11/09/2026
BRICK BY BRICK: The Cost of Paving Over 100 Years of Ekka Grassroots Motorsport Heritage 🏁💔
Nomad Dirt Culture stands firm against the quiet erasure of Australian motorsport history. State leaders celebrate “revitalisation” in hi-vis jackets but for nearly a century, every brick, timber beam and arena boundary at the Brisbane Speedway Exhibition Ground (The Ekka) was forged through the blood, sweat and methanol of grassroots motorsport.
This was the world’s colosseum, built brick by brick since 1926 by visionary legacy promoters like Frank Arthur, alongside sidecar pioneers, 500cc solo riders, midget kings and legends like our own Ron Johnson—“Big Bad Johno”—dubbed the “King of the Ekka” in Peter White’s reporting during the golden years as he charged from heavy handicaps to famous victories.
This arena is hallowed ground. For decades, families scattered the ashes of their loved ones across the dirt oval, while 12 competitors tragically lost their lives on the track—sacrifices that went ignored without an official venue memorial for generations. To ensure their legacy, sacrifice and grieving families were finally recognised, Jocelyn Dare created a new memorial to honour the fallen and preserve the true history of Australian speedway.
Australia produces world champions on the global stage, but back home, we can't even get a farewell lap at our most historic track. 🏆🇦🇺
This was never just about the buildings. It was always about the community, a community that was robbed of the chance to celebrate a century of heritage together.
We are not just losing concrete; we are losing sacred soil, a 100-year milestone and the cultural memory of our sport’s pioneers.
🗣️ A CALL TO THOSE WHO REMEMBER
Did you race under the Ekka lights? Were you sitting in those grandstands as a kid with your family, smelling the methanol and dirt? Don’t let this history be swept under the rug.
Drop your memories, stories, and photos in the comments below, share this post and tag every speedway family you know.
It’s up to our community to ensure this 100-year legacy is never forgotten.
Always was and always will be the soul of Grassroots Motorsport (16th October 1926).
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