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

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/
Our Patron - Mr. John Titman
CHEQUERED FLAG – John Hook 
by Bill Powell, Welfare Officer

    It is with deep regret that I advise of the sad and sudden passing of long-time ASRA Member John Hook, 
aged 87 years. John passed away peacefully at home Thursday, 17th September 2026.  
John and his loving wife Kay joined the VSRA/ASRA in January 1992 by invitation from Association founder, 
Jim Courtney and remained a passionate life supporter of the Association. John was a Sydney based solo rider commencing his racing career in 1960 at Westmead Speedway - riding a JAP machine that he purchased from Sydney rider Alan Wall.  
One highlight of John’s racing career was winning the 1962 NSW Junior Solo Championship at the Sydney Showground ahead of Gordon Robbie and Harold Campbell. Other highlights were travelling on numerous occasions with his good friend Barry Hopkin to race at Brisbane’s Ekka.  
John was a very safe, competent and popular mid-handicap marker. He was winner three times of the prestigious Michael Page Seasonal trophy for top point scorer in Handicap Solo Final events.  
During these years John and Kay formed a close lifelong bond with the Hartman, Byers and Preece families.  
John retired from solo racing in 1966.
He has always been an all-round motorcycle enthusiast and during his early career was a regular scrambles (motorcross) competitor.  
Following his solo racing retirement he moved onto open wheel circuit racing, Formula Vee through the seventies and eighties, running primarily at Amaroo and Oran Park. In the early 1980s, he re-located from Sydney to Melbourne and pursued his other passion, flying. He obtained his pilot’s licence and bought himself a glider and spent his weekends away flying with the Gliding Club of Victoria – Benalla.  
When he retired from his permanent employment in the mid-nineties he re-located to a small acreage on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.  
    Prior to his passing, John was experiencing good health, riding his Moto Guzzi motorcycle several times a week. His continuing interest and enthusiasm in classic/vintage motorcycles saw him in an active role with the Sunshine Coast Motorcycle Club.

Condolences to John’s family 
Kay, Robby, Garry, Deb and his many friends. 
  RIP

John Langfield - John Hook - Bruce Croxon - 1996 VSRA Re Union.  photo by Brian Darby 
R.I.P - Charlie Wallis 

Charlie Wallis, a much loved and respected ASRA member passed away on Saturday September 26 in Melbourne.

Charlie will be remembered as a fine gentleman who kept in contact with Speedway folk around the world. He took up Speedway in Melbourne and at the age of 28 he travelled to England in 1959. He had the honour of riding for Australia in his first year at Ipswich and  Southampton and Poole were his next teams. 
He also raced in Holland before returning to Australia.
    Back home he said he became a big fish in a small pond and enjoyed many seasons at Tracey's Speedway. He then worked as an RAC Patrol man and after seeing a poster for art classes became a student of a well known Melbourne Artist who was a member of the elite Twenty Painters 
of Melbourne. 
    Charlie's work gained him awards at Art Shows and his work was under consideration for an Exhibition in Melbourne at the time of his passing. 
    He knew his days were numbered but was still painting and enthusiastic.Charlie's wife Joan was taken into care recently and he lost a Son earlier in the year. 
    He cared for others and was a great listener, 
one of Speedway's true gentlemen.
Our world is a little dimmer due to his passing. 
R.I.P Charlie - there are no more tomorrows.
Tony Webb.

Charlie Wallis at the 1998 Vet's Re Union dinner.
Photo by Brian Darby 
Charlie's Funeral Service will be held at

Lilydale Memorial Park - Lilydale - Victoria 

Thursday October 8 at 10 am .

Graveside service.

Manna gum section 29 grave number.8 

Refreshments afterwards nearby.


Click above for WORD Document .