Where and when did speedway start?

Speedway culture began in Australia on January 1, 1901, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during an illuminated Night Cycling Carnival featuring motorized tricycles, followed by official motor bicycle races in 1902. While commercial promoters credit Maitland Showground in 1923, historical archives held by Nomad Dirt Culture prove track motor racing existed two decades prior across NSW showgrounds.

Did speedway start in Maitland in 1923?

No. The 1923 Maitland event was a grass-track novelty show where riders were disqualified for putting a foot down to slide. Speedway and illuminated night motor racing actually originated earlier, starting at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1901 and Newcastle Rugby Football Ground in 1905.

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CAIRNS IS ABOUT TO SHAKE: $62,000 ‘THUNDER IN THE CANEFIELDS’

July 31, 2026|Jocelyn Dare

THUNDER IN THE CANEFIELDS 2026: WHERE THE CLAY SHAKES AND LEGENDS ARE MADE

If you’ve never stood trackside at 5:00 PM as the sun dips behind the tropical FNQ mountains—smelling the sweet, thick scent of burning methanol mixing with the evening cane field breeze—you haven't truly experienced Australian motorsport.

Imagine 900-horsepower Sprintcars, giant top wings pitched high, lifting front wheels off the clay and spitting pure fire straight into the night sky. The roar doesn't just fill the arena; it vibrates straight through your chest.

That isn't just a race night. That’s speedway. And Far North Queensland is about to host the biggest one yet.

DUSTIN FILGATE’S EPIC CROSS-COUNTRY TREK

At Nomad Dirt Culture, we exist to back the teams putting everything on the line for this sport.

Case in point: Western Australian driver Dustin Filgate and his crew are making the massive journey clear across the continent from Perth to Far North Queensland to tackle the Thunder in the Canefields series.

Taking on unfamiliar red clay thousands of kilometers from home takes raw grit—and that’s exactly what grassroots racing is all about.

As Dustin put it on his official page:

"We look forward to seeing how we can adapt and perform with a field we haven't experienced on tracks we've never raced at."

Working alongside motorsport greats Ryan and Geoff Murphy, with John and Ryan Farrell making the trip possible, Team Filgate represents the heartbeat of this sport: unfiltered passion, zero fear, and a burning desire to test themselves against Australia’s best.

📲 Follow Dustin’s campaign on Facebook: Dustin Filgate Facebook Page

$62,000 ON THE LINE: THE LARGEST BAG OF CASH IN CAIRNS HISTORY

When the stakes go up, the racing gets wild.

With Sacchi Contractors Pty Ltd stepping up alongside long-time champions Walsh's Auto and Southside Mechanical & Spares, the total prizepool has officially skyrocketed to an eye-watering $62,000—the biggest Sprintcar and Wingless payout FNQ has ever witnessed.

Five massive nights of relentless dirt track warfare split across two legendary venues:

📍 Walsh's Auto Cairns Speedway: Friday, July 31st & Saturday, Aug 1st
📍 Mareeba Speedway: Tuesday, Aug 4th (One night only!)
📍 Walsh's Auto Cairns Speedway (FINALS): Friday, Aug 7th & Saturday, Aug 8th

A FESTIVAL OF SPEED FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

It’s high-octane action wrapped in a full festival vibe. Bring the family, bring your crew, load up on trackside food trucks, grab the latest merch, and let the kids experience the thunderous parade of Australia's finest racers before the green flag drops.

This is grassroots motorsport in its rawest, proudest and most thrilling form.

INDEPENDENT MEDIA NOTICE & OFFICIAL TRACK UPDATES

Nomad Dirt Culture is an independent media publication. We report on public events, driver developments and topics of significant community interest across the Australian motorsport landscape.

Official Event Updates: Event schedules, ticket availability, racing formats, driver nominations, weather notices, and event changes are managed directly by venue operators. Spectators, teams and fans are strongly advised to follow the official social media pages and websites of Walsh’s Auto Cairns Speedway and Mareeba Speedway for real-time race day announcements and official operational updates.
Operational Disclaimer: Nomad Dirt Culture reports on public events in the public interest and is not affiliated with venue management, ticketing vendors, or sanctioning bodies for this event. NDC holds no liability for schedule changes, rainouts or venue decisions.