BUNBURY (WA)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
previous year www.speedwayandroadracehistory.com/bunbury-blicks-raceway-1971.html
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1972 - BUNBURY SPEEDWAY CONSTRUCTION
With the closure of blicks raceway the Bunbury Car Club found itself without a racetrack,after considering many sites it was decided the new Bunbury speedway would be built at its present site on the North Boyanup Road.
Twenty two acres of swamp land was cleared and filled to obtain the five hundred and ten metre arena with banked spectator stands, permanent brick buildings including canteen's toilets, and admission boxes.
The initial plans were to build a day time speedway to service the local members and to host inter club racing. however its was soon a reality that with the leadership of President John Hudson and Bunbury's enaugral promoter Tom Dillon that this venue was going to rival any speedway in Australia.
In March of nineteen seventy two the lease was signed with the Bunbury Town Council and the clearing started, by May of ninteen seventy two Colin Resta and George Lane moved in the earth moving equipment from mainly Piacentini's,Catalano's,VB Nani's,Max Shepherd and Roman Kozerski, many other contractors made there equipment available, these machines were mainly operated by employees of the company's that volunteered many hours of work to the project, Those included Frank McCaul who worked for Alec Eller a cartage contractor in Bunbury, The initial plans were drawn up in the kitchen of George lane on a piece of three ply and shortley after George and Colin Resta marked out the track using a length of rope on a stick in the infield to make sure that both corners were identical.
The timber track fence and lighting was installed by many volunteers, the pit gates and latch systems that were built by Dan Kalpakoff was fitted.
Extensive lighting was erected throughout the spectator area,pits,carparks and around the race track, all twenty two acres was utilised with a large pit area and masive car parks,in the early years competitor numbers were so great that some racecars had to be pitted in the public parking area, also the public had to angle park both sides of the North Boyanup Road back to the airport and south past Lilydale Road, Centenary Road was also full, the machinary used was very modern for its time but would have been hard work on todays standard's,all these machines and operators would have to do their days work for the boss and then head of to the swamp to build a speedway.
Twenty two acres of swamp land was cleared and filled to obtain the five hundred and ten metre arena with banked spectator stands, permanent brick buildings including canteen's toilets, and admission boxes.
The initial plans were to build a day time speedway to service the local members and to host inter club racing. however its was soon a reality that with the leadership of President John Hudson and Bunbury's enaugral promoter Tom Dillon that this venue was going to rival any speedway in Australia.
In March of nineteen seventy two the lease was signed with the Bunbury Town Council and the clearing started, by May of ninteen seventy two Colin Resta and George Lane moved in the earth moving equipment from mainly Piacentini's,Catalano's,VB Nani's,Max Shepherd and Roman Kozerski, many other contractors made there equipment available, these machines were mainly operated by employees of the company's that volunteered many hours of work to the project, Those included Frank McCaul who worked for Alec Eller a cartage contractor in Bunbury, The initial plans were drawn up in the kitchen of George lane on a piece of three ply and shortley after George and Colin Resta marked out the track using a length of rope on a stick in the infield to make sure that both corners were identical.
The timber track fence and lighting was installed by many volunteers, the pit gates and latch systems that were built by Dan Kalpakoff was fitted.
Extensive lighting was erected throughout the spectator area,pits,carparks and around the race track, all twenty two acres was utilised with a large pit area and masive car parks,in the early years competitor numbers were so great that some racecars had to be pitted in the public parking area, also the public had to angle park both sides of the North Boyanup Road back to the airport and south past Lilydale Road, Centenary Road was also full, the machinary used was very modern for its time but would have been hard work on todays standard's,all these machines and operators would have to do their days work for the boss and then head of to the swamp to build a speedway.
1972 - BUNBURY SPEEDWAY CONSTRUCTION SLIDESHOW
(use controls to pause - forward or reverse 74 images)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Hi fellow Speedway nutter's please let us know if you or any of your friends or family members were a part of the construction of Bunbury Speedway way back in 1972, so we can update the list. cheers.
email: brianmoyle@live.com.au
Bunbury Car Club Speedway Construction Volunteer's
Baker VernBarr BillBickerton LloydBurke IvanCatalano BillCatalano JoeDillon TomDorsett NormFowler StanGardiner BradNannette HardingHarding RobertHilliger JohnHillman BrianHillman CliffHillman IanHills HaroldHudson JohnHudson SydKalpakoff DanKelderman Peter |
General ConstructionGeneral ConstructionGuarantorGeneral ConstructionEarthworksEarthworksSpeedway Manager & VisionaryGuarantorGuarantorElectrical ConstructionCateringGeneral ConstructionGeneral Construction & PhotographerGeneral ConstructionGeneral ConstructionGeneral ConstructionFencing ContractorBunbury Car Club PresidentGuarantorTrack Gates ConstructionVenue Fencing |
Kennedy BrianKozyrski RomanLane GeorgeLane Garnet SnrLee BrianLydiate BillMalatesta FrankManea Ernie DrManolas RossMcKenzie DickNani VinceNulsen GeorgePiacentini AlbertResta ColinStone RalphTripplet MerrickWallace TerryWheat Graeme |
General ConstructionGuarantorPlanning and EarthworksGeneral ConstructionGeneral ConstructionGeneral ConstructionGauarantorGuarantorGuarantorGuarantorGuarantorGuarantorEarthworksPlanning and EarthworksGuarantorGeneral ConstructionGuarantorGeneral Construction |
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Bunbury City Speedway: Mission Statement
To foster strong family value's within the youth of our chosen sport of Speedway Racing, To provide a safe venue and enviroment for our youth to skillfully learn the art of Driving Cars and Riding Bikes.
To provide program's within the club to attract people of all age groups, from toddlers through to retire's.
To conduct race meetings from Club based events Through to World Class International events
To work alongside other local community charity groups to assist them in there fund raising efforts.
To work with Local and State Government directly to promote the South West Region and the state of Western Australia as a Motorsport tourist destination.
To work with the West Australian Speedway Commission and the Department of Sport and Recreation to embrace the Governance required to run the venue in the safest manner possible.
To make the venue available to the Department of Corrections for there prisoner day release teams to work around the venue, thus building there skill levels for when they are released.
To give Business Australia Wide the platform to promote there products and services to the wider community by way of our media network.
To Research, Gather, and make the History of the club available to our Members, Local and State Government departments as well as media outlets to promote motorsport activities within Bunbury.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
BUNBURY CAR CLUB COMMITTEE
1955 > 19561955 > 19561955 > 1956 |
PresidentSecretaryTreasurer |
Jack Gardiner?? |
*** |
1956 > 19571956 > 19571956 > 1957 |
PresidentSecretaryTreasurer |
JA (Pop) Hudson?? |
Jack Gardiner** |
1957 > 19581957 > 19581957 > 19581958 > 19591959 > 19601960 > 19611961 > 19621962 > 19631963 > 19641964 > 19651965 > 19661966 > 19671967 > 19681968 > 19691969 > 19701970 > 19711971 > 19721972 > 19731972 > 19731972 > 19731972 > 19731972 > 19731972 > 19731972 > 19731973 > 19741974 > 19751975 > 19761975 > 19761975 > 19761975 > 19761975 > 19761975 > 19761975 > 19761976 > 19771977 > 19781978 > 19791979 > 19801980 > 19811981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821981 > 19821982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831982 > 19831983 > 19841984 > 19851985 > 19861986 > 19871987 > 19881988 > 19891989 > 19901990 > 19911991 > 19921992 > 19931993 > 19941994 > 19951995 > 19961996 > 19971997 > 19981998 > 19991999 > 20002000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012000 > 20012001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022001 > 20022002 > 20032003 > 20042004 > 20052005 > 20062006 > 20072007 > 20082008 > 20092009 > 20102010 > 20112011 > 20122012 > 20132013 > 20142014 > 20152015 > 20162016 > 20172017 > 2018 |
PresidentSecretaryTreasurerPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentSecretaryTreasurerSocial DirectorTrophy OfficerPublic RelationsManagerPresidentPresidentPresidentVice PresidenSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice PatronPresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice PatronPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Menber2nd MemberPatronVice PatronPresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice PatronPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresidentPresident |
Jack GardinerJA (Pop) HudsonJohn CyckleVern KarlsenJim WilsonJim WilsonJim WilsonJim WilsonJim WilsonBill BruceBrian KennedyJohn HudsonJohn HudsonGeorge LaneLaurie KerrisonSteve AlmondSteve AlmondSteve AlmondHarold ThomasHarry TurnorBrian KennedyMorris JohnsonLloyd BickertonTom DillonMerrick TriplettMerrick TriplettHarold ThomasDarrel ThomsonMerrick TriplettBarry Dillon? Poss Manager. Allan BlakeChris BilsbyIan HillmanIan HillmanGeorge HarperGeorge HarperBrian LeeBrian LeeBrian Lee?Nola Whitehead??????Brian LeeDarryl ThomsonNola WhiteheadJean LeeGraham BrownAllan BlakeMax Dunstan**Brian LeeBrian LeeJohn WilliamsGrahame HeronJohn KennettIvan BurkeTerry WoodBill GiffordTerry WoodTerry WoodAllan BlakeAllan BlakeAllan BlakeAllan BlakeAllan BlakePhil RosePhil RoseBrian MoyleKim BeardMargaret PadmoreNeil CramMax DunstonTony RutherfordKim WilliamsTerry HudsonGraham WheatBrian MoyleKim BeardMargaret PadmoreNeil Cram???Terry HudsonGraham WheatD WhiteD WhitePeter NewmanPhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil RosePhil Rose |
*****************John Hudson****************************************Ivan BurkeBrian LeeMike JefferyBrian Moyle***Brian Moyle*********Mel BussonBrian Lee******Kim Beard*********Peter Newman***********
*
** |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018 > 2019 |
PresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice Patron |
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019 > 2020 |
PresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice Patron |
Barry HunterPhil RoseBron KeownLeeanne EvansMorgan MelvinJohn Mac?Ron KrikkeJohn Krikke |
Phil Rose******** |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2020 > 2021 |
PresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice Patron |
Kade HelmsPhil RoseBron KeownLeeanne EvansMorgan MelvinJeff RodgersKim BeardBrian LeeBrian Moyle |
*****Cody Briggs*** |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2021 > 2022 |
PresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice Patron |
Kade HelmsKim BeardBron KeownLeeanne Gardiner ne EvansMorgan MelvinKyle BeardCody BriggsBrian LeeBrian Moyle |
******Colin Metcalfe** |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 > 2023 |
PresidentVice PresidentSecretaryTreasurerRace Organiser1st Member2nd MemberPatronVice Patron |
Kade HelmsKim BeardRose NovelLeeanne GardinerLara FranceKyle BeardColin MetcalfeBrian LeeBrian Moyle |
Kim BeardBrian Lee"*Brian Moyle**** |
*********************************************************************************************************************************
BUNBURY CAR CLUB LIFE MEMBERS
|
Bill BruceCliff HillmanClaude LindsayIan HillmanBrian LeeJean LeeNoleen WheatMax DunstanLeeanne EvansBrian MoyleColin Piacentini |
*********************************************************************************************************************************
POP HUDSON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1966 - SYD HUDSON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
Syd Hudson is presented with life membership to the Bunbury Car Club from Brian Kennedy while Syd's wife Edna joins him. Photo: Brian Moyle collection.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
BILL BRUCE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
JIM WILSON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
1960's - Jim Wilson flat out at the opening meeting at Blunders back before they added roll bars. Photo: Brian Moyle.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1968 > 1971 - COLIN RESTA (Life Member Bunbury Car Club)
Roo Dog as we know him first raced at Paddys Blunders in the sixtee's in a 1939 Ford V8 ute, he was actively involved in the construction of Blicks Raceway were he raced a 1948 Vangaurd hot rod with a mid mounted Ford V8 engine and also a supermodified.
Colin in the number 4 blue Vangaurd became an icon for hot rod racing at many southwest tracks during the late sixtee's, with the opening of the new Collie track and Bunbury Speedway Colin built a new supermodified that was V8 powered.
In 1975 1976 Colin purchased his new Supermodified and began to match it with the Claremont super stars of the day at Bunbury, with the Ford 302 fuel injected Winsor Colin would take on the likes of Martin Laughton, Ray Geneve and Alf Barbagallo.
As a member of the Bunbury Car Club colin has been envolved in many roles within the club, Colins life time devotion to his job at Piacentini's has enabled him to use the equipment available at the massive earthmoving company for the benefit of the club.
On many occasions Colin has had to step from the grader into his race car and compete, Colin was awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club in ??????
The year is 2012 and Colin Resta is still maintaining and improving the Bunbury venue along with Murray Hanson and Colin Francis.
Colin Resta at Blunders in the Ford V8 mud scramble
Colin's mid mounted V8 Vangaurd at Blicks RacewayBUNBURY SPEEDWAY REUNIONAt a recent Bunbury Car Club Reunion Colin pulled his sprinter out of the shed and brought it along for the display.
Supermodified Sprintcar mates Neville Bornaticie Limited - Errol Moore Supermod - Ray Geneve legend - Roo Dog himself - John Krikke - Eddy Gobby sprintcar champions. |
Colin & Joyce Resta in the 60's at a speedway function
This Ford 302 injected supermodified arrived just in time for the opening of the new Bunbury Speedway, This car gave Colin to take it up to the Perth drivers that raced at Bunbury.
Colin later brought a sprintcar of Ernie Reading with the plans of Limited Sprintcar racing, The problem was the new rules banning fuel injection saw Colin withdraw from the sport and push the car to the back of the shed, were it still is today. |
*********************************************************************************************************************************
CLIFF HILLMAN (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
Cliff Hillman is awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club by Brian Kennedy. Photo: Brian Moyle collection.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
ALBERT PIACENTINI (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
Albert Piacentini was 16 years old when he arrived in Fremantle from Italy in 1936. By 1944 he was running his own timber mill in Dardanup and in 1949 was allocated a Cat D6 bulldozer on the condition he commit to clearing post World War 2 soldier settlement land grants in the Margaret River area.
Alberts involvment in the mineral sands industry began when he started doing odd jobs for Western Titanium, Cable Sands and Westralian Sands. By 1969 when Alberts son Colin joined the company, they branched out, buying more and bigger equipment such as Scrapers, Dozers, Loaders and Trucks.
In 1972 when Bunbury Speedway was built Albert was one of the first contractors to step up, loaning equipment and providing many tons of sand and gravel to turn this waste land into a speedway that would rival the best in Australia. Hour after Hour Alberts trucks would cart in the material's, while the Bulldozers and Scrapers would form and shape this 1/4 mile dirt oval speedway, that just seemed to rise out of the swamp.
Without Albert involvement in this venture that we all take for granted now, it may not have even gone ahead, All the sundry areas on the 20 acre lot such as the Pits and the Car Parks all were the result of Alberts commitment. The Club was faced with a problem when the track was fished, it had no money, but felt the need to reward Albert and his family, Prior to the Speedways opening night the club painted the families name on the freshly painted white railway sleeper fence in big black letter. Piacentini Corner. not long after Albert was awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
JOE CATALANO (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1975 - CLAUDE "Pop" LINDSAY (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1975 - MERRICK TRIPLETT (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
Like many Bunbury Speedway drivers Merrick's or Mick as most know him race career started at Blicks Raceway, Mick's only season at Blicks saw him race a FJ Holden stockie and went on to win the top points for the season.
Mick then built a falcon to compete in division two saloons at the new Collie Speedway, The following year Bunbury Speedway opened and Mick graduated to a Ford V8 Fairlane in division 1.
The heavy Fairlane was not very successful and the next season Mick built the first XA Falcon hardtop to race speedway in Australia, he raced the car at Bunbury with some success but after a tour of Victoria and Tasmania the car was onsold.
Without a doubt Micks most successful period in racing came when he built the Datsun 1600, The Gollan Motors Nissan gave Mick the ability to get back on the podium and win feature events.
Around this time a very knowledgable man by the name of Kim Abbott appeared on the Bunbury Speedway scene, Kim had a Datsun 260Z he had previously rallied, He offered the car to Mick and they built a speedway car.
|
1975 - Mick Tripplett is awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club, Trophy girl Cynthia Blake presents Mick with his prize, with Bunbury Speedway manager Allan Blake in the backround. |
Unfortunately the car was written off in 1975 after showing so much potential and Mick retired from racing with injury problems.
Mick Triplett had been actively envolved in the administration of the Bunbury Car Club, he served as President, Treasurer and Publicity officer and was part of the Bunbury Speedway construction Team.
In June of 1975 Merrick Triplett was awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1975 - HAROLD THOMAS (Bunbury Car Club Life Mrmber)
|
Harold Thomas is presented with Life Membership to the Bunbury Car Club by Colin Resta.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1975 - IAN HILLMAN (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
Ian first joined the Bunbury Car Club in 1963 when he was racing a MGA sports car on the black track at Caversham and on the Bunbury street circuit, later Ian retired from road racing to concentrate on hot rod racing at Blicks Raceway.
Ian raced the 1965 - 1966 season and went on to become club champion, the following season ian built a Pontiac powered super modified however the car never lived up to expectations and Ian retired from racing.
With the construction of Bunbury Speedway Ian was givern the job of organising the installation of the lighting.
In recognition of his dedication and service Ian was awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club.
|
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1975 - BRAD GARDINER (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
GRAHAM WHEAT (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
BRIAN LEE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
2002 - TERRY HUDSON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
ALLAN BLAKE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
JEAN LEE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
DARREL THOMSON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
IVAN BURKE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
NOLEEN WHEAT (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
MIKE JEFFERIES (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
NOLA WHITEHEAD (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
MAX DUNSTON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
PHIL ROSE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************
DON CROMBIE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
LEEANE EVANS (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
MURRAY HANSON (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
KIM BEARD (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
2018 - BRIAN MOYLE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
Brian's introduction to motor racing was back in the early 1960's, while on holidays in Bunbury with his cousin Frank and two of his uncles. They were staying at the Koombana Caravan Park and attended a Blunders Mud Scrambling event on the wetlands next to the caravan park. Later his family moved from Kulin to Boyup Brook where his parents ran one of the local butcher shops. This was at a time when a group of locals got together to build a Hot Rod track on the Dinninup road, just out of town. A few of the towns kids got involved riding around in the back of allan Bryants Toyota Crown ute handing out drinks for the worker's and passing on messages. Boyup Brook became a very successful track.
|
|
After Boyup Brians familly moved to Bunbury in the late 1960's, He finished off his schooling at the age of fourteen and started an apprentiship at Veale Automotive Engineers. The is when thring got real for Brian and motorsport. Terry Veale was highly regarded in the Performance world and also employed some very clever people that Brian trained under.
In 1972 Bunbury Speedway opened and was a world class venue that riveled Claremont Speedway. Veales boasted a list of Mechanics like Bill Lydite who was associated with many track champions, Ron Stuchberry who swung spanners for the great man Richard Hartzer, Terry Westbrook who was in charge of the Hudson racing team, John in a current model Monaro and Terry in Sprintcars. The list of customers that Brian got to work with with his machining and engine balancing skills was endless, Johnny Clapp, Ivan Burke, Greg Freeman, Peter Thompson from Collie and many more, all the time learning.
As time passed Brian went into business, machining and building engines, he soon became very popular within the racers for his performance lifting abilities. A large list of drivers started to mount up that had won State and National Championship's in many divisions, such as Vince Chapman, Scott Fisher, Graeme Werner, Brad Blake, Greg and Trevor Freeman, as well as all the FRM built cars, Paul Edwards from Albany, Wild Bill Sibald from Collie, way to many to list off. During these years Brian Got envolved in the Bunbury Car Club, serving on the executive committee in every position bar Treasurer. He also held the position of Chief Scruttineer for many year, even working his way to the top of the West Australian Saloon Car Federation Technical Committee. Add to this he held the position of Race Organiser at Bunbury Speedway for nany seasons. While on committee Brian worked on many projects such as the Day's of Thunder premier at the Forrest theatar, A weekly feature in the South Western Times that featured racing machines complemented by several local models from a local academey.
Brians own racing within Modified Sedan was nothing more that a fun thing, many of his mates that he had helped over the years rallied around him when he started, Over those years he still managed a third place on points for one year at Bunbury and won a feature, he also finished forth in a Presidents Cup.
The Social side of the club was also a passion for Brian, he ran Bar's over the years and organised many event's, like Presentation nights, Bathurst days and pre tital gatherings.
In 2020 Brian Stepped back from any major rolls within the club but accepted the position of Vice Patron, a job that he takes very serously in assisting the club to be more successful. Brian was awarded life membership to the Bunbury Car Club in 2018.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
2021 - RON KRIKKE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************
2021 - JOHN KRIKKE (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************
2022 - COLIN PIACENTINI (Bunbury Car Club Life Member)
|
The story of the Piacentini family with the Bunbury Car Club started way back in 1972, when the construction commenced on the new Bunbury Speedway, situated on the outskirts of Town along side a skinny gravel road known as North Boyanup Road, the location was a swap and good for not much according to the Shire. Thats when Albert Piacentini stepped up to take care of the earthworks side of the project. The mission was to turn this wetlands into a speedway that would rival Claremont Speedway.
Albert donated many tons of sand and gravel to the build. Loaned equipment to the club under the direction of one of his Employees, Life Member Colin Resta, to get the job done, all the time not requesting any money's. In addition to this Albert made a life long pledge to the club, that if the club was in need of help, ask Resta and it will happen. Albert was awarded life membership back in the 1970's.
|
|
As the years passed and Alberts son Colin took over the running of the company this arrangement with the club carried forward and the commitment became greater. For those who dont know Colin is a very community minded man and supports many associations. Colin has stood proud alongside many club presidents including our current leader, Kade Helms to make the speedway as successful as it is today. The clubs only payment a sign on the track fence. Piacentini Corner.
Some may not know that this 1/4 mile dirt oval that we all take for granted has had to be resurfaced many times. All these times Colin has supplied any machinery required as well as materials needed, a very expensive exercise under the new expanded track team of Colin Resta, Murray Hanson and Colin Francis.
Come forward a few years and into current times, Colin once again gave a strong commitment to the club during the recent track fence and catch fence upgrade. Once again any equipment that the track team required would be made available. While the new fences were being built the track crew in charge of the finishing off the project, that being John Hovey, Murray Hanson and Brian Lee had available to them any piece of equipment in Pinca's yard, also to that their fuel truck would turn up at the end of each work day and refill all the machines on site, not just there's.
Enough said we the Executive Committee believe, Albert had sadly passed and it is time to award Colin Piacentini his Life Membership to the Bunbury Car Club and we look forward to working with Colin and his boys Kim and Brad in the future.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1990 - BUNBURY CAR CLUB 35 YEAR CELEBRATION
