Trip down memory track
The venue for what was once the home of motor sport on the East Rand has come crashing down - ending over 100 years of history.
Dunswart Stadium, which is based in Benoni, was demolished late last month.
The stadium, which was initially known as the Benoni Race Track, opened its gates in 1907, starting off as a horse racing track.
At the time, people were awestruck by the stadium’s sheer size in the small mining town of Benoni.
In 1970, the 7 000-seater stadium gained a 400m oval tarred track, granting motor sport thrill seekers and their families the opportunity of experiencing the state-of-the-art raceway.
The historic stadium and oval track was a breeding ground for young up-and-coming motor sport racers and world record holders.
Enrico Schoeman, commonly known as BB, and André de Kock, the incumbent motor sport editor at the Citizen, jointly hold the world record for the longest motorcycle ride through a tunnel of fire.
The duo spent many years perfecting their stunts at Dunswart Stadium.
Schoeman believes the world record, which was set in Limpopo, would not have been possible if it were not for Dunswart Stadium, as the idea for the world record originated at Dunswart Stadium.
He got involved at the stadium as a photographer in the early 90s, later became involved in PR and the organisation of races and finally, started racing Australian side-cars.
The demolition evoked sadness in Schoeman.
‘‘It’s very sad because it has been a landmark for so many years,’’ he said.
He keenly recalls the family vibe created when whole families of different generations helped one another to prepare cars for races.
The stadium was described as the top oval track in Transvaal in its prime and the home of motor sport by de Kock.
He said the circuit gave rise to side-car racing because the track was tarred.
He is saddened by the news of the stadium’s demolition, at it was once packed with spectators every Saturday.
‘‘It is really sad – I grew up there,” said de Kock.
‘‘In Standard Eight and Nine I hung out there and the race teams would let me carry their tools.”
He said the stadium is irreplaceable and he wished it could have been saved.
Clr Mary Goby said she is saddened by the stadium’s demolition, but hopes exciting things will happen in the area it once occupied.
