Gillman Speedway
Adelaide's premier motorcycle speedway, built after North Arm's closure.
Gillman Speedway, also known as Gillman Speedway Stadium, is a 300-metre (330-yard) track built specifically for motorcycle racing in the Adelaide suburb of Gillman, South Australia. The venue opened in 1998 and typically hosts around 13 meetings each season, which runs from October through March or April. Former Sidecar competitor David Parker currently manages and promotes the facility.
The track’s creation was prompted by the abrupt closure of North Arm Speedway at the end of the 1996–97 season, which left Adelaide without a weekly motorcycle speedway venue for the first time in nearly 80 years. North Arm sat on land owned by the South Australian government, and that land was reclaimed in mid-1997. David Parker, then President of the Speedway Riders' Association of South Australia, along with Motorcycling SA President Ivan Golding, inspected numerous potential sites before choosing the Heini Becker Park Motorsport Complex at Gillman. This site sat next to the Heini Becker Motocross track, just 2 kilometres from the former North Arm location. The only equipment available to start construction was an old water truck, a worn Gallion Grader, and a Massey Ferguson tractor (which still runs, while the other machines have since broken down and been replaced).
Gillman Speedway was built on what had been the motocross track’s car park. The first official practice took place on Sunday, 19 October 1997, on a small 213-metre (233-yard) oval made from Dolomite salvaged from the old North Arm track. That initial track ran north–south, with the start line roughly where turns 1 and 2 for solos are now. Regular monthly practice sessions were held there while a larger 400-metre (440-yard) dirt track was built, running east–west. The safety fence for the small track was made from used car tyres, painted white and stacked three high. After monthly practices moved to the larger oval, the first official meeting took place on 16 May 1998.
Meetings continued at the circuit for two more years while ongoing improvements were made. Temporary lights were installed in November 1999, and the first night meeting was held on 7 January 2000—the South Australian Solo Championship, won by Adelaide rider Nigel Sadler. During the winter of 2000, the Speedway Riders' Association of SA Inc. received financial assistance and volunteer labour from local riders, their families, and friends.
- Location
- Gillman, South Australia
- Track length
- 300 metres (330 yards)
- Opened
- 1998 (first meeting 16 May 1998)
- Manager
- David Parker
- Notable events
- Australian Solo Championship rounds, Australian Sidecar Championship, FIM Speedway Sidecar World Cup (2016)
- Track record solo
- 54.06 seconds by Justin Sedgmen (3 January 2017)
- Track record sidecar
- 56.36 seconds by Trent Headland and Darryl Whetstone (16 April 2017)
Lore & Background
The sudden closure of North Arm Speedway in 1997 left Adelaide without a weekly speedway venue for the first time in almost 80 years. David Parker, President of the Speedway Riders' Association of South Australia, and Motorcycling SA President Ivan Golding inspected many sites before settling on the Heini Becker Park Motorsport Complex at Gillman. They began building with only an old water truck, a Gallion Grader, and a Massey Ferguson tractor. The first official practice was held on 19 October 1997 on a small 213-metre track made from Dolomite from the old North Arm track. The original safety fence was made from used car tyres, painted white and stacked three high. After monthly practices moved to the larger oval, the first official meeting took place on 16 May 1998. A 300-metre dirt track was constructed, running east–west.
Reader's Guide
Gillman Speedway is significant as the replacement for the historic North Arm Speedway, ensuring Adelaide's continuous speedway tradition. It has become a premier Australian venue, hosting national championships and international events. The track's development from a small practice circuit to a modern facility with lighting, terracing, a grandstand, and an Air Fence reflects the dedication of the local speedway community. Its role in hosting the 2012 Australian Solo Championship, won by future World Champion Chris Holder, and the 2016 Sidecar World Cup underscores its importance. The venue also supports junior development with an infield junior track opened in 2006. The benefit meeting for injured rider Darcy Ward in 2015, raising over $40,000, highlights the community's spirit. Gillman remains a key site for Australian speedway, with ongoing improvements and a reputation for quality racing.
Did You Know?
- The first official practice at Gillman was on 19 October 1997 on a 213-metre track made from Dolomite from the old North Arm track.
- The original safety fence of the 213-metre track consisted of used car tyres painted white, stacked three high.
- The Air Fence installed for the 2011–12 season cost over A$100,000 and received a donation from six-time World Champion Tony Rickardsson.
- The 4-lap solo track record of 54.06 seconds was set by Justin Sedgmen on 3 January 2017.
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