Claremont Speedway, former racing track in Claremont, Western Australia
Claremont Speedway was a racing track in Western Australia, located on the Claremont Showgrounds in Perth. The oval track measured about 586 meters long and had a surface of dolomite and clay where motorcycle and car races took place. The track featured electric lighting for night racing and was equipped with safety barriers over the decades to protect spectators.
The speedway opened in 1927 and was one of the oldest racing venues in the world. The first race took place in May 1927, with electric lighting introduced just months later in September of the same year to enable night racing - a groundbreaking moment for motorsport history. The track remained active for over 70 years until it closed in 2000, after which racing moved to a new venue near Kwinana.
The name Claremont refers to the suburb and the Showgrounds where the speedway stood. The track was more than just a place to watch races - it was a meeting point for the community, especially on Friday evenings when thousands of fans gathered to watch the fast-paced competitions unfold.
The site is easy to reach, as it was located on the Claremont Showgrounds in Perth, a well-known events venue. Visitors can still see memorial plaques today that commemorate the site's history and those who lost their lives there, as they remain on the grounds.
Claremont hosted the first Race of the World Series Sprintcars in 1987, a three-day event that drew top drivers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. A young driver named Jeff Gordon, who later became famous, was only 15 years old when he competed in that event.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
