THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER: JAMIE HABBIN AND HIS LEGENDARY 1979 WESLAKE SPEEDWAY SOLO

BRISBANE, QLD

Under the morning sun at the Albany Creek Tavern Car Park on Sunday, September 27, 2026, the air was thick with the unmistakable atmosphere of Australian motorsport history. The 2026 Speedway, Bike & Car Show wasn't merely a static display of vintage iron and memorabilia; it was a living classroom where the past and future of Brisbane speedway collided.

Here, seasoned speedway icons gathered not just to reminisce about the "good old days," but to actively teach the next generation the ropes of the sport. Young, aspiring riders walked through rows of historic machines, learning the intricate mechanics of high-compression 500cc engines, the art of riding without brakes, and the grit required to keep Australia's 125-year-old speedway legacy alive in Brisbane.

And standing proud amidst the display was one machine that captured the imagination of veterans and juniors alike—a glowing, hot-pink vision of pure speedway history: Jamie Habbin’s 1979 Weslake 'Pink Panther' Speedway Solo.

Photo credit: Darren Sonnenberg- photo of Jamie in his younger years

From Peterborough to Australia: The Legend of 'The Pink Panther'

During his time racing in the UK for the Peterborough Panthers, Jamie Habbin became a fan favorite across European ovals. Clad head-to-toe in custom hot-pink leathers and tearing around the dirt on high-revving 500cc single-cylinder machines, fans and commentators quickly dubbed him "The Pink Panther."

After stepping away from professional UK league racing, Habbin relocated to Australia, bringing his passion for speedway history with him. To honour the classic "Upright" era of speedway motorcycles, Habbin bought, rode, and meticulously restored an authentic 1979 Weslake Solo rebuilding it back to its exact prime competition spec.

1979 Weslake Machine Specifications:

• Engine: 500cc Air-Cooled High-Compression Weslake Single (Pure Methanol)

• Era: Upright Engine Layout (Pre-Laydown Engine Era)

• Brakes: None (Standard Speedway Spec)

• Livery: Custom High-Gloss Hot-Pink Frame, Anodized Pink Spokes, Hand-Crafted Checkered Flag Fairings, and Matching Pink Panther Wheel Discs

• Rider Gear: Original-Style Custom Tailored Hot-Pink Leathers & Pink Helmet

One Final Ride: Bidding Farewell to Mick Doohan Raceway

photo credit: Darren Sonnenberg 

While the 1979 Weslake stands today as a centerpiece for educating young fans, Jamie Habbin proved that "The Pink Panther" is far more than a museum piece.

In mid-November 2025, during the final historic speedway meeting at North Brisbane Junior Motorcycle Club (Mick Doohan Raceway) before the venue officially closed its doors in December 2025, Habbin suited back up in his signature pink Fox gear and took to the track.

Seeing the legend gear up and slide through the turns one last time at Banyo brought cheers from veteran spectators and fellow riders alike—a poignant moment for a track that served as the beating heart of Brisbane grassroots speedway for decades.

Preserving 125 Years of Brisbane Speedway Heritage

Events like the 2026 Albany Creek Tavern Display prove that while physical tracks may close, the spirit of Brisbane speedway remains indestructible. "Upright" speedway bikes represent a sacred era in dirt track history—a time before modern laydown engines took over, where riders relied purely on raw throttle control, violent power-to-weight ratios, and extreme body positioning to slide sideways through turns at over 110 km/h.

By bringing these machines into public spaces and putting young eyes on historic engineering, veteran riders like Jamie Habbin are ensuring that the 125-year torch is passed smoothly to the next generation of champions.

"Speedway has always been about character, showmanship and passing knowledge down to the young roosters coming through the ranks," says the team at Nomad Dirt Culture. "Jamie Habbin’s 'Pink Panther' Weslake isn't just a display piece—it's a living piece of international speedway history inspiring the future of Queensland motorsport."

 

ABOUT NOMAD DIRT CULTURE

Nomad Dirt Culture (NDC) is Australia’s leading independent media platform dedicated to grassroots motorsport. Built by multi-generational racing families, NDC delivers national PR distribution, media coverage, and racer sponsorship across a network generating millions of monthly impressions.

Media Enquiries & Submissions:

📧 Editorial email: info@nomaddirtculture.com

Photo Credit: Darren Sonnenberg