This is how Onslow Speedway looked in April, 2005 when Gordon Wilson visited it and October, 2013 when Ernie Pothier stopped by.
Although the track had been closed for 14 years when Gordon shot his photos, the property looked well maintained. The grandstands were gone but the front wall and fence were intact. There were still guardrails and tire barriers. The infield, pits and spectator areas were kept trimmed and track surface was intact. Overall, it looked like the track could be put back in racing shape without too much effort. There were even rumours in 2004-05 that the track may re-open. In the eight years until Ernie's visit, things changed dramatically. The front wall, fence, guardrail and most of the tires were gone. The pits and infied were grown over with brush and weeds were growing through the track. Any hope of re-opening the track seems remote.
A Lap Around Onslow Speedway
2013 - At the start / finish line, looking toward corner 1. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Approaching corner 1. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Entering corner 1. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Entering corner 2. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Going through corner 2. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - At the exit of corner 2, looking down the back straight. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Down the back straight, nearing corner 3. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - In corner 3, looking into corner 4. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - In corner 4. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - At the exit of corner 4, looking up the front straight. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
Other Photos
2013 - Gate at the access road leading to the track. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Road leading to the pits.Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Spectator concession stand.Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Pit area.Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Entrance to the track from the pits in corner 4. You are looking toward the pit area.Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Exit to from the track to the pits in corner 3. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - At the start / finish line, looking back toward corner 4. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - Corner 3-4 from the back straight. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2013 - At corner 3, looking back down the back straight. Courtesy of Ernie Pothier.
2005 - The front wall and fence. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - The tire barrier on the outside of corner 1. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Starter's stand. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Several of the spectator buildings. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Entrance to the pits from the track at corner 3. Compare with the photo above to see how much more overgrown it was in 2013. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Wide view of corner 3-4. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Another view of the front wall and fence. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Entrance to the track from the pits at corner 4. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Another view of the spectator buildings. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Guardrail at corner 3-4. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
2005 - Corner 3 - looking up the back straight from the entrance to the pits. Courtesy of Gordon Wilson.
