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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ECHOES OF THE EKKA: When Pure Grit, Offenhausers and Bill Goode Shook Brisbane

15 August 2026

EKKA SHOWGROUNDS, QLD In our Nomad Dirt Culture Archives, we hold the merits of when grassroots Motorsport was created on Australian Soil. Did you know Speedway was called the “Motor Cycle Carnival” before it was classed...

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