MUNGALLALA (QLD)
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MUNGALLALA
Mungallala was an old Cobb and Co rest point on the road between Mitchell and Morven on the Warrego Highway in Queensland.
Later when the Railway forged West to Charleville, Mungallala became a major railway town.
The name Mungallala is from the Aboriginal term known for food and water.
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1970's - MUNGALLALA SPEEDWAY
In the early seventies, a group of locals had been flat towing cars with "A" frames to nearby venues at Roma and Charleville, they even raced at short circuit venues in the area at Mitchell and Augathellen.
A delegation which included John Chambers approached a local farmer, Bruce Beal, and asked about using a corner paddock of his farm to build a speedway of their own to race on.
The club started construction using local farming equipment but was secretly assisted by the local shire grader driver, Cliff White, who just happened to stop in when work took him out that way.
The speedway was approximately 500 metres in circumference with banked turns, four stumps were drivern into the ground and a platform built on top to become the starters podium.
Divisions raced at the Mungallala track were Stock, Saloon Cars and Super Stocks.
(Editorial Allan Baker)
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BRUCE BEAL
Bruce Beal wasn't just the land owner, he ran the local garage and had a few cars built for some of the local guys, he also owned the pub where the boys celebrated wins afterwards, The year is 2012 and at last report he still owned the pub.
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JOHN CHAMBERS
John Chambers, a foundation member, initialy ran an FJ Holden.
John Chambers recalls: The track was oval, but had four distinctive corners, midway through turns one and two eased out a little, as did the other end of the racetrack.
Charlie Small was in charge of track preperation on race days, Cars from neighbouring clubs came to support Mungallala and it was nothing to have forty cars at a meeting in the small country town.
It was a country outlaw track that wasn't registered with anybody but we were there to have fun, The local cops approved because it kept the hoods off the roads, and allowed them to race in a controlled enviroment.
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LOPPY FULLER
Loppy Fuller owned a few cars, also the local wrecking yard so parts were no problem.
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WARREN JUKES
Warren Jukes was one of those drivers that raced one of Loppy's cars.
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ALAN TAYLOR
Allan Taylor another of those seventies drivers, raced an FE Holden, no longer with us.
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THE MURPHY BOYS
All four of them had Torana's and were very tough to guys to beat.