Published: 19th May 2026, Brisbane.
Sometimes, walking the pits at a grassroots track makes you realise that the most valuable assets out here don’t have wheels or a V8 engine. It’s the people standing right in the line of fire to keep the show alive.
National Volunteer Week May 18–24
Look back at the history books and you’ll find icons like Freddy the flag man dropping the checkers at the legendary Brisbane Exhibition Speedway (the Ekka) waving in immaculate vintage machines like the No. 95 Mini. This week marks National Volunteer Week and at Nomad Dirt Culture, we are turning our lenses away from the race machines for a moment to salute the absolute lifeblood of Australian speedway, our volunteers.
From the flaggies on the turns and the safety crews on the infield, to the gate staff, scrutineers and the club committees who work tirelessly behind the scenes long after the track lights go out. These legends are the first to arrive and the last to leave. They don’t do it for a paycheck and they don’t do it for the glory; they do it out of pure, unadulterated love for the sport and to keep our grassroots heritage alive.
Without their sacrifice and dedication, the engines stay silent, the gates stay locked and the wheels don’t turn. It is a thankless job that deserves the highest respect from every driver, crew member and fan in the stadium.
To every single volunteer who keeps the show running at tracks all across the nation, we see you, we appreciate you and the sport owes you everything.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP THEIR NAMES ALIVE!
Too often history forget the names of the men and women in the fluorescent vests who gave their lives to this sport.
Drop a comment below and name the legendary track volunteers, flaggies, officials or fire crews you remember from back in the day. Let’s pack this comment section with their names so their dedication is never forgotten!
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Because at the end of the day, dirt track isn’t just a discipline, it’s the core heritage, the incredible people and the soul of motorsport.
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Keep your commentary authentic and respect the heritage. Absolute zero tolerance for malicious feeds.