This morning I had a phone call from Jim Scaysbrook, editor of “Old Bike Australasia” magazine. In his continuing search for details about racing circuits that are no longer in use, Jim is planning on doing an article on Macarthur Park and the 4 big meetings that were held there in the late 1970’s-early 1980’s. So he called me because I had spoken in passing about it before and because he knew that I had been actively involved in the organising and running of the meetings.
So, not this issue coming soon, but the one after, should have an article about Macarthur Park under the “Tracks in Time” heading. Jim, of course, raced at the original meeting in October 1978 on the NCR Ducati, causing much joy to break forth amongst the many Canberra Ducatisti. This one, actually, though I’m pretty sure this photo was taken at Macarthur Park. (note the nose of the “Golden Breed” Ducati sticking out of the r/h corner of the photograph). That’s almost certainly Jim checking the chain.
The estate was released for housing in February 1982 and building began almost immediately. As of the 2006 census, 1582 people now live in the suburb, most completely oblivious to the fact that, all those years ago, their quiet suburban streets reverberated to the sounds of motorcycle road racing.
Here’s a video that I took to show what the suburb looks like now.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhTbYqPq8QI[/youtube]