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History of the Gilgandra District Speedway.
In 1985 a group of Gilgandra Residents with a common interest, they loved racing 'Fender Benders' got together and formed a
race team. The team having the Tatts Hotel as its major sponsor called themselves the 'Tatts Hotel Racing Team'.
As their successes became better known with good coverage in the local paper, The Gilgandra Weekly, they became known as
the 'Gilgandra Fender Benders'.
On the 27th March 1988 the first meeting of what is now known as the Gilgandra District Speedway Club Inc was held.
Cr. George Downey was approached to assist in acquiring land for the track. George found several acres for the club on the
Newell Highway, 4 km from Gilgandra with the lease held in trust by the Gilgandra Shire Council.
Estimates to build the complex varied from $150,000 to $1.2 million. The club set about raising funds with a lot of support
from local businesses and residents. Many business people donated money and services to the club to help them get started.
Club members used their spare time to run raffles and other revenue ventures. One of the most successful was cutting and
selling wood, this alone rose over $10,000. The club raised in excess of $80,000 during the next two and a half years,
$30,000 being a loan from the Gilgandra Shire Council and the remainder from donations, fund raising and sponsorship.
The club always recognised the need to help and assist others, even though the task ahead of them was so huge. At least 10
% of all money raised went to charities within the area.
By 1990, work had begun at the track site. Approximately 15,000 cubic metres of earthworks were carried out at the site
and 300 metres of concrete safety wall and catch fence were constructed. The cement wall and catch fence was on the north
and western side of the track and this became the spectator hill.
Sunday June 9th 1991 Official opening of the Gilgandra Speedway Track
The moment had arrived, nominations had been received from drivers across New South Wales, and work at the track had been
completed to such an extent that a speedway race meeting could be held for the first time ever in Gilgandra. Over 100 race
cars were in the pits ready to put on a show for the large crowd who were in attendance. Cr. George Downey officially
opened the speedway track making way for the action to begin.
Prior to the start of the 1994/95 race season the club installed the track lighting to make speedway racing under lights at
Gilgandra possible for the first time. With concerns for spectator safety the next major project completed by the club was
the upgrading of the catch fence around the track. Work commenced on this new catch fence, (recognised as one of the best
in Australia), and was eventually completed in 1996.
In 1997, club members moved thousands of cubic metres of dirt to increase the spectator 'Hill'. Crowds attending the
Gilgandra speedway meetings had continually increased over the years necessitating this increase in seating area. As the
club continued to make improvements to the complex and track, many more and varied speedway cars began to travel to
Gilgandra.
The Speedway club also continued to apply for Australian and State Title meetings being more and more successful in
acquiring these events. Some of the major race meetings the club conducted were the Australian Open Fender Bender Title, GP
Midgets NSW Title, Formula 500 NSW Title, Fender Bender NSW Title (several times), Super Sedan NSW Title, Street Stocker
NSW Title and the Litre Sprintcar NSW Title.
At the beginning of the 2000/2001 season the club started the Junior Driver Training Scheme. Both male and female drivers aged
between 14 and 16 years of age undertook the required tuition and started their racing career. The Junior Driving Scheme
places the emphasis on driving skills not racing skills. In the first year there were 10 juniors and this number has grown
each year.
In an article published in the Gilgandra weekly in 1998, the then Mayor of Gilgandra, Mr Ross Whalan, stated "that council
estimated that the speedway attracted in excess of $2 million to the local economy".
The Gilgandra Speedway Club is a non profit organization with all of the money raised from their activities being used to
improve the complex for spectators and competitors alike. All of the work under taken by the members of the club is on a
voluntary basis. The commitment by its members can be seen by the improvement of the complex and the number of successful
race meetings it conducts each year.
There is no doubt that with the continued support of, businesses that advertise with us and sponsor our race meetings, and
with the hard work of members, the Gilgandra Speedway will continue to improve and provide excellent family entertainment.
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Copyright ©2007 Gilgandra District Speedway Club & Webcity.com.au