A Maroubra Speedway Scrapbook

308 pages soft cover ISBN: 978-0-9757212-9-2 Bol d’Or Publishing Available from Automoto Books (02) 9231 6713 Pitstop Books (www.pitstop.net.au) and the author 240 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780 (02) 4784 3868 Price: Standard edition – $80.00. Leather-bound limited edition (50 only, price on request). Author Bill Boldiston has ten previous books to his name, all on historical themes, but says that with his 90th birthday approaching, this will be his last. It’s a huge tome, in both size and content, and a credit to Bill and a small team of helpers that includes Brian Greenfield who contributed the motorcycle details. We briefly told the story of the infamous concrete bowl in issue 67, but that barely scratched the surface of this track’s shortlived but controversial existence. While largely concentrating on the car side of the sport, this book does cover in detail the incredible machinations behind the commercial side of the venture, which at the time, was an enormous undertaking. What followed the circuit’s opening were scandals, fatalities, political chicanery and more, plus of course, racing. As well as the facts and figures and detailed description of the events year by year, this book is profusely illustrated with photographs from the era, posters, programmes and other memorabilia. It is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in Sydney’s chequered history of motor sport.