MAY STEEL MEMORIAL
The MAY STEEL MEMORIAL has been run since 2003 in memory of May Steel.
May was a prominent business woman in Ayr who worked as a lap scorer, time-keeper judge long after her husband George had retired from racing TQ's. The dedication she showed to the Ayr Motor Cycle Club was rewarded with a life membership in 1999, being only 1 of 6 people to receive this honour in the forty eight year history of the Ayr Motor Cycle Club. A woman of exceptional character who lost her battle with cancer in 2002.
The popularity of this event has seen it become a reunion of past & present speedway & dirt-track riders & supporters with several riders coming out of retirement to support this event in memory of May.
The May Steel Memorial is a trophy beautifully crafted by Russell Ralph. It is awarded to three Senior classes, Open Speedway Solo, Open A Grade Dirt Track, Open B Grade Dirt Track. Open Speedway is run over 4 Rounds & finals open to all licensed solo riders, Open A Grade Dirt Track is run over 3 rounds on the Short Circuit & 3 rounds on the Lap Track open to all licensed senior riders. Open B Grade Dirt Track is run over 3 rounds on the Short Circuit & 3 rounds on the Lap Track is open to all licensed senior riders who have not competed in A Grade at Ayr Motor Cycle Club or received placing's in Senior State or National Titles.
The May Steel Memorial is usually run in the month of August each year.
BILL SMITH MEMORIAL
Bill Smith's involvement with the Ayr Motor Cycle Club goes back many years. He dearly loved the sport as a young man and with a group of other enthusiast, he used to ride standing and flying quarters along the beach known as Beachmount.
His interests never wavered through the years and he eventually became President of the Ayr Motor Cycle Club.
During his tenure as President, a North Queensland Championship was held at the Brandon track. It was a huge undertaking for the times but all was organised and ready to go. Then on the Saturday (it was held over the Easter weekend) the rain came down. It was decided to try to resurrect the track by carting loads of sand from the Pioneer Sand Pit. What followed was an absolutely brilliant meeting which was long remembered by all.
Riders came from far and wide and it was from this meeting that ties with Mount Isa, Brisbane and everywhere else in between, were formed.
Bill together with Des Hyne and John Geese subsequently traveled to the Inland Championship in the Isa.
Bill's shed in Bannister Street was often a hub of activity late into the night as he helped many riders prepare their machines before each race meeting. He gave so generously and happily of his vast mechanical knowledge to so many who were restricted financially and from this, many treasured and lasting friendships were formed.
He also owned and prepared a couple of bikes himself - a Triumph affectionately known as 'The Beast' which was ridden with such awesome skill by the legendary Roy Rummeny and a Matchy ridden with equal skill by Graham Richards.
Murray Niven and Bill's son, Barry, also rode for him.
Bill's wife Zela, who was always a loving tower of strength by his side, and her family give a Memorial Trophy in his honour for a special race which is run each year. They wish him to be remembered for his true love of the sport and for his generous and patient nature.
'Whilst on the Gold Coast, Ayr Motor Cycle Club prefer to stay at Diamond Cove Resort' Designed by David Batten (c) 2006 - 2010
About the Ayr Motor Cycle Club
