Jamestown Speedway

[fredeuce]

Hi folks I am a newbie to this forum.
I have an interest in vintage speedway and would like to know where the old Jamestown speedway was located and does the site still exist?

I have noticed a couple of sites on Google earth that look like possibilities but I would only be guessing.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Fred.

[Ray]

Hi Fred,

The old Plumpton speedway, so called because it used the old Plumpton coursing paddock was immediately East of the town. The entrance gate was due west of the Pepper tree and the parking area for spectators and competitors was south of the same tree.



I have sent a PM to you regarding a local bloke who is also still interested.

[fredeuce]

Ray ,
It appears that there is little left to indicate the past use as a speedway of the site you have indicated.Iwould have never have discovered that.

My next question is when did it start operating as a speedway and when did it cease?

I will follow up in relation to the PM you have forwarded to me.

Thanks for your assistance.
Fred.

[Ray]

Hi Fred, There is absolutely nothing to indicate where the old speedway was, unless of course you are willing to go kicking around through the grass, where you may be able to discern some of the edges of the old track. There was never anything else there that I can remember other than a long gone sign on the western fence showing it to be, "The Jamestown Plumpton Speedway".

I can't help you much here. The speedway was in operation as long ago as I can remember, certainly back into the late 1950s. I only know of two members who are still alive and living in Jamestown. One is in very poor health and would be unable to help you, the other is not much better.

(Added Later)
Here's a shot looking to the south east over the same area today. The track itself was in the area between the left hand side fence of the driveway and the pepper tree. Absolutely nothing remains of the track, even the ground has been ploughed up.

[fredeuce]

Ray ,
Thanks for the further info and picture.

Any idea when the track ceased operations?

Fred.

[Ray]

I'd only be guessing Fred but I'd say about 1966-67. I'll ask about and see what I can find out.

[mix]

Ray and Fred
My father was the president of the Jamestown Car club that operated the speedway in jamestown. I have photos of some of the meetings held there. The speedway closed in the early sixties. There are still people around who have some knowledge of this site.

[Ray]

G'day Mix,

This photo was actually taken at Peterborough, however I think you will see someone you know here, there are several Jamestown drivers plus another Peterborough resident who now lives in Jamestown. I reckon that upright gentleman on the inside looks a bit familiar.

Would you care to have a go at identifying the culprits?

[utegirl70]

  Lol..is it you Ray?!?!

[Ray]

"Nah,... 'fraid not. I was only a school kid when this was taken.

[utegirl70]

  Ooops, wasn't implying you were an old fart!!!   

[Ray]

Ooops, wasn't implying you were an old fart!!!   

I dunno why not, it's one of my greatest achievements ....  I made it, this far anyway. Many never had the chance.

Getting "old" is not the see all and end all, but it sure beats the alternative.

[mix]

Ray.
I can identify all the Jamestown drivers in this photo.
On the right (inside) is C.A. Boston - Car J7 (colour yellow) later to be sold to C. Swearse of Jamestown and be repainted blue and renumbered J5.
The center car is R. White (Bob) numbered 2. This car was formerly numbered 111 and came from Campions in Curamulka and finished its life in our back yard where my brother and I used to play in it. Its colour was moroon.
The rear car is E. J. Talbot and this car was painted in Ampol colours, had a Panther engine fitted and numbered J13. This car eventually sustained serious damage at Point Pass and was retired to the shed. In 1981 it went to Pt. Augusta somewhere. Eric replaced this car with another fitted with a BSA and ran it along with Dean Siviour at Rowley Park (J3 and then J13) until he retired in about 1966. Bob went on to win the TQ country championship. His sister still lives in Jamestown. Eric passed away in 1986 but his wife and eldest son still live in Jamestown. CA (Mick) Boston is a resident of the Jamestown Hospital and his family have the car that replaced the one in the photo. It was restored some years ago and bought back by the family for Mick's birthday.
I have photos of these cars at the Jamestown speedway along with others including Allan Streader, Bert Miller and Ray Foot ( Ray lost his life at the Virginia speedway). Allan is still alive and I believe is living in Sydney somewhere.

[Ray]

Thank you for that Mix. The only one you missed was Ron "Plugger" Williams nearest the camera. He was at Peterborough at the time of the photo, but moved to Jamestown only a matter of months later.

Isn't it funny,... the photo is not very good, (it has been blown up many times) and all the competitors are wearing goggles and helmets, yet they are all easily identifiable to those who knew them.

I hope that Fredeuce looks in, I'm sure he would appreciate all of that info you provided.

[mix]

Ray.
I have never seen this photo before but I have others that were taken at Peterborough including Jim Davis and Bill Kennedy. Bob White bought his last car (P6) and this was the one he won the country championship in. It is not hard to reconize these drivers as I have a very close relationship with one of them. I should put all the stories on paper one day while I still remember them. I too have a significant interest in vintage speedway.