SPEEDWAYS have been disappearing around the country as financial pressures mount and interests change, but one of the oldest running speedways in Victoria is located right on our doorstep.
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In a town marketed as a spa country destination, the Daylesford Speedway is one of the most revered in Victoria.
For Harry Carman, a life member who was president of the speedway for almost 30 years, ensuring the legacy of the speedway is recorded for future generations is important.
While no longer involved with the day-to-day running of the speedway, he has made fond memories of the dusty track and roaring engines and has spent a great portion of his life racing heavy hot rods, developing and maintaining it.
The speedway was developed by members of the Returned Services League (RSL) in the late 1950s. Mr Carman became involved with its management in the 60s before it was leased to Brian Blease in the early 80s.
He and Mr Blease later went on to work as a team and together they introduced a number of new race day highlights like the demolition derby - one of the first - as well as the hugely popular caravan races.
The Daylesford demolition derby was one of the first with $1000 in prize money on the table in the 80s.
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Though the speedway was hugely popular, attracted huge crowds in decades past and was a learning ground for many great drivers, it hasn't been easy for the club to remain viable in more recent years, with there being several points where the club has come close to closing its doors.
"It brought big crowds for many years - people would line up for a kilometre down the road in the morning. Some people would even get there on Saturday night to get a good spot," Mr Carman said.
"As the years go by there are less people but it's a different generation. Things change."
For Mr Carman, the Daylesford Speedway has been a family affair. He remembers spending Sundays there as a child, with both his father and grandfather also involved with the club and wants more people to have the opportunity to enjoy it - like his granddaughter, who plans to race when she turns 16.
It is a place where people cheer on and even race their friends and family, everybody chips in and everybody has a good time.
"When it first started there was a lot of support from local people. I hope it gets more support so it can keep going. I have a real interest in keeping the place going," Mr Carman said.
It is a similar story for current president Paul Botheras, who first attended the speedway at only a few days old. It is in his blood - he has been racing for 22 years.
Along with a group of passionate others, his priority is building on the club's history by ensuring the facility is constantly improving to rebuild club numbers by attracting more classes and people - from locals to people travelling from out of town.
"It's the longest running speedway in Victoria and many people have a soft spot for it in their hearts," he said.
"We are focusing on our future and improving things. We have had a lot of help over the years - no matter what, you always seem to get a new face who is keen to get in and keep it alive."
A plaque will be unveiled at the speedway this weekend to honour the RSL members' - especially former president and vice Jim Walker and Keith Cole - contribution in building and developing it.
A race meet with a variety of more than 60 cars from older to newer models will be on show. All classes, VSC standard saloons, sport sedans and juniors as well as the Ace of Spades will provide a day of entertainment.
There are numerous events hosted at the speedway each year. This weekend's event will take place from 10am at Basin Road, Daylesford on November 17.
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