Spirit of Speed DVD. October 2007

'Spirit of Speed' is a recent DVD release from Australian production company, Blue Range Studio, that uses rare photographs and film footage to provide a tremendous insight into Australia's rich history of motorcycling competition, covering 1901 to 1965.

Noted Australian motorcycling historians, Jim Scaysbrook and Rob Saward put the footage in context with their commentary, but even greater insight is given thanks to interviews with many of the personalities who actually lived much of this history.
Local motorcycling luminaries, the likes of Bert Flood, Neil Street, Lindsay Urquhart, Max 'Atom' Rathbone and Ray Owen provide some insightful, and at times amusing, comments on the classic era of motorcycling competition in Australia.

Spirit of Speed is introduced by Wayne Gardner, who rides his prized Australian-made 1925 Waratah motorcycle in the film's opening sequence.
Each chapter then looks at certain periods of Australian motorcycle competition history: from the earliest days at the turn of the 20th Century; throught the post-WWI boom period that saw the creation of Sydney's Maroubra Speedway and Melbourne's Motordrome race circuits. Jack Booth's record-setting exploits are also covered in this period.

From there, Spirit of Speed covers a diversity of events throughout the '30s: hillclimbs, scrambles, grass track & more, including footage from the early days of Phillip Island (when it was little more than gravel tracks!) and the 1936 Reliability Trial.
Post-WWII, Spirit of Speed showcases some fascinating footage of racing at Fishermen's Bend, Ballarat Park and other circuits consigned to history. Australian campaigns at the Isle of Man TT are also covered.

With most of the material sourced through private collections, the majority of footage used in Spirit of Speed has remained largely unseen until now.
If you're a fan of classic racing machinery, you'll find plenty to enjoy with this DVD. Even those with only a passing interest in our motorcycling heritage will find much to inform, amuse and amaze in Spirit of Speed.

Full credit must go to producer/ director Darren Jones for putting this DVD together, as well as Motorcycling Australia & Penrite Oils who assisted in making it a reality. The DVD was so well received during its official launch at Melbourne's ACMI centre in August that a 'volume 2' was already being discussed!
Spirit of Speed is available direct from Blue Range Studios for $34.95 including post & packing anywhere in Australia. A special '3 for 2' offer is also available for a limited time. See the website www.bluerangestudio.com.au for further details.