The newest Australian Speedway Hall of Famers

The annual Australian Speedway Hall of Fame and Awards night saw some of the sport’s best get recognised.

Emotions were high as all the big names gathered at the Gala Dinner at Brisbane’s Star Casino last week.

All up, five legends were inducted into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame, while six industry awards and competitor awards were presented in front of a 200-strong crowd.

The new Hall of Fame inductees for 2025 were Tom Watson Snr (Speedcars, WA) Allan Blake (Sedans, WA) Steve Robinson (Drit Modified, NSW) Stuart Herne (Dirt Modified, NSW) and Sid Middlemas (Speedcars, NSW). 

Volunteer of the Year Adam Currie with Mc Bennie Bishop. Image: Skene Media

Receiving some of the biggest cheers was Queenslander Joel Berkley.

The Maryborough-based sedan racer received the top honour of Overall Sportsperson of the Year.

In one of the most dramatic finals seen in many years, Berkley was crowned as the new SSA Super Sedan National Champion.

Berkley’s “Sportsperson of the Year” honour backed up his “Sedan Competitor of the Year” win.

James McFadden won almost everything possible in a highly successful summer racing for the WA-based Brady Motorsport in the sprintcars.

Having won the Australian Sprintcar title and Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, McFadden had a summer to remember.

As a result, the veteran was named as the Open Wheel Competitor of the Year.

After hosting sprintcars for the first time in decades, Bordertown’s Tolmer Speedway was recognised as the most improved track.

Richard Hathaway photographed all areas of Perth Motorplex. image: Richard Hathaway Photography

Perth Motorplex carried on its mantle as being the benchmark for racing in Australia as it retained the title of “Track of the Year” for a third straight season, having hosted the High Limit International for the first time.

A key part of the numerous events held at Perth was skilful snapper Richard Hathaway.

Hathaway was named as the Photographer of the Year for a second season in a row and Auto Action readers have enjoyed his impressive pics across the journey.

Despite the occasional hurdle, nothing was going to get in the way of Hathaway’s passion for shooting speedway.

“You don’t shoot for awards, I shoot for the sport, but I do appreciate the recognition,” Hathaway told Auto Action.

“The show Gavin (Migro) puts on at the Motorplex makes what I do very easy and I did not overshoot I suppose.

“The Classic will always be the Knoxville as the Motorplex will be the equivalent to Eldora.

“Congratulations to all the award winners. I was just watching the hall of famers in awe with those stories. 

“I get more of a kick listening to them.”

Full list of 2025 Australian Speedway Hall of Fame award winners

2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

Tom Watson Snr – SPEEDCARS, WA

Allan Blake – SEDANS, WA

Steve Robinson – DIRT MODIFIED, NSW

Stuart Herne – DIRT MODIFIED, NSW

Sid Middlemas – SPEEDCARS, NSW

Photographer of the Year – Richard Hathaway – WA

Finalists – Zach Phelan – NSW, Nakita Pollock – NT

Marshal/Volunteer of the Year – Adam Currie – SA

Finalists – Pam Franz – QLD, Jerome Sutton – WA

Media/Group/Outlet of Year – Dean Neal – Night Thunder

Finalists – Ben Jordan – Hour of Power, Cody Smith – Codeman Racing

Innovation/Promotional Item/Event of the Year – NAPA Speedway – Sprintcars in the City

Finalists – Perth Motorplex – High Limit International, South Burnett Speedway Club – Kings Royal

Track of the Year – Perth Motorplex – WA

Finalists – Murray Bridge Speedway – SA, Toowoomba Speedway – QLD

Most Improved Track of the Year – Tolmer Speedway – SA

Finalists – Manjimup Speedway – WA, Alexandra & District Speedway – VIC

Karting Competitor of the Year – Cody Malley (VIC)

Finalists – Kai Malley (VIC), Ashleigh Moller (QLD)

Modified Competitor of the Year – Kevin Britten – V8 Dirt Modifieds & AMCA Nationals (QLD)

Finalists – David Clark – V8 Dirt Modifieds (QLD), Rob Rawlings – Legend Cars (NSW)

Open Wheel Competitor of the Year – James McFadden – Sprintcars (VIC)

Finalists – Jock Goodyer – Sprintcars (TAS), Tyson Martin – Wingless Sprints (SA)

Junior Competitor of the Year – Harrison Beres – SSA Junior Sedans (WA)

Finalists – Rusty Ponting – Junior Formula 500’s (VIC), Cody Malley – SKKA Karts Junior, Junior Formula 500’s (VIC)

Sedan Competitor of the Year – Joel Berkley – SSA Super Sedans, SSA Modified Sedans, SSA Prod Sedans (QLD)

Finalists – Jamie Oldfield – Late Models, SSA Street Stocks, SSA Modified Sedans (WA)

Nathan Macdonald – SSA Modified Sedans, SSA Prod Sedans (QLD)

Overall Sportsperson of the Year – Joel Berkley – SSA Super Sedans, SSA Modified Sedans, SSA Prod Sedans (QLD)

Finalists – James McFadden – Sprintcars (VIC), Jock Goodyer – Sprintcars (TAS)

Main image: Richard Hathaway Photography

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