The 2023-24 season awards night held, Saturday, June 22 at Castrol Lismore Speedway, represented the start of another chapter in the venue’s magnificent history with its Wall of Fame inauguration ceremony.
The first four inductees were honoured – two posthumously – in front of a big crowd. Other award winners, including the track champions for the respective divisions, were also trophy recipients in celebration of the recently completed season. But the highlight of the night was the Wall of Fame inductions which also featured some magnificent race footage on the big screen from past eras at the famous venue.
Sedan stars the late Paul O’Neill and the late Bruce Maxwell, along with Street Stock hero Dave Wilson and long serving lap scorer June Randall were the inductees. This part of the night was high on emotion following the recent passing of Paul and Bruce, while all four have made such a wonderful contribution to Lismore Speedway and are a very legitimate part of the track’s wonderful history.
The Wall of Fame inductions will now be an annual event at the venue that rightly takes its place in 2024 as one of the longest running circuits without interruption covering 55 years since its season-by-season commencement in November 1969 – and, even before that, speedway ran spasmodically at the Lismore Showground in earlier decades.
Congratulations also to the following award winners:
Northern Rivers Used Cars V8 Dirt Modified Track Champion: Mark Robinson.
(Ryley Smith – second, David Clark – third).
There was a prize money pool for the track championship award close to $10,000 held over five rounds in which 43 drivers contested the series.
Coolamon Quarries Pty Ltd AMCA Nationals Track Champion: Matt Hardy.
(Bruce Marshall – second, Jai Jones – third).
A prize money pool of $7,000 was distributed for the AMCA Track Championship contested over six rounds by 40 drivers.
Grounded Masonry Projects Wingless Sprints Track Champion: Jacob Jolley.
(Ray Eggins – second, Ian O’Toole – third.)
This track championship was conducted over eight rounds with $5,500 for the top 20 contested by 55 drivers. Pictured above.
Hall Bus Company Production Sedan Track Champion: Nathan Gordon.
(Myles White – second, Clay Forster – third.)
There was $3,000 prize pool over six rounds and 21 drivers were involved for the 2023-24 season.
Lawrence and Hanson RSA 4 Cylinder Track Champion: Brodie King.
(Wally Rudder – second, Nathan Harper – third.)
Lawrence and Hanson RSA Stockers Track Champion: Jakob Lesha.
(Gavin Wade – second, Adam Grill – third.)
$4500 RSA Sedan prize pool.
Slideways Go Karting Junior Sedan Track Champion: Indi Butcher.
(Ollie Winkler – second, Ellie Wilson – third.)
$3,000 in prizes over five rounds involving 32 drivers for the series.
TRJ Constructions Junior F500 Track Champion: Daisy Smith.
(Charlie Brown – second, Axel Rudolph – third.)
$3,000 in prizes over five rounds and 15 drivers contested the series.
Special Awards:
Volunteer of the Year- Riley Hepburn
Best Presented Car- Poppy Airey
Encouragement Award- Taylor Blanch
Loyal Supporter of the Year- Frances Olley
Rollover of the Year: Josh Boyd
Sportsperson of the Year: Jacob Jolley
By Dennis Newlyn
Photo:Shaq’s Speedway Pics