Spectator has a lucky escape at Speedway

Spectators narrowly avoided serious injury at this year’s Shinju Speedway Stampede after a “freak accident” occurred during a race.

Resident Colin Kenworthy said he had a lucky escape when a starter motor part fell off a racing car and flew through the safety fence before smashing into the window of his car.

The object, which came out of the starter motor from one of the registered vehicles, had fallen onto the track unnoticed during a race on Saturday, September 17.

Mr Kenworthy, who attended the event with a group of children, said it was fortunate no one was injured.

“The missile penetrated the safety fence and narrowly missed bystanders,” he said.

The children were sitting on the roof of Mr Kenworthy’s vehicle when the object struck a window.

Mr Kenworthy said he reported the incident to Speedway’s chief steward and secretary and left his email address and contact number with them. However, Mr Kenworthy said he had not yet received a reply from the club.

When contacted by the Broome Advertiser, Broome Speedway’s chief steward Sherele Brown declined to comment. However, Speedway deputy president Brent Halliday said Mr Kenworthy was told to email the organisation.

Mr Halliday said he was not aware of the incident until a few days later, and called it a freak accident.

“I’ve been involved in Speedway for my entire life and I’ve never seen anything come through the fence except for dirt,” he said.

“Our safety is up to every specification under the Speedway Association.

“We’re graded every year, and pride ourselves on safety. There’s nothing more we could have done.”

Mr Halliday said the club understood the incident was serious and Mr Kenworthy was “not being ignored”.