History

A brief, chronological history of Speedway Racing in Australia.

1920s

The sport of dirt track and asphalt automobile and motorcycle racing in Australia on small, enclosed, circular tracks can be traced, in embryonic form at least, to the 1900's however it was during the 1920's that it really became popular with world famous tracks opening such as the Sydney Showground and West Maitland in NSW, Wayville Showground in SA, Claremont Showground in WA, Kardinia Park and Melbourne Exhibition in Vic and the Brisbane Exhibition in Qld.

1930s & 40s

The first official Speedcar or 'Midget car' event held in Australia was staged at Melbourne's Olympic Park on December 15, 1934 under rules and regulations of the Midget Car Drivers Association whose name was later changed to the Victorian Speedcar Drivers' Association. The Victorian Speedcar Championship was inaugurated in April 1935 and still stands as the second oldest Speedcar race in the world behind the American Thanksgiving Grand Prix held in November 1934.

The Victorian club also organised the first Australian championship however as Speedcar racing spread interstate the official national title is difficult to trace as each rival track and sanctioning body held their own title in each state, this continued even after a national body was formed.

1950s & 60s

Speedway was revitalised with the introduction of crash and bash Stock Car racing in the mid 1950's and the first meeting at the Sydney Showground drew an estimated crowd 40,000 spectators. Lightweight Stock Rod/Hot Rod/Sportsman/Super Modified/Modified racing began in the early 1960's and later evolved in to Sprintcar racing while the heavier version developed into V8 Dirt Modifieds.

Meanwhile the mighty midgets enjoyed a golden era during the 60's that is still revered today. In December 1964, the Sun newspaper wrote that speedway racing was now the second most watched summer spectator sport behind first-class horse racing, easily out doing cricket, tennis, athletics, trotting and greyhound racing.

1970s & 80s

Sedans took over as the number one category in Australia during the 1970's racing on dirt and paved tracks while Sprintcars developed towards the end of the decade and really flourished in the 1980's, so much so that a national series was organised to really showcase the division. Branded the Australian Sprintcar Championship Series (ASC Series) we now know it as World Series Sprintcars.

The 70's also witnessed TQ's (small versions of Speedcars) morph into a number of classes such as Three Quater Midgets, Micro Midgets/Sprints, Junior/Compact Speedcars, Grand Prix Midgets, Mini Sprints, V6 Sprints, Litre Cars and Formula 500's. Along the journey many sedan categories developed however only five are controlled by the Australian Saloon Car Federation (Speedway Sedans Australia); Super Sedans, Modified Production Sedans, Production Sedans, Street Stocks and Junior Sedans.

1990s

Traditionally speedway's administration has been fragmented across various sanctioning and category groups, but that changed in 1997 when the Federation of Australian Speedway (FAS) and World Series Sprintcars united to form NASR. NASR has worked hard to develop unified standards in safety, training, presentation and performance, improve the profile and standardise and develop management skills at all levels.

Modern Era

In 2006 NASR was ratified by the FIA, through CAMS, as the internationally recognised controlling body of speedway racing in Australia, becoming the first speedway body anywhere to achieve FIA delegation of authority. 

In May 2011, the National Association of Speedway Racing rebranding to become Speedway Australia, reflecting a series of organisational changes and resource improvements enabling more efficient governance of the sport.

The FIA delegation was renewed in 2022 and continues to provide a platform for an excellent relationship with Motorsport Australia as the National Sporting Organisation and respective authorites of other motorsport disciplines in the nation under the Australian Motorsport Council.

Today speedway racing offers a cosmopolitan smorgasbord of racing to wet the appetite of any motor sport enthusiasts or to provide Australia's best family night out!