Lismore Speedway
Lismore Speedway (also known as Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway) is a dirt track racing venue located at Lismore Showground Lismore, New South Wales.[1] It hosts a variety of motor sports and other events throughout the year.[2][3][4]
Location | Lismore, New South Wales, Australia |
---|---|
Coordinates | 28.7956°S 153.2742°E |
Operator | Mick and Kim Sauer |
Opened | 1969 |
Former names | Lucas Oil Lismore Speedway |
Major events | East Coast Grand National, Australian Speedcar Grand Prix |
Website | lismorespeedway |
Surface | Clay and sand mix |
Length | 0.4 km |
Banking | slight |
Race lap record | 0:10.460 (Luke Oldfield, Sprintcar, 2018, Sprintcars) |
The track is often referred to as "The Home of Champions'.
History
The Speedway at its current location at Lismore Showground was founded on 22 November 1969 by Dutton Stibbard and Neil Mansell.[5] The Showground is used used for non-racing events such as markets and the regional show. It hosted a baseball game in 1972 and a cricket match in 1994. It was severely impacted by Cyclone Debbie which caused extensive flooding across the region, including flooding the Speedway track and buildings.[6] The facility celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.[5]
The track has previously run both motorcycles and sidecars.[7]
Today it hosts a variety of Speedway racing events. These include Sprintcars, Speedcar, Super Sedans, V8 Dirt Modifieds, Late Models and other open wheel and sedan classes. Other entertainment at the track includes monster trucks.[8][9][10]
The track suffered from major flooding during the 2022 Lismore floods resulting in the remainder of the 2021/2022 season being cancelled.[11] New promoters, Mick and Kim Sauer, who took over the track from David Lander one week prior to the 2022 Lismore floods, set about restoring and revamping the Speedway with it reopening for the 2022/2023 season on November 5 2022.[12]
In a first for the region, Lismore Speedway ended the 2022/2023 season with a concert by Country Music Star Adam Brand on Sunday June 11 2023.[13] The meeting, held over the 2023 June Long weekend, saw the running of the NSW SSA Junior title on Saturday June 10 and four 50 lap feature races on Sunday June 11 for Production Sedans, Wingless Sprints, AMCA Nationals and RSA Street Stockers in what was possibly a first in Australia.
Lismore Speedway won the Speedway Australia Award for the Most Improved Speedway in Australia for the 2022/2023 season.[14]
Racing Categories
Categories that race at Lismore Speedway include:
- V8 Dirt Modifieds.
- Wingless Sprints.
- AMCA Nationals.
- RSA Street Stockers.
- Junior Sedans (combined).
- SSA Production Sedans.
- SSA Modified Sedans.
- Sprintcars.
- Speedcars (Midgets).
- Compact Speedcars.
- Late Models.
- Formula 500s (F500).
- Legend Cars.
Feature Events
Lismore Speedway regularly hosts the prestigious East Coast Grand National (ECGN) sedan race.
The East Coast Grand National is a sedan event steeped in wonderful history at the Lismore Speedway. The heritage of the race traces back to the mid-seventies.[15] In 2010, Tania Smith took honours in a race that season which honoured the late, great Lismore national titleholder and former ECGN winner, Grenville Anderson.[16] Darren Kane won the 2011 East Coast Grand National from start to finish in a race that went without interruption.[17] Production Sedans contested the 2021 ECGN in 2021.[18] In 2023, Australian Super Sedan Champion Matt Pascoe was crowned the East Coast Grand National Champion at Lismore Speedway.[19]
The track regularly hosts the historic Australian Speedcar Grand Prix (AGP).
The AGP is an annual dirt track racing meeting for Speedcars, also known as Midgets. The AGP has a rich history dating back to 1938, when it was first held at the Sydney Sports Ground. The AGP is one of the most prestigious and coveted titles in Australian speedway racing, attracting some of the best drivers from Australia and overseas. Past winners include legends such as Ray Revell, Bob Tattersall, Andy McGavin, Johnny Stewart, A.J. Foyt, Steve Kinser, Lealand McSpadden, Garry Rush and Max Dumesny.
The winner of the 2023 AGP held at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway was Rusty Whittaker.[20]
Title Events
The track regularly hosts State and National titles including:
- The 2004/2005 NSW V8 Dirt Modified Title won by Stuart Herne.[21]
- The 2005/2006 Australian V8 Dirt Modified title won by Tim Morse (Vic).[22][23]
- The 2007/2008 Australian Formula 500 Championship won by Michael Pronger (QLD).[24]
- The 2008/2009 Australian Super Sedan title won by Darren Kane.[25]
- The 2010/2011 Australian V8 Dirt Modified title won by Peter Britten.[22]
- The 2010/2011 Australian Speedcar title won by Davey Ray (US).
- The 2013/2014 Australian V8 Dirt Modified title won by David Clark.[22]
- The 2015/2016 Australian AMCA Nationals title won by Matt Hardy (QLD).[26][27]
- The Queensland Speedcar State Title for the first time in 2019.[28]
- The 2022/2023 NSW Late Model Title won by Lachlan Onley.[29]
- The 2022/2023 Australian V8 Dirt Modified Title won by Mitch Randall.[30]
- The 2022/2023 NSW Super Sedan Title won by Matt Pascoe.[31]
- The 2022/2023 NSW Modified Sedan Title won by Nathan Macdonald.[32]
- The 2022/2023 NSW Junior Sedan Title won by Jaiden Santin.[33]
Track
The track is 400 metres long on the pole.[1] It is predominantly circular and constructed with a clay and sand mix.[1] The track is 15 metres wide which is designed to provide room for side-by-side racing.
The track boasts two major covered grandstands, a number of uncovered grandstands and catering facilities.
Meetings are often streamed live and available for replay at North Coast Speedways.
Lap Records
Driver | Date | Laps | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Sprintcars | |||
Luke Oldfield | 1 April 2018 | 1 | 0:10.770 |
Steve Caunt | 9 May 2009 | 2 | 0:22.279 |
David Muir | 20 April 2013 | 6 | 1:18.419 |
Matt Brown | 9 May 2009 | 8 | 1:28.705 |
Luke Oldfield | 1 April 2018 | 10 | 1:54.717 |
Formula 500 | |||
Charlie Brown | 20 November 2010 | 1 | 0:12.826 |
Nathan Pronger | 8 May 2010 | 8 | 1:43.006 |
Chris Alcorn | 23 February 2008 | 20 | 3:41.63 |
V8 Dirt Modifieds | |||
Kevin Britten | 9 April 2011 | 1 | 0:12.902 |
Luke Oldfield | 26 December 2008 | 2 | 0:26.68 |
Luke Oldfield | 23 March 2008 | 6 | 1:18.64 |
Jai Stephenson | 1 November 2014 | 8 | 1:44.267 |
David Clark | 30 March 2013 | 10 | 2:10.851 |
Ray Eggins | 24 January 2010 | 12 | 3:06.445 |
Scott Cannon | 24 January 2009 | 15 | 3:24.78 |
Mark Robinson | 15 March 2014 | 20 | 4:53.912 |
Andrew Pezzutti | 26 December 2007 | 25 | 6:34.47 |
Speedcars | |||
Bryan Clauson | 31 January 2015 | 1 | 0:12.8 |
Michael Pickens | 31 January 2015 | 2 | 0:26.1 |
Sid Whittaker | 10 April 2010 | 6 | 1:23.394 |
Ken Stanaway | 7 March 2009 | 8 | 1:45.64 |
Hayden Williams | 31 January 2015 | 10 | 2:11. 6 |
Matt Smith | 18 February 2011 | 12 | 2:40.620 |
Grant Drainey | 19 January 2008 | 15 | 3:38.91 |
Michael Kendall | 31 January 2014 | 20 | 5:07.031 |
Brad Mosen | 31 January 2014 | 25 | 6:10.554 |
Litre Sprints | |||
Mike Davis | 20 November 2010 | 1 | 0:13.696 |
Tony Brearley | 8 April 2012 | 2 | 0:26.661 |
Kurt Wilson | 3 November 2012 | 6 | 1:20.073 |
Kurt Wilson | 15 January 2016 | 8 | 1:39.835 |
Craig Smith | 5 January 2013 | 12 | 2:39.655 |
Kurt Wilson | 22 March 2014 | 15 | 3:13.013 |
Craig Smith | 23 March 2013 | 20 | 4:31.458 |
Tony Brearley | 7 January 2012 | 25 | 5:57.198 |
Super Sedans | |||
Matt Pascoe | 7 June 2008 | 1 | 0:13.977 |
Michael Nicola | 25 April 2009 | 6 | 1:29.139 |
Darren Kane | 26 March 2011 | 8 | 1:49.172 |
Wayne Randall | 29 November 2008 | 10 | 2:20.780 |
Matt Pascoe | 21 February 2009 | 12 | 3:08.057 |
Jamie McHugh | 8 December 2007 | 30 | 7:26.65 |
Darren Kane | 26 March 2011 | 50 | 11:49.553 |
Wingless Sprints | |||
Trent Martin | 5 November 2011 | 1 | 0:14.439 |
Robert Mazzer | 6 January 2016 | 8 | 1:52.8 |
Mitchell Haynes | 16 January 2016 | 10 | 2:20. 5 |
David Eggins | 5 January 2013 | 12 | 2:59.067 |
David Eggins | 10 April 2010 | 15 | 3:35.56 |
Mitchell Haynes | 19 April 2014 | 20 | 4:50.573 |
Kevin Willis | 16 January 2016 | 100 | 24:49.932 |
AMCA Nationals | |||
Russ Hardy | 26 MArch 2011 | 1 | 0:15.053 |
Russ Hardy | 26 March 2011 | 2 | 0:29.647 |
Brayd Stephenson | 30 March 2013 | 8 | 2:01.706 |
Brayd Stephenson | 7 January 2012 | 10 | 2:38.981 |
Ed Doherty | 8 May 2010 | 1 | 3:22.38 |
Shane Newstead | 2 November 2013 | 15 | 3:54.416 |
Geoff Hayes | 15 November 2014 | 20 | 5:06.549 |
Stuart Hall | 9 January 2016 | 30 | 7:48.451 |
Junior Sedans | |||
Ryan Gorton | 17 December 2011 | 1 | 00:16.8 |
Mitchell Haynes | 26 March 2011 | 2 | 00:34.8 |
Kurt Wilson | 7 June 2008 | 6 | 01:44.6 |
Brock Armstrong | 7 February 2009 | 8 | 02:16.1 |
Kurt Wilson | 1 November 2008 | 10 | 02:54.4 |
Kurt Wilson | 23 February 2008 | 12 | 03:01.9 |
Kurt Wilson | 4 April 2010 | 15 | 04:18.3 |
Ryan Gorton | 17 December 2011 | 20 | 05:59.2 |
References
- "Lismore City Speedway". Speedway Australia. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- "Lismore Speedway". www.visitnsw.com. Destination NSW. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- "Lismore - Lismore Speedway - Lismore & Nimbin Tourism". www.visitlismore.com.au. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- "Lismore City Speedway". Speedway Australia. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- Newlyn, Dennis (24 May 2021). "50 Years Lismore Speedway". Speedway Illustrated News. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- "LISMORE SHOWGROUND SPEEDWAY". Speedway and Road Race History. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- "history". Lismore Speedway. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- Aboud, Lizzie. "LISMORE SPEEDWAY WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR | NBN News". NBN News. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- "LORD MAYOR'S CUP KICKING OFF LISMORE'S SPEEDWAY SEASON | NBN News". NBN News. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- Newlyn, Dennis (14 June 2022). "Full steam ahead for speedway season". Lismore City News. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- Richter, Gracie. "LISMORE SPEEDWAY SEASON CANCELLED AFTER THE REGION'S FLOODS | NBN News". Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- "It's been a long road back for new owners of Speedway". Lismore City News. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- "Adam Brand @ Lismore Speedway". Bandsintown. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ""It's better than lego" say Lismore Speedway owners taking out top gong at Melbourne Gala Awards". NBN News. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- "Speedway goes 'old school' with running of Grand National". Lismore City News. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- Newlyn, Dennis (15 February 2023). "EAST COAST GN A PART OF HISTORY ON 'OLD SCHOOL' NIGHT". Speedway Illustrated News. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- "DARREN KANE WINS EAST COAST NATIONAL". NBN News. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- Production Sedans: 2021 East Coast Grand National - A-Main - Lismore Speedway - 06.03.2021, retrieved 30 July 2023
- "Matt Pascoe crowned East Coast Grand National Champion at Lismore Speedway". NBN News. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- Newlyn, Dennis (7 February 2023). "WHITTAKER'S AUSTRALIAN SPEEDCAR GP". Speedway Illustrated News. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- "Herne grabs NSW speedway title". 21 February 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2005.
- "Australian Champions History - Google Drive". docs.google.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- Maxwell, Bruce (30 January 2006). "Mighty Morse wins title". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- "Australian Champions History - Google Drive". docs.google.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- Newlyn, Dennis (23 February 2009). "Kane wins Australian Super Sedan Championship". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- "Australian Champions History - Google Drive". docs.google.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- "Hardy Wins Action-Packed Australian Title". amcanationals.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- "LISMORE SPEEDWAY TO HOST QUEENSLAND'S SPEEDCAR STATE TITLE | NBN News". NBN News. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- Shannon, Josephine. "Lachlan Onley takes out NSW Late Model Title at Lismore Speedway | NBN News". Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- Newlyn, Dennis (10 April 2023). "MITCH RANDALL IS NEW AUSTRALIAN V8 DIRT MODIFIED CHAMP". Speedway Illustrated News. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- Super Sedans | NSW Title - Lismore - 23rd Apr 2023 | Clay-Per-View Highlights, retrieved 24 June 2023
- Modified Sedans | NSW Title - Lismore - 23rd Apr 2023 | Clay-Per-View Highlights, retrieved 24 June 2023
- Junior Sedans | NSW Title - Lismore - 10th Jun 2023 | Clay-Per-View, retrieved 24 June 2023