HOBART (TAS)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1968 - BRIDGEWATER SPEEDWAY #1
The original Bridgewater Speedway was opened to the public in 1968.
The land at the time was owned by David McShane and the racing programme consisted of sedan car racing only.
By the tracks 2nd year McShane had sold the land to the Housing Department for future housing, as there were no immediate plans to build on the site the track was leased to the Bridgewater Speedway Drivers Association.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970 - BRIDGEWATER SPEEDWAY 31st October 1970 |
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970's - GREG DENT
1970's - Greg Dent in the Vauxhall in close battle with the unknown Volkswagon driver at Bridgewater. Photo: Paul Geard collection.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1970's - NEVILLE HARPER Production Car's
1970's - Tasmanian champion Neville Harper would take it up to the interstate visitors. Photo: Paul Geard.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970's - CHAS KELLY Production Car's
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1970's - BRIDGEWATER SPEEDWAY Production Car's
MINI's in Australia on Speedway facebook pictorial feature
1970's - The Mustang leads away Peter Graham next to Dave Wignall. Photo: Justin Young.
1970's - Carl Jefferys with the chequered flag at Bridgewater Speedway. Photo: Justin Young.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1973 - DANIELS & TRAYLING PROMOTIONSJoint promoters David Daniels and Nigel Trayling took control of the venue in 1973 from the Bridgewater Speedway Drivers Association, and the profile of the track started to lift.
The promoters imported racecars and big name drivers from the mainland of Australia, Introduced major events for Grand National Sedans, Modified Sprintcars, Formular Speedcars and the Bikes.
Many Latrobe competitors took advantage of the upgraded circuit and the number of local competitors began to increase.
|
Ray Skeggs with his number 41 Holden Torana. |
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1975 - ALAN BUTCHER Grand National's
Peter Websters World of Speedway photo feature
1975 - Queensland driver Alan Butcher at Bridgewater during the running of the Grand Natiional Series.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1975 - BRIDGEWATER SPEEDWAY #1 CLOSES
By 1975 the Housing Department decided that it was time to build homes on the site, so the Speedway was to go.
Several suitable sites were found for a new speedway but each time the promoters were knocked back by the relivent local councils.
By late 1975 the New Norfolk Council had passed plans for a new track off the Lyell Highway only a few miniutes from the town.
The site was about 8 hectares in size and was a flat field with some natural embankments that could be used for spectator viewing.
Plans for the new track would be a 402 metre banked clay oval and cater for all forms of Racing Sedans, Modified Sprintcars, Solo's and Sidecars, Formular 500's and Speedcars.
Expected opening for the new Bridgewater Speedway was to be in Febuary of 1977.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1980 - GENE COOK Super Sedan's
Bruce Smart photo feature
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1982 - DERWENT VALLEY SPEEDWAY TASMANIAN SEDAN CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 10th April 1982
Bruce Smart photo feature
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1981 - BRIDGEWATER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY 24th October 1981 |
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1981 - BRIDGEWATER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY 21st November 1981 |
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1981 - BRIDGEWATER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY 5th December 1981 |
|
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1982 - BRIDGEWATER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY 23rd January 1982 |
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1982 - BRIDGEWATER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY 30th & 31st January 1982 |
|