MELBOURNE (VIC)
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1891 - ASPENDALE RACECOARSE
Aspendale Racecoarse opened on the 14th of April 1891 for the purpose of horse racing, The track situated east of the current railway station was a one mile circuit.
Robert Crooke who established the circuit was also a motoring enthusiast orginised the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria to hold a demonstration at the racecoarse in 1903, this was the clubs first competition event.
Aspendale Park Racecourse. Photographer: unknown.
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1905 - ASPENDALE AUTOMOBILE RALLY.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Photo feature
1905 - A line up of cars taking part in a rally, leaving from the Aspendale Racecourse. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
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1906 - ASPENDALE RACECOURSE SPEEDWAYIn 1906 Australia's first comercial motor racing venue was built. only one meeting was ever held at the venue before it fell into a state of neglect. Many years later in 1923 a banked circuit was built but this also fell into a state of disuse by 1930.
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Big crowds would pack the venue for motor racing. Photo: unknown.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Pictorial feature
1906 - Aspendale Speedway, looking South across the track towards the Grand Stand. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
29th January 1906 - The first Automobile race at Aspendale. Photographer: unknown. Photo: J Crooke collection.
3rd Febuary 1906
1906 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY NEWS REPORT
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1914 - ASPENDALE Railway Station.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Photo feature
1914 - Aspendale Railway Station. Looking South - Nepean Highway on right. Station Street on left. Sign on left of Station Street says "Aspendale Park Racecourse. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
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1920 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY 1920.
1920 - AV Turner in his 35hp Floria Itala. Photographer: unknown.
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1921 circa - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Photo feature
1921 circa - Archie Turner driving his 35hp Floria Itale, seen here racing an aeroplane at Aspendale Park in the early 1920's. The race was declared a draw. Turners Itala racing a Farman bi-plane, probably piloted by Major Harry Shaw - a prominent racer himself - at Aspendale. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
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1924 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY 9th June 1924.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Pictorial feature
9th June 1924 - On the start line with HW Miller closest and John Williams ready for a start at Aspendale. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
9th June 1924 - John Williams takes the win ahead of HW Miller. Photographer: unknown. Photo: B King collection.
9th June 1924 - John and Pegg Williams enjoy the win. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
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1928 - ARGUS NEWSPAPER REPORTED 19th December 1928 |
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1929 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Photo feature
1929 - Two motor vehicles race side by side at Aspendale Speedway. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Michael Terry.
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1930 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY BOXING DAY 26th December 1930 |
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1931 - HORSE RACING COMES TO AN END
The last horse racing event held was on the 29th of July 1931 but motor racing continued until the late forty's, The venue was briefly revived after the depression but was halted again before World War two broke out.
Today the once Horse and Motor racing venue has made way for housing, nothing remains, but a few memories.
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1935 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY
1935 - Hope Bartlett in his number 10 MG. Photo: Greg Smith collection.
1935 - Aspendale Speedway typical field with MG's, Bugatti, Austin 7 and more. Photo: Greg Smith collection.
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1939 - ASPENDALE SPEEDWAY.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Photo feature
1939 - Midget racing cars at Aspendale. Vic 1939... Ted Gray and Colin Best on the last lap of a Speedcar event, driving at speeds of 80mph plus. Photographer: unknown. Photo: Bill Pearson collection.
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