Certificate of Appreciation Recognises Long-term Contribution to Vintage Speedway

Certificate of Appreciation presented to Kerry Phelan, Founder and Secretary of Gasworks Motorsport Inc

At the 33rd Vintage Speedway Meeting held at Illabo Motorsport Park on May 16, 2026, NSW Vintage Speedcar Association Vice President Gavin Liebrand presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Gasworks Motorsport Founder and Secretary, Mr Kerry Phelan, in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the preservation and promotion of vintage speedway racing in New South Wales.

The certificate reads:

NSW Vintage Speedcar Association

Certificate of Appreciation

Presented to

Kerry Phelan

In recognition of your outstanding hard work and

continued support towards the NSW Vintage Speedcar Association.

Your commitment and passion have made a lasting contribution to our club

and the preservation of the vintage speedcar movement.

With sincere appreciation and thanks.

Presented this 16th day of May

John Campbell – President

Gavin Liebrand – Vice President

Certificate of Appreciation presented to Kerry Phelan, Founder and Secretary of Gasworks Motorsport Inc

The Story Behind the Recognition

The origins of this recognition can be traced back to 2011 when Kerry Phelan, a long-time speedway enthusiast and newly joined member of the NSW Vintage Speedcar Association, relocated from Sydney to Illabo.

After settling into the district, Kerry recognised the potential of the available Crown Land within the Illabo Showground Precinct and began exploring the possibility of developing a dedicated venue to support the growing Vintage Speedway movement.

Building a race track, however, was only part of the challenge. Before proceeding, Kerry sought assurance that the Vintage Speedway community would support such a project. He approached the NSW Vintage Speedcar Association Committee with his proposal and received a simple but powerful response:

“If you build the track, we will support it.”

With that commitment behind him, work commenced on what would eventually become Illabo Motorsport Park.

The journey involved securing approval from the Illabo Showground Land Manager, obtaining Development Consent from Junee Shire Council, meeting numerous compliance requirements, and establishing a not-for-profit incorporated club (Gasworks Motorsport Inc) to operate and manage the facility.

Funding was another challenge. With no start-up capital available, Kerry approached three members of the NSW Vintage Speedcar Association who joined him in contributing to an initial track development budget of approximately $4,000.

The next phase involved securing support from local businesses to provide materials, equipment and services needed for construction. A shortage of labour was overcome through assistance provided by inmates from the Junee Correctional Centre (at the time operated by GEO), who collectively contributed in excess of 4,000 man-hours between 2013 and 2015.

Their efforts, combined with those of numerous volunteers and supporters, enabled the project to meet the stringent safety standards required for licensing. Final track approval was granted in March 2015, with the inaugural Vintage Speedway meeting held the following month.

Today, Illabo Motorsport Park celebrates more than eleven years of successful operation and has become one of Australia's premier venues dedicated to Vintage Speedway competition. The facility now hosts five Vintage Speedway and Speedway Kart meetings annually and is supported by an extremely proactive and actively involved volunteer workforce of more than 50 club members and officials.

The Certificate of Appreciation presented by the NSW Vintage Speedcar Association acknowledges not only Kerry's vision and determination but also the collective efforts of the many volunteers, competitors, officials, supporters and community organisations that have contributed to the ongoing success of Illabo Motorsport Park and the preservation of Australia's rich Vintage Speedway heritage.

Photos: Leanne Boardman