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By Chris Meaden
It was only in recent years that I
discovered that the nondescript park I drive past en
route to High Point Shopping Centre is the remains of
the famed Tracey’s Speedway.
I am amazed that the speedway ever coexisted amongst the
suburban houses. How times have changed.
The speedway was
known as Maribyrnong Speedway when it was built in 1946.
It was soon renamed Kirjon Speedway by the promoters.
Fred Tracey
gained control of the speedway circa 1951 after the
venue temporarily ceased operating. He renamed it to
Tracey’s Speedway. Why not?!
Many top names
raced at the venue including Bob Tattersall and Jimmy
Davies from the USA, Frank Brewer, Graham McCubbin, Alf
Beasley, Jack O’Dea, Lea Francis, Aub Cherry, Ray
Fechner. Kym Bonython won the Speedway’s first 50-lap
Speedcar Derby.
Surprisingly
only a handful of drivers died at the venue but
unfortunately Alf Beasley was one of them in 1958.
Time caught up
with the venue and sadly it closed in 1964.
For those
interested in taking a step back in time, I would
recommend the trip to Maribyrnong. Try sitting in the
old grandstand and I swear that you will still hear the
faint scream of the Midgets!
| You may want to catch a
tram to get there, on the same tram line that
hordes of people would have traversed in the
speedway’s heyday. Take the #57 or #82 tram. |
Click on the thumbnail |
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Maribyrnong Reserve (behind the McDonald Reserve) is on
Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong. Melways map 28B7.
It is about 8 kms from CBD, as the
crow flies.
The Victorian Classic and Vintage
Speedway Club conduct its annual
Tracey's Speedway Reunion around April each year.
I will endeavor to remind MotorsportArchive.com visitors
when the next reunion approaches.
If anyone has any more information or stories to tell
about Tracey’s Speedway, please don’t hesitate to
contact me (see below for details). |
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