Out---About

A page for small items & news about ASRA members welfare, happenings and requests.

Sorry, not for Buying & Selling Items.

Contact Bill Powell or John Walker for small news items and member welfare reports..

Dave Gifford, a New Zealand and International Solo rider in the 1960s etc has created his own Facebook page for New Zealand Speedway content - please have a look and maybe add some NZ history etc.

it is "The Speed and The Glory" https://www.facebook.com/groups/588419760174848/

Congratulations John.

At the ASRA Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 23rd November 2024

at Sandringham NSW it was endorsed unopposed the appointment of John Titman as ASRA Patron.

Please find below the initial nomination request.

Dear Committee and Fellow ASRA Members.

With the recent sad passing of our beloved ASRA Patron Trevor Harding,

it is now the solemn time to appoint an ASRA Member as Patron.

I hereby am nominating and proposing John Titman to fill that prestigious role.

I feel John is the worthiest recipient for this position.

John is one of Australia's and Queensland's greatest ever international speedway riders.

He competed in the British Top League from 1972 until1984.

He has won the Queensland State Solo Title seven times, and in 1977 was crowned

Australian Solo Champion. John captained Australia in numerous International Test Matches.

In 1978 and 1979 was a World Solo Finalist. In 1983 - 1984 he was a World Long Track Finalist.

John was the first Australian to ever qualify for the World Long Track Finals.

On a local note, he was the winner of the Ambassador for Tourism in Qld Award, for his services

to the sport on the global stage.

In 2022 he was inducted into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame.

John has experienced an incredible speedway career.

He may have retired from racing many years ago but has continued to be involved in the speedway movement. John today continues to coach and advise Junior riders. Regularly attending Queensland speedway meetings and show days. He has been a sincere loyal member of the ASRA for years, during which time he has assisted the club in every possible way.

John was a regular attendee at the Annual Reunion Dinners, always providing framed speedway portraits for sale or auction, to assist with ASRA finances. John attended last year's Maitland Centenary of Speedway, once again donating items for auction.

His generosity has always been spontaneous.

John's commitment and motivation to the Vintage/Classic and

modern speedway scene deserves the highest of accolades.

Thanking you.

Bill Powell - ASRA

Welfare Officer.

Our Patron - Mr. John Titman

KEVIN TORPIE

It is with deep sadness and regret that I have to inform you of the sad passing of long time VSRA/ASRA Member Kevin Torpie,

aged 87 years. Kevin passed away on Wednesday 1st October 2025 at a Care Facility in Queensland. He unfortunately had been suffering ill health for some time and now he is at peace.

During his ASRA Membership Kevin was always willing to help out with various club activities and in his retirement years still had

a keen interest in speedway. With wife Chris, son John he was a regular attendee to VSRA/ASRA Reunion functions. Kevin also attended QLD speedway meetings and displays, until illness curtailed this activity. A lifelong motorcyclist, he enjoyed touring on his registered road bike. Often travelling from his home in QLD to attend the Phillip Island Motorcycle GP, in Victoria.

For all those who knew Kevin would describe him as the perfect gentleman, extremely modest, quietly spoken, and an unassuming speedway rider. A popular and well respected competitor. A dedicated speedway man with a professional approach to the sport. Undoubtably recognised as one of Australia's most knowledgeable exponents of the speedway art.

Kevin has had a very impressive speedway career.

Starting his speedway career on stock bikes at Redcliffe Showground QLD in the 1959/60 season. He then became a regular in the solo ranks at the Ekka and Archerfield before travelling to Victoria to compete at Fred Tracey's Marybynong speedway. He travelled to England in 1962, signing for the Middlesbrough Bears under Reg Fearman, who would become a lifelong friend. In 1964 he was transferred to Edinburgh. Representing his country in tests 14 times from 1967-73 his 15-point score at the Ekka in 1973 was his highpoint. On the individual stakes, Victorian Solo Champion in 1967. Queensland Solo Champion 1969. Kevin was an Australian Solo Championship finalist 5 times between 1967 & 1974.

In June 1967 he moved to Rockhampton for an extended racing campaign on North Queensland circuits. Kev was a member of "Cowboy" Bob Sharpe's Troupe which put on some of the most spectacular and hard fought solo racing ever seen in Queensland. Sharpe's Troupe, bolstered by regular visits from Brisbane "A" graders, gave spectators a standard of racing rarely equaled anywhere

in Australia.

Kevin retired in 1973, but when his work took him to North Queensland in 1974 he had a short twilight season at Townsville

and Cairns.

Kevin Torpie was a champion not only as a rider but as a human being.

He will be sadly missed yet happily remembered.

Deepest sympathy is extended to Chris, John and his many friends at this sad time.

RIP Kevin

Kind thoughts - Bill Powell

ASRA

Welfare Officer