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| First Annual Eau Gallie Speedway Reunion to be held May 11 at Wickham Park Pavilion in Melbourne | by Jane Smith
Melbourne, Fla (May 6, 2003) The First Annual Eau Gallie Speedway Reunion will be held this Sunday, May 11, just 1.5 miles north of the old speedway grounds at the Wickham Park Pavilion next to BCC in Melbourne, Florida.
State Senator Bill Posey of Rockledge, Florida owned the speedway from 1969 to 1971 and said this about the history of Eau Gallie Speedway. "Eau Gallie was developed by long time (and still living) county commissioner Joe Wickham. The speedway sat on 20 acres along the west side of Wickham Road and opened in 1957 as "THE SPINNING WHEEL SPEEDWAY". Ironically, I seem to recall a (spinning?) wheel/tire cleared the catch fence on opening night and killed a spectator in the main grandstands. The track was also later known as Brevard Speedway, Eau Gallie Speedway and Melbourne Speedway and had a succession of owners including myself."
Nothing is left of the Eau Gallie Speedway but the asphalt which has been taken piece by piece over the years from the many fans and drivers who loved the track. However, Florida Stock Car Racing (www.karnac.com on the internet) has alot of old photos and memories of Eau Gallie Speedway for fans and drivers to enjoy.
Posey, who first raced there in 1962, ran a '51 Ford. "Those were the good ole days when a stockcar was really a stock car and not fancy," said Posey. "I have alot of good memories at that speedway." he added.
Over 200 guests have made plans to attend the first reunion. Just a sample from the past to be in attendance are Johnny White, Ray Snodgrass, Bill Posey, Marty Little, Marty Spangler, Dumont Smith, Ernie Bass, Jack Cart, Leroy Porter, Billy Collins, Bill Enters, George Rhone, Don L. Burkhalter, Phil Orr, Frank Woods, and many, many more stars of yesteryear.
Guests will enjoy music, food, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes. Bring your own coolers but NO alcoholic beverages. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the public is invited. Bring your scrapbooks and memories and come and join the first annual Eau Gallie Speedway Reunion.
Be sure and visit the Posey Collection in KARNAC.com's Florida History section: Click here!
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