VAILO lights up the Tolmer Speedway

Tolmer Speedway, at Bordertown in South Australia’s South East, has undergone a major upgrade that has seen it transform into a state-of-the-art track for major speedway events.

The $3 million-plus redevelopment, funded by the Tatiara District Council, South Australian Government, Tolmer Speedway Club and local and state business donations, has resulted in a complete overhaul of the track to ensure it can host national events for decades to come.

The upgrades included the removal of the old track, widening and reshaping of the new track, a new wall and catch fence, a new underground service, and an upgrade of switchboards, signal lights and track lighting.

With lighting an essential element of any speedway track, the Tolmer Speedway Club engaged Australian sports lighting manufacturer, VAILO, to provide its lighting system, installing its cutting-edge luminaires.

VAILO developed a custom design for the track to achieve an average of more than 600 horizontal lux using 56 of its Zenith Gen V fittings across 14 outer and two inner track poles.

The LED lighting system features DMX-controlled technology, offering both dimming and fully programmable light-show functionality thanks to Bluebottle, which has programmed light shows for the track.

Bordertown Pumps and Refrigeration Director, Patrick Merrett, said the new lighting was the most advanced at any track in the country.

"VAILO has set the standard for speedway lighting in Australia, providing the latest technology to ensure optimal visibility for participants and spectators," Mr Merrett said.

Mr Merrett highlighted the impact of the DMX control, calling it a "game-changer" for the Australian speedway scene, enhancing the overall event experience.

"As a racer myself, I understand the importance of top-quality lighting on the track and the end result is nothing short of perfect," Mr Merrett said.

VAILO CEO and Founder Aaron Hickmann emphasised the significance of this project in the context of speedway's growing popularity in Australia.

"Speedway is huge in the USA, and as a sports lighting company, we've seen increasing interest in speedway here in Australia over the past year," Mr Hickmann said.

“We look forward to working on more speedway projects and seeing this exciting motorsport continue to grow.”

The track upgrade was a community effort, with local volunteers, businesses, and even high school students contributing to the construction of the wall during their school holidays.

Mr Merrett said the new facility would be exciting for the South East, bringing local and speedway communities together.

"The upgrade provides a modern and safe facility for competitive racing, attracting tourism and boosting the local economy,” Mr Merrett said.

Tolmer Speedway will host its first major event on Friday, December 27, as part of the Sprintcar Speedweek.

To find out more about Tolmer Speedway, click here. To view the new track and preview its lighting program, click here.