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.

NOMAD MERCH

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

BIG BAD JOHNO

By Jocelyn Dare

Step into the raw, unfiltered history of Australian sidecar racing through the eyes of legendary icon Ron "Big Bad Johno" Johnson—a WWII Royal Australian Navy veteran, promoter, track owner, businessman, father and Brisbane’s Bad Boy of the Exhibition Showgrounds for 45 relentless years. A powerful tribute documenting decades of pure grit, speedway heritage and dirt track legacy.

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