COBRAM (VIC)
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1961 - COBRAM AUTO CLUB
The Cobram Auto Club formed in about 1961 and during the early years only raced once at a location at Dicks Bend on the Murray River down the end of Cobrams Cemetery Road.
The first only Hot Rod race to take place at this site was in 1963, The three cars competing were Stan Menhennet from Tocumwal and Jack McDonald from Numurkah Wreckers, the other was an unknown driver in a flying bedsted from Yarrawonga.
Dramatically there was only one race, The first race was dusty, There was no second race as the cars were pitted on the long grass, This set fire to the grass and started a bush fire, Everyone bolted and met the CFA coming out around the cemetery area.
re-search: Ray Read Editorial: Barry Knight Photo: Barry Knight.
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1972 - ARROW RACEWAY
Nothing much happened until the club established a large circuit on a Recreation Reserve at Koonoomoo, west of the town, and christened it "Arrow Raceway" At this point the track was more of a kidney shape with ess bends, The inaugural club President was Fred Alderton.
The opening meeting of the track was held in 1972 and was later re-launched as a large speedway oval in July of 1976, The track was based on a clay circuit and through-out its life suffered from dust problems, particulary in the dryer months when the club ran its annual Peaches and Cream festival race meeting.
1972 - WINNER OF THE FIRST PEACHES AND CREAM 1000 - AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION DAVID HOUSE
1972: left to right Bryan Liersch, Holbrook - Fred Sutherland, Kyabram - Tino Leo, Shepparton - Tony Hubbard, Seymour - Miss Hot Rod 1972 - David House ACT. Photo: Ray Read.
1972 - RAY READ REPORTED
1972
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1976 - ARROW RACEWAY
In 1976 the shape of the circuit was changed and the venue was re-launched as a large clay oval, Dust was a major issue at the venue, as well as the lack of prize money for the competitors thus causing the spectator numbers to drop off, In 1978 the Cobram club was in financial ruin and doged with image problems, By 1979 the track was finally closed when it was burnt out by a bushfire.
(re-search and Editorial Ray Reid)
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1979 - ARROW RACEWAY
Ray Reid Pictorial feature
