1978

In 1978, Blair Shepherd helped introduce organised BMX to Queensland through the creation of Windsor BMX and the Windsor BMX Youth Cycle Centre. After travelling to the United States with his son Scott and seeing BMX firsthand, Shepherd returned to Australia determined to build a proper home for the sport. The result was what is described as Australia’s first purpose-built BMX facility, at Windsor in Brisbane. Surviving period images of the track include photography credited to Roy Austin.

Drawing on his background as a world speedway champion and promoter, Shepherd brought a level of presentation and ambition that was far ahead of its time. The Windsor facility developed into a major centre for racing, featuring innovations such as floodlights, electronic lap timing, a mechanised start gate, grandstands, and formal race-official structures. Just as importantly, it created a safe and inclusive environment where young riders and families could gather around the new sport.

At the same time, Shepherd began importing specialist BMX parts from the United States through BMX International Pty Ltd, laying foundations for one of Australia’s longest-running BMX wholesale businesses. His promotion of Windsor BMX in 1978 helped establish Queensland as one of the key early growth centres of Australian bicycle motocross and set the platform for major events, touring American professionals, and the state’s booming BMX culture in the years that followed.

In 1978, Pat Dillon helped launch organised BMX racing in Victoria after being inspired by bicycle motocross magazines and stories brought back from the United States by his parents. With their encouragement, the fifteen-year-old printed promotional flyers, posted them around Melbourne, and staged what is remembered as Victoria's first BMX race meeting. Only six riders turned up to the first attempt, but when Dillon ran another meeting a month later, more than fifty riders arrived, including future figures such as Steve Cassap, Dave Cooper, and Jamie Hales.

Original poster design for the very first BMX race in Victoria survives from this period, dating from around mid 1978.

Those early meetings marked the beginning of BMX racing in Victoria. Publicity in the Melbourne Sun soon helped spread the word, and new tracks began appearing at Lalor, Waverley, and Frankston as the sport gathered momentum. Dillon also recognised early that riders needed access to proper BMX equipment, and with support from his parents began importing products himself. That small start grew into PRM Cycles, one of Australia's most important BMX retailers.

Dillon's influence extended far beyond those first meetings. He later played a central role in establishing South Eastern BMX Track and the famous PRM Cash Dash, while also building an elite riding career of his own. But his 1978 efforts stand as a defining foundation moment for Victorian BMX, helping open a major new front in the early spread of bicycle motocross across Australia.