SPEEDWAY LEGEND INDUCTED INTO THE AUSTRALIAN MOTORSPORT HALL OF FAME
Legendary speedway engine and chassis builder John Sidney has today been inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame as part of the Formula One Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025 festivities at Melbourne's Albert Park.
Inducted into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame in 2008, John's reputation in the wider motorsport industry transcended speedway racing, becoming a valued advisor in multiple motorsport disciplines, establishing him as a worthy inclusion in the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.
John Sidney Racing claimed three World Series Sprintcars titles, two Australian Sprintcar Championships and two Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic victories with Max Dumesny, all sporting the famous OTR (Oval Track Racing Equipment & Development) chassis and engines between 1991 and 1998.
John was humbled by the induction, admitting he felt a little "out of place" amongst such decorated names in the Australian motorsport industry.
"I didn't realise how big a deal this was!" he laughed. "I'm not a high profile person at all, so when I look at these people that I'm here with, it's very humbling."
"I was always pretty intense at races. I was really focussed because we were on such a steep learning curve in the 80's. But it was the winning that drove us. We didn't like running second, but I don't think we would've achieved the things we did without Max."
John was surrounded by family and friends for the induction, including Hall of Famer Max Dumesny who sat with John throughout the ceremony, hosted by Greg Rust.
John was inducted alongside the Australian Women’s International Six Day Enduro Team of Jemma Wilson, Jessica Gardiner and Tayla Jones, eighteen times national Karting champion David Sera, eight times Top Fuel Motorcycle drag racing champion Chris Matheson , and circuit racing legend, the late Leo Geoghegan.
In behalf of the entire Australian Speedway community, congratulations John on your induction, and thankyou for your immeasurable contribution to our sport.
Pic: John Sidney flanked by Max Dumesny (left) and Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame chairman John Smailes.
Posted: 17/03/2025