An Analysis of Bathurst Motorcycle Speedway 1928-32

Motorcycle speedway began in Australia and experienced periods of high and low popularity before entering a period of significant decline over the last twenty years. What little research has been conducted has tended to focus on capital city tracks, the history of competition and general speculation as to the reasons for fluctuating popularity. This paper examines speedway in one regional city from 1928 to 1932 which covers the initial period of rise, fall and rise. It identifies some general similarities of speedway in Australia and specific differences which influenced it in one regional city in terms of promotion and operation. At least to some extent, the paper throws additional light on the reasons behind success and failure.