LIVERPOOL City Raceway's explosive era of the 1970s and '80s will be revived at the Casula Powerhouse on Saturday, April 20, when the best of the sport are to be honoured as legends.
Motor sports commentator and writer Mike Raymond, who will be master of ceremonies on the day, said track heroes from what was known as the "Place of Pace" will be recognised by Liverpool Council.
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The Salute to Liverpool Legends event will be held between 10am and 3pm.
Raymond said the Liverpool raceway was built from the ground up by former Liverpool mayor Frank Oliveri and his brothers John and Roy on land they owned on the corner of Wilson and South Liverpool roads, Green Valley, and the track opened May 15, 1967.
"From humble beginnings the Liverpool City Raceway rose to become the most successful speedway in Australia," Raymond said.
"Under blazing floodlights on a Saturday night, crowds of up to 15,000 packed every nook and cranny of the spectator areas to watch the world's best motorcycle champions, including Ole Olsen, Jim Airey, Bill Landels and Ivan Mauger spray the cinders.
"They were joined by sprintcar aces Garry Rush, Sid Hopping, Dick Briton and extroverted US regular Gary Patterson, and that was just for starters."
Frank Oliveri was elected to Liverpool Council in 1965 and remained as North Ward councillor until his retirement in 1995.
He served three terms as Liverpool mayor and awarded an OAM in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1980. Raymond said sadly Frank Oliveri and his brothers John and Roy have since deceased, but their legacy lives on.
"Liverpool Raceway was the first privately owned and built capital city circuit in Australia and it did wonders for tourism in the local area," Raymond said.
The best solos, sidecars, speedcars, modifieds and sedans of the era will be on display at Casula Powerhouse while those to be honoured as a "Liverpool Legend" by mayor Ned Mannoun, include Jim Airey, Bill Landels, Greg Kentwell, Howard Cole and Phil Herne Gary Treloar and Phil McCurtayne , Brian Callaghan, Barry Graham, Gene Cook, Paul Ash, Peter Crick, John Harvey, Howard Revell, Garry Rush, Sid Hopping, Ron Hutchinson and flag waving chief steward Tom Stewart.
Admission is free and bookings can be made by contacting Joanne Morris at Liverpool Council on 9821 9436.
