlooking the track, bridges over the pits and a burnout pad to hold the country’s biggest competitions, the future is bright.
Rod is certain that if the owners complete half the upgrades they’re promising, the track will be returned fully to its former glory. In its current state the track can host every speedway event, including sprint cars.
One thing will always remain – Rod’s passion for not only speedway but Pioneer Park itself.
“I may buy a motorbike and have another ride again, but I’ll be involved, I’ll always be involved,” he said.
“I’ll be in the pits or in the t o w e r commentating … it’s not something I’ll walk away from. I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved just in a f e w years.”