The mighty mile

Penrith Speedway NSW

Easter 1924 (19th – 21st April) was an exciting time for motorcycle racing enthusiasts in Sydney, with the opening of the Penrith Speedway, located at the base of the Blue Mountains 60 km west of the CBD.

Penrith was at that time experiencing continuous growth as a result of the railway connecting it to Sydney, which opened in 1863. But it was still somewhat of an outpost, with vast areas of undeveloped land.

Later the track would become synonymous with car racing, but this first meeting was an all-motorcycle affair, promoted by the energetic Western Suburbs Motor Cycle Club. The club’s interest in the venue came about following a police crackdown on the “acceleration and brake tests” that were regularly held on public roads in the district. Club members began scouting around for a suitable paddock on which to hold ‘speed contests’, and spotted some unused land that was owned by the Hon. Sydney Smith, politician and cricket enthusiast, who