For young motocross enthusiasts like 12-year-old Lennox Connelly, the Echo Park circuit in Newman offers something truly special. “It’s really unique,” Lennox explains, his eyes bright with enthusiasm as he talks about the track, which he navigates on his vibrant red 85cc dirt bike. “The big bends and the jumps into the bowls, and the step downs are really cool.”
What makes it even better is its prime location – right on their doorstep. The dusty course winds its way up a spinifex-covered hill just outside the Pilbara mining community, a significant journey of approximately 1,170 kilometres north-east of Perth. For Lennox and his mates, the prospect of a local track is a game-changer. “We’ve been travelling ever since we started,” Lennox shares. “Having a track right there is going to be the best thing ever because we can wake up from our beds, have a normal brekkie — bacon and eggs — and then go ride.”
Lennox, along with his friends Harley Ross, 11, and Marley Jackson, 14, have endured travel times of up to 12 hours to participate in motocross events. Now, nearly half a decade after their local club unfortunately folded due to insolvency, there’s a strong movement to bring these passionate young riders back to the familiar, sweeping turns of Echo Park.
However, the path to revival is fraught with challenges. Vandalism and a series of severe wet seasons have taken a significant toll on the grounds, which once hosted hundreds of motorsport fans. The damage is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. “It’s quite sad because you get people that’ll come out and trash it, and it just ruins it for all of us people that are trying to train for the upcoming season,” Lennox laments. “So yeah, it’ll be cool to see it up and running again, people there watching.”
A Glimpse into the Past
Stepping inside the clubhouse paints a poignant picture of what once was. Chequered flags still adorn the walls above the bar, expired condiments gather dust on the refrigerator shelves, and empty trophy cabinets stand as silent witnesses to past glories. Michael Heard, a dedicated member of the Newman community, explains the current state of affairs. “Everything has been left as [it was] the day that it was shut up,” he says. “All of our fridges are damaged; all of our memorabilia, our trophies, are all missing.”
The infrastructure has also suffered. The lights no longer function, as the copper conductors from the switchboard were stolen for scrap metal. Mr Heard is part of a determined group of Newman residents working tirelessly to restore the beloved motocross club.
The Road to Dissolution and Rebirth
The club’s closure in 2021 was a difficult period, brought on by financial strains exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating insurance costs. The lease for the land subsequently reverted to the Shire of East Pilbara. Mr Heard, who has now taken on the role of club president, notes that much of the damage occurred after the Shire assumed responsibility for the site.
“It’s really frustrating because it’s now work we have to put back into it, and it’s through no fault of a committee or club,” he expresses, highlighting the disheartening reality of the situation. “It’s just been left as almost a hidden eyesore in Newman to the side of town that people forget exists.”
When approached for comment, Shire president Anthony Middleton stated he was unaware of the club’s current condition. “Unfortunately, that’s what happens around every region, not just here,” he commented. “These clubs that are out in the sticks or away from where there’s regular public … kids will always be kids, so it’s hard to try and manage that.” He did, however, encourage the newly reformed club to apply for community grants to support their revival efforts. Mr Heard estimates the restoration could cost upwards of $100,000. “We’re committed to doing the work that’s needed, getting out there, fundraising, getting new members, people from town out to help,” he asserts.
A Pilbara Tradition Rekindled
Blaine Tucker, a long-time Newman resident, fondly recalls the club’s vibrant past. He joined in 2015 and remembers the days when the track attracted riders from across the region. “We’d get riders here from Broome and Karratha, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Tom Price,” he says.
“It’s not just about the racing, it’s also having another club in town where people can come down and be a part of it and make friends, friends for life, learn some skills, and spend time with their kids.” Mr Tucker emphasised the club’s crucial role in Newman, a town heavily reliant on the iron ore industry, which draws a significant number of mechanically inclined individuals. “We are a mining town, so it does attract a lot of trades and people that like raw horsepower,” he notes.
In a positive development, at the end of February, the shire council voted to return the lease of the land to the motocross club. Mr Heard’s vision extends beyond merely restoring the club to its former glory; he aims to create a safe and engaging environment for the town’s youth. Newman has, unfortunately, experienced one of the highest rates of youth offending in Western Australia. “To be able to offer young kids … a safe place, somewhere they can learn a skill, compete against other young people, is so important for small towns like Newman,” he states.
Lennox Connelly, now four years into his motocross journey, wholeheartedly agrees. “There’s so much dirt and area to do it, why not do it?” he questions, embodying the hopeful spirit driving the Echo Park revival.
