racing

When the first motorcycles appeared on roads at the end of the nineteenth century, it was inevitable riders would want to know whose bike went fastest, and who was the better, quicker rider. Thus, motorcycle sport was born and various forms of competition quickly developed — including road racing, cross-country, track racing, and hill-climbing — each prompting new and specialised motorcycle designs and configurations. As early as 1908, motorcycles such as the Brisbane-built Spencer were racing laps of a dirt track at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba. The sport got its start when riders used the loosely packed horseracing tracks and circuits, including the Brisbane and Sydney Showgrounds. By the 1920s, these races had evolved into a sport called Speedway, which was pioneered in Australia and went on to take the world by storm. The Australian Individual Speedway Championship is the longest-running speedway race in the world, occurring annually since 1926. Brisbane has a long and colorful history of the sport with the first Speedway race held at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds on 23 October 1926. In early races, the track was covered in grass, although the surface was soon destroyed by tire treads. The slippery dirt track, while being safer for riders, also proved a more thrilling and entertaining spectacle for audiences. Speedway involves four to six riders competing over four anticlockwise laps of slippery dirt or crushed rock circuit and requires the rider to expertly ‘powerslide’ around corners at high speed. Put yourself in the position of the rider daring enough to ride without gears nor brakes and hardly any suspension at ‘The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire’ showcasing 100 designs from 1871 until 2020. Source: blog.qagoma.qld.gov.au/the-australian-sport-5-speedway-ra...

Number 80 : McLaren Elva MkIII - Chevrolet of Dick Losk. Started 20th, finished 13th

Thank you for the additional information!

Based on races result from that day as per link below, this appears to be the finish of the Third Division race won by Lady Vizier from Silver Night and Yokel. Other starters were Bonnie Mack, Lady Wraith, The Singer, Blue Herod, Mira's Luck, Lord Lisbon, Kerfoot, Royal Frisco, and Perfect. The margins were a neck by half a length. There were no other races on the day with such a close finish. nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41109752

Lady Vizier ridden by W. (Billy) Blundell wins at Albion Park in February 1931 beating Silver Knight and Yokel. Note the sand flying. Source: nunn.com.au/the-creek/