Speedway Show Day
2019 Celebration of Speedway Motorcycles • 9 September 2019 – Brisbane, Qld.
September 9 saw the Annual Celebration of Speedway Motorcycles in Brisbane. This year’s event moved to the front yard of the Vintage Speedcar Association of Qld Clubhouse. Once again passionate speedway tragics Darren Sonnenberg and Tony Webb put together the event. While it is primarily in acknowledgement of the achievements of Jack White and Nigel Boocock, it was an event to celebrate all speedway motorcyclists. While the excessive winds were fanning fires in regional Queensland, they also presented a challenge on the day. Darren Sonnenberg’s extensive collection of framed and laminated speedway photos along an over 6 foot border fence were buffeted but luckily none were dislodged.
Chequered flags adorned each fence post which I christened the ‘Speedway Fence of Fame’. I noticed also that Darren included an area devoted to several lady champions.
A collection of motorcycles was lined up and complimented by two Speedcars and a typical road car of the 50’s, an FJ Holden. Past riders took the opportunity to catch-up and re-live stories of their past careers. We were blessed with the appearance of Phil Crump and John Titman who were finalists in the World Championship. 93-year-old Alan Carelton was also there. He and his late brother were the first Aussie Sidecar Team to go to England in 1952. Many continue the passion by collecting and restoring old speedway bikes which they thankfully brought along to show. Most were raced by former champions and some included significant innovations by local engineers. Grahame Gardiner had a Street SR4 (4 valve head version of a JAWA and a Clarrie Miers’ Meirson modified JAP special on display. While both were developed in Qld, the Street 4 valve was successful enough to be adopted throughout the world. Grahame also had a rare JAP 4 valve engine which was produced in the 70’s for a short time. This was the engine the company wanted to build before it folded many years previous. The JAP name and patents were held by one of the company executives who drove the project. Unfortunately, he passed away after the first batch was built and the project faded away. Grahame told me that he believes there are only 10 in Australia.
There were smiles all round when two of the bikes were fired up. The smell of methanol was the icing on the cake for the complete nostalgic experience. The first bike started was the ex-Dave Parker Jap owned by Margaret Odgaard. Margaret has been at the Speedway since the age of three. She married the late speedway rider Ron Odgaard and this bike is normally on display at home in her Speedway-inspired bar. Next to fire up was Larry Dutton’s Godden. This bike was raced by his two sons (Grant and Troy) at Chandler Speedway in the
90’s. It had been sitting a while and restoration proved challenging as the Castrol R had been left in, gumming every moving part solid. So serious is Larry’s passion, he also had on display a Jawa inspired bush bike which he’d built. A further thanks to Darren and Tony and the VSAQ and many exhibitors and helpers on the day. A special shout out to Mike Bennet of Logan radio (101) who gave the event a good wrap the next day. An early date around the third Sunday in August 2020 is being organised so put it in your diary for next year.