Bendigo: VIC.
1971 - GOLDEN CITY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.
The Bendigo region was in need of a major Speedway complex, only smaller tracks had been in operation prior, Ez Hakin was a Melbourne promotor that managed to secure a lease with the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society for the use of the local Showgrounds, so in 1971 the Golden City International Raceway opened.
The venue was a 1/2 mile circuit with all the facilities required, such as Central location to Bendigo, toilets, pit areas, marvellous spectator areas including drive up areas were you could watch the racing from your car, the added atraction to this speedway was the fact it was under lights.
1973 - BENDIGO INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY.
April 1973 and the promotion was taken over by the four Clarke brothers, Gerard, Brian, Pat and Terry, who ran the track successfully for several years changing the name to Bendigo International Raceway, all the time the venue still under the control of the Golden City Speedway Drivers Club under the Presidency of Peter Sheehan.
The Clarke brothers continued to promote speedway in Bendigo on a regular basis until 1990 when they decided due to mounting business pressures to accept the offer of a take-over, However, the Clarke brothers departure was breif and they were back in control again for the running of the Indianapolis Stakes of 1981.
The "Indy Stakes" was one of the big success stories of the Clarke brothers, offering prizes rarely equalled at the time.
(Editorial Ray Read)
1977 - VICTORIAN LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP.
Aussie Speedway Memories facebook photo feature
1977 - Heather Aurich - June Aurich & Pat Payne after the running of the championship Photo Jamie Payne collection.
1977 - HEATHER AURICH.
West Coast Speedway News facebook photo feature
1977 - Heather Aurich winner of the 1977 Australian Womens Saloon Car Championship. Photo: Bill Elvey collection.
1978 - BENDIGO INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. Australian Flat Track Championship. 26th December plus 30th & 31st December 1978.Dave Adams and Blondie Sheppard are National Champion's.Speedway News Reported.The National Flat Track Championship's were successfully staged at Bendigo over the holiday break. South Australian's Dave Adams and Blondie Sheppard wrestled the senior title from Victorians Ray Angier and Peter Marriage. Rob Geard finished ahead of New South Wales outfit rider, Paul Mahoney.
Speedway Regular, Clarrie Jones and passenger Steve Benson won the Junior title from Dave Baker and Pat O'Neil.
|
|
1978 - BENDIGO INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY. Australian Flat Track Championship. 30th & 31st December 1978.
Just 1 week later and the Bendigo venue is open again, presenting the balance of the Australia Flat Track Championship. The Victorian rider Danny Kennedy topped Mitch Shirra in the unlimited Solo section. South Australian, Robert Maxwell finished third. Local Bendigo rider, Daryl Hall took out the 125 section. while John Hazeldean won the B grade title. The 350 Title was captured by Rod Hunter.
Vintage Speedway Programmes Australia facebook feature
[use controls to pause - forward or reverse 27 images]
[Brad Mitchell collection]
1981 - EAST COAST SPEEDWAY MONTHLY. Reported.
|
|
1981 - Left to Right: Brian Clarke promoter - Ross Prictor - Les Feltham - Kevin Parkinson - Tony Nicholas.
1982 - EAST COAST SPEEDWAY MONTHLY. Reported.
July 1982
1980's - BENDIGO SPEEDWAY CLOSES.
Eventually social pressure and up-grade requirements from the local council forced the closure of what was one of Victoria's premium night speedway venues around the mid 1980's.
1990 - AUSTRALIAN CLASSIC & VINTAGE SPEEDWAY SPECTACULAR.
1993 - BENDIGO INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY. AUSTRALIAN SPEEDCAR CHAMPIONSHIP. Super Sedan's, Hot Rod Thunder Down Under, Vintage Speedcar Demonstration. 5th and 6th February 1993.WARREN EKINS isNational Speedcar Champion
Warren Ekins would without a doubt be the Territories top Speedcar driver and would after tonights display, be the best in Australia.
Warren in convincing style has led home the West Australia driver Mike Figliomeni in second, another West Australian in Neville Lance for third, then the Victorian racer, Ray Bishop taking fourth, fifth from West Australia Keith Giles and rounding out the top six was Mark Reuter from South Australia.
|
|