Onslow: WA.
ONSLOW SPEEDWAY.
1985 - ONSLOW SPEEDWAY.
Established in 1985 as "The Wheels Club of Onslow," it didn't take long for the 500 metre Dirt Oval Speedway and club to take off in the small coastal township.
With a population not even reaching a total of one thousand locals it was a major effort to get things off the ground to begin with.
The track was constructed in a natural amphitheatre allowing spectators to sit around the hillside with a few refreshments watching there favorite drivers.
The foundation members of the club were Ted Wright, Jenny Wright, Dave Prescott, Sandra Prescott, Mark Prescott, Bernie Woodhouse and Stephen Jefferies. Dave Prescott would be ellected as the club's first President.
The major attraction was the annual Bougainvillea Meeting that coincided with the town's annual Festival. Jim Waddell was one of the drivers at that first Bougainvillea Meeting in 1985 and proudly displays at home his spoils from that event. Jim worked in the fishing industry and sadley moved away.
In 1992 the 500 metre track went through a major overhaul, the pits were moved to the infield (a practice no longer permitted) and the spectator area was moved to the other side of the track were it gained natural shelter from the gusty winds behind the hill.
Ted and Jenny Wright moved away in 1994, but relocated to Bunbury were there speedway racing continued. That turned out to be a big loss to the Onslow club.
On the 25th of February 1995, Onslow Speedway was totally destroyed when it took a direct hit from "Cyclone Bobbie." The whole venue was wiped out, the infrastructure was either flattened or blown away. The track's water supply dam was turned into a muddy quagmire. It took in excess of four days for the arena's lake to subcide enough to see the damage.
[Editorial Allan Baker: continued below]
1995 - WEST COAST SPEEDWAY NEWS. Reported.
1995 - ONSLOW SPEEDWAY.
[continued from above]
The club tried hard to rebuild and recover, Whilst attempts were made at home, others were out flying the Onslow flag at surrounding speedway's telling people, one and all that Onslow is alive and rebuilding.