Sprintcar great Gary Patterson (promoted in Australia as "The Hostile Hippy"), who proved to be unbeatable on nearly every occasion. Other US stars to race at Tralee were Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, 1975 and 1976 USAC National Midget Champion Ron "Sleepy" Tripp, Larry Rice, and Mel Kenyon. Three time Speedway World Champion Ole Olsen from Denmark was a visitor to the speedway. Bitumen and back to Clay In the 1974 the track was surfaced with bitumen. This changed the nature of the racing, producing faster lap speeds but less exciting racing. It also restricted the classes of racing that could be held at the speedway, and a motorcycle track was built into the infield so that bikes were still able to run at the speedway. With crowds not as big as hoped, the bitumen was dug up after the 1977/78 season and the track reverted to a clay surface, suitable for cars but still not for bikes which still used the infield track until that was removed in 1980. Following the removal of the infield track, bikes raced on the main track. To coincide with the change in track surface in 1974, Tralee Speedway was renamed as the Fraser Park Raceway. The Speedway hosted the ACT Solo Championship on occasions during the 1980s. Future Australian Solo Champion and 1990 World Finalist Todd Wiltshire won his first senior Speedway championships winning the ACT title in 1987 and 1988 at Tralee. Tralee Speedway also hosted the Australian Formula 500 Championship in both 1979 and 1988. The 1979 event was won by William Broadwood of Western Australia, while NSW driver Lloyd Thorley won his 3rd and last national title at the speedway in 1988. As a result of many washed out nights due to unseasonable rain and noise restrictions imposed after constant complaints from nearby Hume residents, the track closed in 1997. Future Today, Tralee Speedway complex is long closed and will be part of a new suburban development. Speedway in Canberra is now held at the ACT Speedway located south east of the Canberra Airport in Fairbairn, though unlike Tralee the ACT Speedway rarely hosts national championship meetings. External links Gary Patterson Tralee memorial Facebook page Motorsport venues in the Australian Capital Territory Motorsport venues in New South Wales Defunct speedway venues in Australia Defunct motorsport venues in Australia Sports venues completed in 1970