Former driver, Lismore track commentator, Variety Club charity identity and all round good bloke Bruce Maxwell will be remembered this Easter, March 30 and 31, at the venue Bruce loved so much, Castrol Lismore Speedway.
Bruce aged in his 70s, passed away on Saturday, November 17 in Thailand where he resided with his wife Dao. His death was the result of a road accident in which he was the innocent party.
The Bruce Maxwell Classic for V8 Dirt Modifieds will be run in honour of the man nick-named “Rocky.”
Promoters Mick and Kim Sauer are well aware of Bruce’s standing within the Lismore and wider Australian speedway community.
“He was a larger than life person who was loved by everyone,” Kim Sauer said.
“He was a massive part of the Lismore Speedway scene for many years and we want to host a yearly event in honour of Bruce at this venue. He was a character, personality, who made such a magnificent contribution to Lismore Speedway.”
The passing of Bruce Maxwell is more than a tragedy and when news came through last November, his death hit everyone very hard. Bruce made a lasting impression on so many people. He had a raspy, gravel voice, also a heart of gold!
For many years Bruce was a permanent fixture in the Lismore commentary box alongside current announcer Neil Marks.
His racing days go back to 1970 when he drove a Ford Falcon sedan at Sydney’s Liverpool City Raceway.
It did not take long before colour character, charismatic Bruce commanded headline space.
It was at the time when he was a panel shop operator in western Sydney with fellow Liverpool competitor Alan Lucas (Lucas-Maxwell Smash Repairs).
He was a part of the memorable Sedan Test matches against the visiting Americans which packed the Liverpool venue during the ‘seventies.
He was a regular at Canberra’s Tralee Speedway and the shenanigans that unfolded when Bruce was a part of the Liverpool Sedan team that challenged the Canberra side were priceless.
But, more importantly, the theatrics commanded attention for Speedway in the mainstream press and Bruce was certainly one of the catalysts who drove the Speedway coverage.
Bruce is also remembered for his years behind the wheel of the Bob Pike-owned Ford Falcon which became Bruce’s “signature” car. It was a car that had as much character as its driver. His infamous “wall of death” performance in turn one at Liverpool in 1976 was front page news, not only for speedway publications, but mainstream media.
In later years he raced V8 Dirt Modifieds successfully.
It was his work for the Variety Club of Australia that will also always be remembered.
For so many years he was such a devoted worker travelling on the “Bash” around Australia raising money for children.
Bruce was that kind of bloke. Through this involvement he was a man of the people and became friends with entertainers, namely John Paul Young and “Angry” Anderson, among others.
This was the magnetism one Bruce Maxwell possessed.
He was a dedicated husband and father. But more than anything else, there was something inside Bruce that made him a such very special person.
The 40-lap Bruce Maxwell Classics feature race on March 31 will pay $4,000 to win, with $2,000 for second and $1,000 for third.
Promotional team, Mick and Kim, wish the thank the following for their contributions towards the event to honour Bruce and his contribution to the Speedway Community.
- Rob & Julie Jarvis
- Koolfreighters
- John Nangle
- Southside Truck Centre
- Lismore Nissan
- Robbie Christie
- Mick Rowell
- Cobar Steel
- Pezzutti Family
- Anthony Loxley
- Ballina Tow Trucks
- Keith Muller
- Ross Nicastri
- Keith Duggan
- Custom Truck Bodies and Trays
BY DENNIS NEWLYN