KATANNING (WA)
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1985 - PINWERNYING PARK KATANNING SPEEDWAY
Over the years it became increasingly evident that the club needed a new and better site. The club looked into obtaining land and moving the speedway track from the O’Callaghan Park site as there was no room for expansion because the complex was used for soccer, football, the turf club and other horse organisations
In 1985 The shire of Katanning allocatated land to the speedway club for development of a new speedway track overlooking the town next to the Forrest Hill golf club. Under the leadership of club president Ivan Quartermaine and many other volunteers work began on creating a new race track out of the bush.
With the generous help from some local farmers, businesses, the shire and many enthusiastic members of the club the new site was cleared and earthworks for the track started. The area had to have tones of dirt removed to make the track in the side of the hill. The upper spectator area was graded flat and with the help of Western power, the local police, a low loader, escort vehicles, and club members a canteen and toilet block was moved in from the ex railway barracks in Dore Street.
It took nine weekends of long hours of work and social gatherings to complete the race track. The new track was named Pinwernying Park.
The first official race meeting was held on the 8th September 1985, all drivers were presented with a medal to commemorate the occasion.
In 1985 The shire of Katanning allocatated land to the speedway club for development of a new speedway track overlooking the town next to the Forrest Hill golf club. Under the leadership of club president Ivan Quartermaine and many other volunteers work began on creating a new race track out of the bush.
With the generous help from some local farmers, businesses, the shire and many enthusiastic members of the club the new site was cleared and earthworks for the track started. The area had to have tones of dirt removed to make the track in the side of the hill. The upper spectator area was graded flat and with the help of Western power, the local police, a low loader, escort vehicles, and club members a canteen and toilet block was moved in from the ex railway barracks in Dore Street.
It took nine weekends of long hours of work and social gatherings to complete the race track. The new track was named Pinwernying Park.
The first official race meeting was held on the 8th September 1985, all drivers were presented with a medal to commemorate the occasion.
(Editorial Christine Blight)
1985 - Construction of the Pinwernying Park Speedway at Katanning started and finished in 1985. Photorapher: unknown. research Tod Arthur.
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8th September 1985 - Shire President Geoffrey Beek and Club President Ivan Quartermaine at the official opening of the new Pinwernying Speedway. Photographer: unknown. research Tod Arthur.
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1986 - JOHN AMATO Super Sedan's
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1986 - KATANNING SPEEDWAY Super Sedan's.
1986 - left to right - Ray Smith in the Corvette from the Narrogin club, Graeme Wake Katanning SLR5000 Torana, Raynor Gratez, Bob Ness in the Tyrepower Mustang from Kojongup and John Amato in his Z28 Camaro on the outside. Photo: Bob Ness collection.
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19?? - JOY CHINNERY.
Date unknown - Joy Chinnery having a drive in Wizz Chochran's Torana. Photographer: unknown.
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1986 - KATANNING COLLIE CHALLENGE
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MERV HULLAND Supermodified's
Lost Katanning facebook Photo feature
Merv Hulland with his Supermod that he would later sell to Peter Cochrane. Photographer: Andrew Cameron.
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1991 - KATANNING SPEEDWAY GOES UNDER LIGHTS
The club members rallied and errected the lights, The first night meeting was held on the 22nd of September 1991, just prior to the Street Sedan tital.
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1990/1991 - WASCF STREET SEDAN TITAL
Trevor Freeman has slammed the critics by winning the WA street sedan title recently making it back to back titles. With the controversy and ill feeling that followed last years rain effected event , Trevor has allways felt the need to justify his number 1 position. From time to time this has brought Trevor under the watchful eye of the stewards.
Katanning justified his ability to drive hard, fast and smooth by qualifying for the final second on the grid without any panel damage, unlike many of the other front runners
Phil Hastie impressed everyone by qualifying pole for the final as well as having a straight car. With two Bunbury cars off the front row, the race was bound to be full on. Trevor led the final from start to finish while Phil held second until the engine went off, forcing him to drop through the field.
The second Bunbury car to cross the finish line was Rob Haycock in the new cortina.An excellent drive from Rob, gaining more speed and confidence as the race went on to finish fifth. Ron Chell turned in some quick and consistant laps in his Nissan Pulsar. Terry Wood couldn’t stay out of trouble all night, the innocent party to many crashes on the night. Wayne Thomson rolled the Honda Civic in an early heat and also backed it up with a multiple roll later in the night, as a precaution, Wayne spent the night in hospital. On a lighter side , Wayne told me later that a very confused ambulance driver asked him did he know the way to the hospital !
Katanning justified his ability to drive hard, fast and smooth by qualifying for the final second on the grid without any panel damage, unlike many of the other front runners
Phil Hastie impressed everyone by qualifying pole for the final as well as having a straight car. With two Bunbury cars off the front row, the race was bound to be full on. Trevor led the final from start to finish while Phil held second until the engine went off, forcing him to drop through the field.
The second Bunbury car to cross the finish line was Rob Haycock in the new cortina.An excellent drive from Rob, gaining more speed and confidence as the race went on to finish fifth. Ron Chell turned in some quick and consistant laps in his Nissan Pulsar. Terry Wood couldn’t stay out of trouble all night, the innocent party to many crashes on the night. Wayne Thomson rolled the Honda Civic in an early heat and also backed it up with a multiple roll later in the night, as a precaution, Wayne spent the night in hospital. On a lighter side , Wayne told me later that a very confused ambulance driver asked him did he know the way to the hospital !
(Editorial Brian Moyle)
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1997 - KATANNING SPEEDWAY MODIFIED SEDAN FEATURE 8th February 1997
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Photo's Jason Sutton. |
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1998 - KATANNING SPEEDWAY WEST AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION SEDAN CHAMPIONSHIP 7th February 1998 |
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KATANNING SPEEDWAY CLOSES
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2011 - KATANNING SPEEDWAY Walkabout.
Surprisingly the whole complex is reasonable condition, The race track is good enough to race on and the concrete fence is still structurally sound. It is a shame that the vandals have thieves have smashed all the toilet and basin fittings and stripped out all the copper wiring and plumbing. The new toilet and canteen buildings that were built just prior to the venue closing are still standing and structurally sound. The burn out pad is still visible and the motocross track that was built on the infield has also closed. There is however a very large high speed motocross jump and landing ramp on the infield and still in use.