Rowley Park Speedway the foremost track in Australia in the early years, promoter Kym Bonython was responsible for bringing so many drivers over from the USA and riders from Europe, RP was the place to be Friday nights for the whole family Adelaide. South Australia just a 10 minute drive from the CBD....
Rowley Park Speedway's circumference was 402.3 metres. (440 yards) or 358 metres (391 yards )
1 metre out from the pole line. Rowley Park Speedway was named after Mr. Enoch Procter ( Ted ) Rowley. Rowley Park Speedway came about when speedcar drivers were becoming unhappy with the new speedway promoters at Kilburn Speedway. The soccer ground at Bromptom was having problems growing the turf and would flood in winter. On the 15th of August 1949 a plan to build a Speedway track similar to Kilburn Speedway at Hindmarsh. It was reported to the Hindmarsh City Council by the Town Clerk of Hindmarsh Mr. Langman. The Speedway would be used twice weekly. Councillor Johnson said he had canvassed the district and found that the majority of the residents did not object to the building of the Speedway, which will cost over 5000 pounds. The grounds were still owned by the South Australian Soccer Association who leased it to the speedway. Pop Hargue and accountant J.V Palmer formed Rowley Park Speedway. Wally Watson was the first speedway manager.in 1949 to 1951, Alf Shields then took over for a further three seasons in 1951 through to 1954. It was in 1953 dolomite was introduced to the circuit where there were mixed reactions. Kym Bonython then took over as promoter from 1954 through to 1973 who done a superb job in promoting the circuit. In 1955 Jack Self was Kym Bonython's Speedway Manager. In 1955 Kym Bonython and Jack Self changed the width of the track making it wider. Speedway on this track became popular attracting thousands of spectators and drivers from around the world. In the 1973 / 74 seasons Rowley Park Speedway was taken over by a syndicate of 5 people, Ray Skipper, Cec Iechler, Kevin Fischer, Tom Dillon and Rex Sendy. In 1973 Tom Dillon was the new manger who only stayed in the position for just over one year. In December 1974 Rowley Park Speedway was then promoted by the Racing Drivers Association through to the closure in 1979. Sel Harley was President, Tom Byres was treasurer and John Brown was the Manager before Jim Nieman took over until the end of an era....
The page is dedicated to the great speedway circuit and other South Australian Speedway tracks likes of Thunderbird Raceway ( Virginia ), Riverview Speedway ( Murray Bridge ), Whyalla Speedway, Riverland Speedway ( Renmark ), Kilburn Speedway and Adelaide International Raceway etc. etc. in that era. I am also concentrating on Saloon Cars / Production Cars, Super Modified's / Sprintcars. Speedcars, Formula 500's/ TQ's, Sidecars and solo's from that speedway era. . Riders / Drivers likes of Bill Wigzell, Laurie Jamieson ( both raced at the first and last meetings ), Dean Hogarth, Steve Stewart, Darryl Downing, John Crowhurst, Robby Marchant, Moss Marchant, Bruce Rickard, Tony Orlando John Fielder, David King, Ian Jones, Mal Leo, Graham Benneche, Ivar Benneche, Bill Barrows, George Tatnell, Zeke Agars, Sir Jack Brabham, Harry Neale, Phil Herreen, Phil Hosking, Ray Skipper, John Moyle, Joe Brandler, Viv Wilks, Jeff Ongly, Kym Bonython, Rick Harvey, John Boulger, Len Bowes, Dean Taylor / Steve Lewis, Nipper Crabb etc. etc:...
For more about Rowley Park Speedway visit our website at www.rowleyparkspeedway.com (coming soon)
