Published by Jane Schy on August 14, 2026

Stan Sharp from Toowoomba, who was second in the 1939 Australian Senior Grand Prix, in action at the opening of the Rosewood track.

Rosewood History. Queensland.

Rosewood Speedway

In 1939, in the shadow of impending war, two motor enthusiasts and garage proprietors from Ipswich, decided to revive big track racing in the small rural town of Rosewood. They were among the trailblazers in Australian motor sports history. Hector Elliott Collett (Collett’s Garage, East Street) and David Henry Boughen (Central Garage, 174 Brisbane Street) were competitive motor car and motor cycle racers, and both men were born in Rosewood. The site for the track was on the Boughen family’s property at Rosewood, utilising an historic long disused racecourse, and converting it into a three-quarter mile (1.2km) around, dirt speedway.

When the Rosewood Amateur Race Club was formed in May 1913, Mr. James Boughen (Dave’s father) offered his paddock free of charge for a one mile (1.6km) course for all horse racing meetings for three years.

Hec. and Dave’s speedway venture burned brightly over four months in 1939, with racing meets held in August, September and November, before World War II silenced the engines.

A syndicate was formed in May, with the aim of conducting car and motor cycle racing on the proposed track. Mr. Charles Henry Green, clerk of course at the Exhibition Speedway, Brisbane, inspected the track and agreed to act in that capacity on the day. He anticipated that speeds of 75 and possibly 80 m.p.h. would be attained. Officials from the Queensland Motor Sporting Club would control the events and handicap the entrants.

A lot of work clearing and burning stumps etc. had already been done, and was steadily ongoing. If the racing proved to be popular, meets would be held every month to six weeks. There were no fences, and a feature of the track was the width from the inner to outer line of disc markers. It was about 60 feet (18.2m). The rising ground opposite the start and finish lines gave spectators a clear view of the field at practically every point of the track. A slight uphill grade coming out of the final straight required greater skill than a perfectly level track, as there was no banking.

The old track is within the boundaries of the Rosewood Golf Course. When the Golf Club was established in 1928, James Boughen’s paddock was leased for the purpose. (Aerial photos 1948 and 2026)

Mr. Frank Arthur and Dr. E. Smithers, of Sporting Promotions Pty. Ltd., joined with Hec. Collett and Dave Boughen to promote the speed carnivals on the track. They intended bringing up leading motorists from down South for the opening meeting; Frank Kleinig, one of the most successful race drivers and mechanics, being one. It was expected that a team of speedcar racers, who would be in Brisbane for a season at the Exhibition Speedway during October and November, would also be seen in action at Rosewood.

On the afternoon of Sunday, 23rd July, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., the track was open for practice. Trial lap speeds of up to 65mph were attained. A crowd of several hundred people was there and they were treated to many thrills. The general opinion was that the circuit was safe and fast, and good racing should happen at the opening on August 5th. Vic. Winders, Chas. Whatmore, Myles Hunter, Frank Durbridge. G. F. Bennett, and Glenn Connolly were amongst those who had trial runs on the track. A number of motorcyclists also were in action, these including A. (Duck) Anderson, Cyril Anderson and A. Wakefield (Toowoomba), G. Reid, J. Davis, D. Timperley and R. Andrews (Ipswich), Cec. O’Mara and Jack Baxter (Brisbane). The best practice laps were in the vicinity of 45-50 seconds. The fastest lap of the practice, however, was Charles Whatmore’s 45 seconds In his C.W.W. special car, equivalent to about 65 m.p.h.

The speed race events had the sanction of the Auto-Cycle Union of Queensland and the Queensland Motor Sporting Club. Entries closed with the secretary of the Q.M.S.C., care of Palmer and Winders Pty. Ltd., 804 Ann Street, Valley, Saturday 29th July.

Any available accommodation was booked by the end of July.

AUGUST

A public address system was arranged and the first race was timed to start at 2 o’clock. The programme was: Ten miles car handicap, 10 miles motor-cycle handicap, five miles all power motor cycle championship of Queensland, motor car lap record attempts, motor cycle lap record attempts. Over 100 gallons of oil was applied to the surface of the track, while a big reserve of water was available for spraying the track between events if necessary. The track could accommodate four cars in a race. The leading motor cycle riders of the State had been attracted, including the best “dirt-trackers” from Maryborough, Toowoomba and Tenterfield.

Visitors coming from Ipswich and Brisbane were given directions – drive into Rosewood, cross the railway line, and turn right.

On Saturday, 5th August 1939, the deafening roar of high-powered engines and daring sidecar stunts replaced the thudding hooves of racing horses from bygone days. Yet, the raw exhilaration of the spectacle remained exactly the same. This was the first big-track racing in or near Brisbane since 1930, when a 100 miles race was held at Deagon.

Councillor Cornelius Joseph Murphy, vice-chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council, declared the track open and welcomed the visiting riders and drivers. The blue ribbon that spanned the racing track at the starting point was cut by his niece, Miss Mary Murphy. Behind the ribbon, the motorcyclists who were to compete in the first event on the track were lined up. About 1,500 spectators were present. The track was in good order after the recent rain, but the approach to the course was muddy and caused difficulty for some motorists. It was estimated that over 500 cars were driven to the track.

Some of the Ipswich boys would long remember the mud. Their outfits were covered in it, and where deep tracks were cut, riders and passengers had to get out and push their machines to dry land.

The officials were:- Judge and timekeeper, Mr. J. Schmidt; starter, Mr. A. Gillies; clerk of course, Mr. C. H. Green; pit marshal, Mr. E. A. Chanter; Stewards, Messrs. N. Stitt and W. Dyson.

The smell of burning fuel filled the air as the crowds cheered. Despite the high speeds recorded, and the daring riding and driving throughout the day, the events went off without any mishaps. It was a tribute to the skilfulness of the riders and drivers, and to the safety of the track.

Cyril Anderson, a former International speedway ace, won the five-mile all powers championship event, adding another laurel to his extensive list of victories. He won on his 1929 Rudge dirt-track machine, which showed that it still had a lot of kick left in it. Cec. O’Mara was the early leader, but Cyril overtook him and went on to win comfortably. One of the best races of the afternoon was a heat of the motor cycle handicap, in which Warry (Maryborough), Filshie, and Sharp (Toowoomba), provided a great battle. Stan Sharp won the final from Filshie. Whatmore thrilled the crowd in the car final when he won from scratch. After several attempts, he secured an inside run and passed Sefton.

RESULTS:-
QUEENSLAND 5-MILE ALL POWERS CHAMPIONSHIP OF QUEENSLAND
C. Anderson (Downs Club) 4min. 35sec. l; C. O’Mara (Brisbane) 4 min. 45 sec. 2; N. Warry (Maryborough) 4 min. 50 sec. 3. Won by 10 seconds, with five seconds between second and third.

TEN LAP MOTOR CYCLE HANDICAP.
First heat – Norm Warry (Maryborough) 1; Leith Filshie (Toowoomba) 2;. Stan Sharp (Toowoomba) 3; winner’s time. 8.44.
Second heat – J. Baxter 1; C. Anderson 2; C. Waddell 3: time. 8.58.
Final: Stan Sharp (Downs) 1; Leith Filshie 2: time. 9.10.

TEN LAP MOTOR CAR HANDICAP
First heat: C. Whatmore 1: time 10.12.
Second heat: O. Connolly i; time 10.39.
Third heat: O. Sefton; time. 9.7.
Fourth heat: V. Winders; time. 10.31.
Final: C. Whatmore (C.W.W. Special) 1. V. Winders (P. and W. Special) 2. O. Sefton (Ford V8) 3; time. 10.18.
C. O’Mara set a lap record of 33⅕ sec., and later was beaten in a match race by C. Anderson.

MATCH RACE.
C. Anderson, 1min. 46 sec.. 1; Cec. O’Mara 2.
This demonstration of dirt track racing thrilled the spectators.

LAP RECORD ATTEMPTS.
Cycle: C. O’Mara, 33 ⅕ sec. Car: 56 sec.

On a sad note, a man was killed and two passengers were injured when the car they were traveling in somersaulted near the level crossing in Brisbane Street, West Ipswich, about 2 o’clock that afternoon. They were on the way to the Rosewood Speedway. Eric Lane Black (43), from The Gap received severe head injuries and died about an hour later at the Ipswich Hospital. His son Ross (19) and Miss Brenda Morgan, Clayfleld, suffered abrasions and shock. Both were admitted to the Ipswich Hospital.

Almost one month later, on 1st September, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Two days later Great Britain and France declared war on Germany, and a regional conflict expanded into a global conflict, World War 11.

To everyday folk here in Australia, at this stage, the threat felt surreal and distant in Western Europe, so they went on with their daily lives.

SEPTEMBER

Improvements were made to the course in preparation for the second Rosewood track meeting on September 30th. Entries closed on 27th. The track was in excellent order and some fast racing was expected. Members were asked to be careful on the road to and from the course, which would be under police supervision.

On Saturday, 30th September, seventeen events, including a five miles sidecar championship of Queensland, were listed in the combined motor cycling and motoring programme, for which a prize list of nearly £50 was allotted.

The prizes in the motor cycling section were: Five miles sidecar championship. £7/15/ and sash; five miles solo handicap. £9/15/: six laps solo handicap. £12. and crash helmet for fastest time; lap record attempt. 10/6 if successful.

In the car section: Five laps handicap, in four heats, two semi-finals and final, lap record attempt and three cars, three laps match race, total prize money £18/2/.

The cover of the offical programme is pictured at right, courtesy of Spencer Yarrow.

The meet was a big success and Dave Boughen and Hec. Collett were well pleased. The racing was exciting and full of plentiful spills. Although attendance was smaller than opening day in August, the large crowd thoroughly enjoyed the display. The motor car and side-car events raised considerable dust, with the sidecar race proving to be the most thrilling of the day.

RACING RESULTS.
FIVE-LAP MOTOR CYCLE HANDICAP.
First heat: Bonnie Waddell (18sec.) 1, D. Timperley (25sec.) 2, A. Anderson (8sec.) 3. Won by 20yds. Time, 4min. 4sec.
Second heat: C. Anderson (scr.) 1, R. Davis (10sec.) 2, S. Sharpe (8sec.) 3. Time, 4min. 46sec.
Final: B. Waddell (B.S.A.) 1, S. Sharpe (Norton) 2, C. Anderson (Rudge) 3. Time, 4min. 25sec.
Austral ”Duck” Anderson crashed heavily when passing the official stand, and for a while it appeared that he was seriously hurt. He was placed in the ambulance car. Later in the afternoon it was announced that although he was severely shaken, he was not hurt. Don Timperley also crashed near the same place in this event, but immediately got onto his feet unhurt.

SIX LAP MOTOR CYCLE HANDICAP
First heat: B. Waddell (18sec.) 1, C. Anderson (scr.) 2, A. Elliott (24sec.) 3. Second heat: G. Lobwein (30sec.) 1. W. Lunn (24sec.) 2, L. Filshie (18sec.) 3. Time, 5min. 48sec.
Final: B. Waddell (B.S.A.) 1, L. Filshie (B.S.A.) 2, W. Dunn (Norton) 3. Time, 5.19sec.
Anderson’s machine developed engine trouble in this race, and compelled him to stop several times. Waddell won easily.

FIVE LAP CAR HANDICAP
First heat: G. Lee, 30sec. (Standard), 1: H. Collett, 25sec. (Hudson) 2. The other starter A. Willey (57sec.)., dropped out of the race. Won easily. Time, 4.59sec. Second heat: V. Trevethan, 57sec. (Trevethan special), 1: K. Kibble, scr. (Alvis). 2; T. Trevethan, 16sec. (Ford V8), 3. Won easily. Time, 5.30.
Third heat: C. Anderson, 30sec., (Wolesley), 1: C. Barron, 9sec. (Wensun Vauxhall), 2. Time, 5.19.
Fourth heat: P. McDowell. 48 sec. (Standard), 1: V. Winders, 25sec. (P. and W. Special), 2: R. Eberle, 46sec. (Ford 8 h.p.), 3.
First semi-final: G. Lee 1, V. Trevethan 2. Time, 4.51.
Second semi-final: V. Winders 1, C. Anderson 2. Time. 4.34.
Final: C. Anderson (Wolesley) 1, V. Winders (P. and W. Special) 2, C. Barron (Wensun Vauxhall) 3.
In a very close finish, Anderson won narrowly. Time, 4.31.

FIVE MILE SIDE-CAR CHAMPIONSHIP OF QUEENSLAND (seven laps)
Leith “Broadsider” Filshie (B.S.A.) 1, G. Lobwein (B.S.A.) 2, M. Davis (Triumph) 3. Time, 6min. 45sec.

ATTEMPT ON LAP RECORD, MOTOR CYCLES: S. Sharpe (Norton) 48⅖ sec.

CATTEMPT ON LAP RECORD, MOTOR CARS: K. Kibble (Alvis), 49⅖ sec.

In the course of the afternoon, Norman F. Putt (MG Magna- ex Brittania Motors) arrived at Rosewood, having made a non-stop car run from Melbourne to Rosewood. At the conclusion of the events Cyril Anderson was presented with a crash helmet for making the fastest time in the cycling handicaps, and Leith Filshie was presented with the championship sash for winning the side-car championship.

NOVEMBER

The track was reconstructed, and many new features were added for the next meeting. Hec. Collett and Dave Boughen successfully applied to the A.C.U. and the Q.M.S.C. to hold an “All Day Picnic” speed meeting at Rosewood on Sunday, 26th November.

A programme of 26 events was packed into the day. It featured car vs.motorcycle and side-car racing, solo racing events, along with cycling, a soap-box derby, and children’s foot races, leaving ample time at midday for picnicking. Arrangements were made to supply free hot water for everyone who needed it. The programme was set to start at 10.30a.m..

A large crowd attended the third meet organised by the Ipswich High Speed Syndicate, and the event went off without a hitch. All the prominent motor car drivers were there and competitors in the motor cycling events came from Toowoomba Brisbane, Maryborough, and Warwick.

Officials for the day were: Clerk of course and A.C.U. steward, Mr. C. H. Green; A. A . stewards, Messrs. M. Thomas and T. Durbridge; Judge and timekeeper, Mr. J. Schmidt: pit marshal, Mr. H. Harlan: starter, Mr. A. Gillies.

The racing was keen and exciting. Two records were broken. V. Winders (Queensland Motor Sporting Club’s sporting president), driving a P. & W. special, broke the lap record of 49⅖ sec.for speed cars, established at the last meeting by K. Kibble. (new time 48 sec.) The motor cycle lap record of 43⅕ sec., established on the opening day by Cec. O’Mara, was lowered also by Jack Baxter, who gave a brilliant exhibition of dirt track riding (clock 42⅕ sec). In an attempt to establish a lap record for side cars, G. Lobwein (Toowoomba Club) completed the circle in 34⅖ sec.

RESULTS:
SIDE CAR SCRATCH RACE (five laps, flying start).
A. Elliott (Douglas) 1; G. Lobwein (B.S.A.) 2. Time, 4.41.
During the sidecar scratch race, G. Lobwein’s sidecar broke away from his machine and somersaulted. Nevertheless, his was one of the two outfits which finished the race; his passenger was able to hold the cycle and sidecar together until they reached the line.

ATTEMPT ON LAP RECORD, MOTOR CAR
V. Winders (B. M. W. Special), 48sec.

SPEED CAR HANDICAP three laps.
First heat: R. McDowall (Standard) 1; K. Anderson (Woolsley) 2. Time, 2.57.
Second: H. Collett (Hudson) 1, G. Lee (Standard) 2. Time, 2.59.
Third: J. Howard (Morris 840) 1, A. P. Adam (Standard) 2. Time, 3.2.
Final: J. Howard 1, R. McDowall 2. Time, 2.57.
The first dead heat on the track occurred when judges could not separate Gordon Lee and R. McDowall, who drove identical car models as they chased J. Howard over the line. A competitor had a narrow escape was when he swerved as a result of his machine slipping out of gear. The “swerve” carried the outfit inside the finishing post, where the flag

steward, Eric Landlord, was sorting his flags. Landlord jumped aside just in time.

ATTEMPT ON LAP RECORD, MOTOR CYCLE
J. Baxter, 42⅕ sec.

SIDE CAR LAP RECORD
G. Lobwein, 54⅖ sec.

SIDE CAR HANDICAP (four laps).
F. Carey 1, G. Lobwein 2. Time, 4.22.

MOTOR CYCLE HANDICAP (four laps).
First heat: G. Reid 1, J. Baxter 2, W. Lunn 3. Time. 3.20.
Second: A. Elliott 1, L. Filshie 2, R. Hartman 3. Time, 3.30.
Final: A. Elliott 1, G. Reid 2, J. Baxter 3. Time, 3.21.

SPEED CAR HANDICAP (five laps)
K. Anderson (Woolsley) 1, C. Barron (Hudson) 2. Time, 4.34.
In a heat of the five-lap car handicap the steering gear of Don Timperley’s old model car failed. The car left the track and came to rest on top of a haystack (pictured above) situated at the edge of a grove of trees. If the car had gone a yard (.9m) to either side it, would have been smashed. It provided one of the unrehearsed thrills of the day.

The scratch man, Claude Barron, driving Hec. Collet’s big car, and K. Anderson, at the wheel of a smaller sports car, provided an exciting battle as they fought for the lead for four laps in the final of the second car handicap. Anderson had just sufficient speed to hold off Barron’s determined efforts to pass him.

MOTOR CYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP (two laps, flying start).
J. Baxter 1, L. Filshie 2, G. Reid 3. Time. 1.38.

MOTOR CYCLE HANDICAP (five laps).
First heat: L. Filshie 1, G. Lobwein 2, I. Hartman 3. Time, 4.14.
Second: A. Elliott 1, G. Reid 2, B. Waddell 3. Time, 4.17.
Final: L. Filshie 1, G. Lobwein 2, A. Elliott 3. Time 4.7.

MATCH RACE, speed car versus side-car (two laps).
T. Trevethan (speed car) 1, G. Lobwein (side-car) 2. Time. 1.50.
Theo Trevethan’s Ford V8 had too much acceleration and speed for G. Lobwein’s sidecar outfit.

IPSWICH AMATEUR WHEELERS THREE-QUARTER MILE (one lap) HANDICAP
V. Schulte 1, J. Doolan 2. S. Buckley 3, C. Shanks 4. Won by four lengths.

On December 15th, 1939, the first advance party of Australian troops embarked for the Middle East, marking the real start of military deployment abroad. Both Hec. and Dave enlisted; Hec. in June 1940, and Dave in January 1942.

Reference: Trove – National Library Australia