LEGEND ON THREE WHEELS: PIONEER PARK PREPARES TO HONOUR SPEEDWAY SIDECAR GIANT GARY MOON

AUSTRALIA

North Queensland's speedway community will gather at Pioneer Park Speedway in Ayr on Saturday, September 26th, to celebrate the endurance, skill, and memory of one of Australian motorsport's most formidable sidecar competitors—Gary Moon. Hosted by the NQ Speedway Riders & Supporters Club Inc. and presented by JR Motorcycle Specialists, the annual Gary Moon Memorial stands as a premier fixture on the Australian grassroots speedway calendar.

"Not a Day Goes By": A Heartfelt Family Tribute

Beyond the championships, silverware, and high-octane action, the memorial remains a profound reflection on a beloved son, brother, and mate whose warmth off the track matched his fierce talent on it.

Marking nearly fifteen years since his tragic loss during a race meeting in Townsville in September 2011, his parents shared a moving tribute that captures the enduring heart of this annual meeting:

"It has now been almost 15 years since you left us... where has all that time gone. Soon we will be celebrating your life with another Moon Memorial Meeting, how time flies. We still miss your happy smiling face, and not a day goes by without remembering you. You are much loved and so missed by mum and dad."

That "happy smiling face" and unyielding love for the sport remain the true engine behind the event, drawing racers and fans together to ensure Gary’s memory lives on at full throttle.

A Decorated Record Across Dirt and Grass

Born with racing in his blood as the son of 1960s sidecar passenger Bob Moon, Gary "Moonman" Moon built a career defined by raw aggression, technical mechanical skill and unmatched consistency. Competing across Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain, his tally of major honours places him among the elite right-hand sidecar drivers in speedway history:

• Australian Speedway Sidecar Champion: 1990/91 (Newcastle Motordrome).

• Nine-Time Queensland Sidecar Champion: 1990/91, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2006/07.

• South Australian Sidecar Champion: 2003/04.

• International & Major Titles: British Empire Classic Winner (1990), Barrier Reef 1000 Winner (1988), Six-time North Queensland Masters Champion, and double World Championship silver medalist (2007, 2009).

Following his tragic passing during a race meeting in Townsville in September 2011, the speedway community established the memorial event to preserve his memory and celebrate the high-octane discipline he championed.

Event Schedule & Venue Information

The upcoming Gary Moon Memorial features a full sidecar feature program supported by local solo and junior classes.

• Venue: Pioneer Park Speedway, 30825 Bruce Highway, Brandon/Ayr, QLD.

• Date: Saturday, September 26th.

• Timings: Gates open at 4:00 PM; Racing commences at 6:00 PM.

• Organisers: NQ Speedway Riders & Supporters Club Inc.

(Archival imagery and promotional artwork courtesy of the NQ Speedway Riders & Supporters Club Inc. Facebook Page).

Disclaimer: Nomad Dirt Culture provides independent news coverage and editorial reporting on grassroots motorsport. We are not an official event organizer or ticketing agent for this meeting. For real-time scheduling, weather alerts, entry lists, and official event updates, please follow the official Gary Moon Memorial and NQ Speedway Riders & Supporters Club Inc. Facebook pages directly.