Abandoned - Thunderdome race way!

#muitube #Abandoned
Here we go!
Spur of the moment explore around the old thunderdome race way
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Im Scott of Muitube. I live in Melbourne , Australia. I film abandoned locations and vlogs in between.
I shoot all my videos with :
Canon 70D
Sigma 20mm lens
Sony RX100
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Joby 3 K kit

[@devjlboy]

Abandoned and still has better roads then my city

[@geoffreyholland328]

Than

[@warhorse5152]

You can probably still race there

[@jayw900]

Than*

[@hammerheadracingmedia3823]

Dam

[@maskiiofficial3345]

Better than my entire COUNTY

[@brettduffin8412]

My dad took me and my brother to the first Auscar race here. We sat in the infield. I was about 14. Dad is now dead and I am 44. Feels like yesterday.

[@slantedperspective]

Oh wow

[@matthewkent6258]

That sounds awesome were y'all close enough to see the wrecked cars on the wrecker or being towed away ?

[@brettduffin8412]

@@matthewkent6258 wow, absolutely we were. There was one wreck at the opposite end. It was towed back later and we saw it up close from the infield fence. Weird how you knew this detail which i remembered well from the time.

[@matthewkent6258]

@@brettduffin8412 if it's ok what year did your father pass ?

[@brettduffin8412]

@@matthewkent6258 2002.

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

What a waste... Bob Jane deserves better, he put his heart and soul into building this. It was sad to see the way this great Australian was treated just before his passing. The disputes with his family made his life a misery. RIP Bob

[@Staggy33]

Just proves that the racing community gets no support govt wise. If the personal funds arent there then there are no facilities like this. Just the same as the 'International Raceway' at virginia in south australia.

[@campcreekhill8933]

He also put a lot of used tyres in the banks and the mounds around the place....

[@AudioJellyfish]

I knew him, he wasn't that nice a guy mate.

[@swifty_playz9317]

2023 Calder park reopens

[@JestaBl1tz]

@@AudioJellyfish He fucked the drags in SA, we have nothing =/

[@alexwalter3563]

The outside isn't well kept but the inside looks like they just mowed yesterday lol

[@michaelcanney7218]

@NoGoodAtGaming then it's not abandoned

[@xsvnz]

Nothing 20 or 30 million dollars wont fix. Good on you Bob for having a crack RIP

[@thethirdman225]

Apparently there's a lot of asbestos there that made it not worth cleaning up.

[@generalwaste2062]

@@thethirdman225 Yeah the good old fashioned 'bury asbestos under the hill, it'll never be an issue'. That's why they're finding asbestos at brookvale oval in sydney, I reckon anything built before 1990 will have the same issue.

[@richardcatchlove9115]

Sadly I was one of those who supported and backed Bob Jane’s determination. I was there, I assisted. I say sadly, as Bob’s dream was correct, only 20 years too early. Here we had no live TV of NASCAR, to support Bob’s belief that NASCAR In Australia would work. I’m glad was there. Very sad.

[@MuiTube]

Oh wow! Yeah I never thought of that. Wonder if it would have worked today!

[@helixworld]

I have no idea why you think it was 20 years early. Do you know any type of Motorsport that is actually gaining popularity anywhere in the world?

[@SvenTviking]

NASCAR is dying in the US. We had the same thing in the UK with the Rockingham oval. Luckily, they built an infield track using a section of the oval, so the track is still in use, just not for NASCAR or Indycar.

[@AntTheMeepasaur]

@@SvenTviking Even the infield layout isn't going to be used anymore, apparently the site is going to become a logistics hub thing now. A shame, really.

[@dannywilsher4165]

@@helixworld Drag Racing!!!

[@deanarmstrong6076]

100,000 people saw gunsnroses there , I was one of them

[@MuiTube]

Wow! I’ve read a couple of books on guns and roses. Sounded like a mental time!!!

[@deanarmstrong6076]

It was an epic day , it was really hot then it pissed down with rain , people were using the embankments as giant mud slides .

[@deanarmstrong6076]

Skid row played as well

[@dsmith8984]

I was there that day but the concert wasn’t inside the Thunderdome, it was on the infield of the normal racetrack which also has the drag strip as part of the racetrack.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

@@dsmith8984 Where the hell is this "normal racetrack/drag strip"", in relation to the Thunderdome? Beyond Thunderdome, would be the only logical location. Is Tina Turner the Ticket Taker?

[@TracksideViews]

Too bad this didn’t work out. Would be incredible if nascar had a yearly race here.

[@Skippy-id9yt]

@Boxing Bro f1 do it every year!

[@Skippy-id9yt]

@Boxing Bro soo....you were wrong so now you crap on about something that had nothing to do with what I said....Well Done ....your a troll, im not American And I love Nascar.....and No-one outside Europe really gives a shit about F1 its just an event like a circus .its exiting when it comes to town but outside of that who gives a shit ......👍 onya mate , knew you'd understand

[@dancraver3815]

There is no money for entertainment for the average middle working class now if drug dealers and corrupt politicians and cops like racing it would be different

[@Staggy33]

Spot on.

[@CrazyWhiteVanDriver]

100% addicts use dealers deal bikies traffic cops protect judges make money politicians make legislation and get paid. vicious circle. gaols make money too. big business. Sad world we live in.

[@davidprasad290]

CrazyWhiteVanDriver %100

[@priestleyharker4046]

They should film another mad max in there, return to thunder dome

[@shanehurenkamp50]

RIP Bob Jane , a legend

[@MuiTube]

True that!

[@johnnyallen2090]

Sure thing Shane I went there once whilst working in Melb . Here's something a few people may not know. Bob Jane used to put on free buses to and from the city for the fans, It was fantastic especially for out of towners like me . God bless you Bob Jane .....we miss you

[@TheMitchbassman]

Wow a person with both a mans name and a womans name! Bob Jane

[@johnnyallen2090]

I have never heard of any woman in Aust called Bob .........

[@lordexplores]

I like how the plants are sitting in the stands XD That place is unbelievable. Looks like it could easily be re purposed or used again for a race track.

[@MuiTube]

Yeah it’s still used as a drift track every so often.

[@alextegg3838]

It’s not abandoned by any stretch of the imagination. There are drag events there on a lot of weekends. The oval track wasn’t used for a while but it was resurfaced and is used for drift meets.

[@Falkirion]

Still used for club and some national level events. Drift mostly on the oval these days, drags over on the drag strip and I think the MX5 Victoria club still use the track occasionally too

[@W0rp3D]

Over the years residential housing has gotten closer and closer to the track so there is also noise complains they have to deal with, the whole complex has been for sale many times, eventually everything will be bulldozed and turned into house's.

[@Thiswasmeanttobeeasy]

Phillip Island was this run down once, look at it now. Calder can be saved.

[@sash7759]

Thiswasmeanttobeeasy I don’t think so have you seen the drag strip is worse than the race track

[@campcreekhill8933]

They built houses too close to it and the dumbasses who bought a house next to a race track complained of the noise🙄 can’t fix stupid

[@michaeldean4704]

@@campcreekhill8933 We have the same kind of stupid here in the States. Move next a race track, then complain about race car noise. Move next to an airport, then complain about airplane noise. They should have a special kind of lockup for that kind of stupid.

[@TotoDG]

Possibly. No hope for Oran Park, though.

[@zoomosis]

@@TotoDG Or Amaroo Park.

[@gm16v149]

Hell. I had no idea the place was abandoned like that. We saw the first NASCAR race there, doesn’t seem like 30 years ago. I used to like the Nascars better than Auscars because they really howled around the banking, looked better and were faster. Also we went to drag races when they had Top Fuellers running. Such a shame it closed. I think they had a conflict with ANDRA which finished drag racing. Government spends a fortune (our money) on shit like tennis and football but nothing on motorsport.

[@thethirdman225]

Motorsport doesn't get anything like the patronage to warrant the expense. But in case you missed it, the Australian Grand Prix funs entirely on public funds and TV rights.

[@mathewsammut7537]

The track itself is still in use today That hold Drifting and other small track day stuff there. But yes the grandstands are abound. NASCAR (Auscar) as we Nelmes it never really took off in Australia sadly. There is also a full length drag strip and national level race circuit that are still housed most weekends. But is sadly a shadow if it’s former place.

[@michaelhall736]

I'm glad to see it's not completely abandoned.

[@Acreyman]

Yeah it definitely looks like the infield lawn is trimmed and the track is definitely in good shape. Not abandoned entirely.

[@SS-kz7td]

I wondered how it looked in such good shape compared to North Wilkesboro. I realize North Carolina has more inclement weather, but that track looks in great shape. Thanks for sharing that!

[@TravisMSimpson]

You can thank the France family for tricking Bob into building a race track that would host points races after 1988. Now they are destroying the sport as fast as they can. -viewer from North Carolina, USA.

[@MuiTube]

Thanks for the info!

[@TravisMSimpson]

@@MuiTube You're welcome. My dad said you did a great job on the video adding in the race audio. Rockingham Motor Speedway in the UK also fell victim to the France family, they track will be demolished after the 2019 season. They also promised similar to Japan and now Motegi Superspeedway sits abandoned (Earthquake didn't help) and they were thinking about coning China.

[@MuiTube]

Travis M Simpson tell your dad thanks for support! I’ll have to do some research into them! Sounds very interesting

[@TravisMSimpson]

@@MuiTube Whom is the topic of reasearch?

[@MuiTube]

Travis M Simpson the France family you spoke of

[@messerwong]

So Sad , what a great place it was, Nascar, Auscars, HQs, reckon I seen the 1st Aussie racing cars there on a shorten course, miss it

[@creative-and-code]

Best one yet. Great mix between old sounds and vision with current. Awesome.

[@MuiTube]

Thanks mate!!!

[@LoydChampion]

I was with one for the teams in 1987 that went over to the first race there. Nice facility. Looks like it could come back to life without a ton of work. Great racing there as well... sad to see it like this, hope it can come back someday.

[@paulmartinic7552]

As an Aussie racer and motorsport fan, I'm finding lost tracks in the USA fascinating as I look more into these lost goldmines. I wish we had the same history and opportunities here in Australia.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Odd how the seating area and the announcers booth look like something out of the post apocalypse, but the track and the infield almost looks like it's ready to go.

[@shanehurenkamp50]

They still use the thunderdome for driver training courses but there hasn't been a race meeting for years.

[@MuiTube]

Yeah it’s like a zombie film!

[@Xander_1709]

Vic drift hold all their meets in the dome still, using various configurations. It's also sometimes used by other club level events like the 24 hours of lemons as the dome can be included as part of the racetrack next to it.

[@bradcox8468]

This breaks my heart, I went to every meeting here and even did some hot laps... I'm a Melbourne boy and now I have to head to Talledega to get my annual nascar fix

[@bobbypaluga4346]

The track advertisement got my blood pressure going, it certainly looked as if this was a pretty exciting track. The set up could easily been mistaken for a NASCAR track in the US. Too bad that they couldn't make a go of it.

[@MuiTube]

Yeah I’d love to see some nascar action in person

[@RHDLGND]

@@MuiTube if you ever get the chance to go I recommend going to the Daytona night race for long track and Bristol for short track. My two personal favorites

[@TwistLosi]

The track was based on Charlotte in the US just a bit smaller, went to some races here back in the late 80's early 90's as a kid which was pretty cool.

[@michaelstuart471]

Some history for you , It was designed around Daytona and Charlotte speedway

[@project-fiat5097]

Did an abandoned raceway... Never gave us a close up of the circuits / infield / Pits.... even with a drone only showed the stands

[@brockholder902]

Draggs that’s because the track/infield is still used for a regional drifting competition and isn’t abandoned, it’s just the grandstands and such that are

[@johnnyborg9835]

My brother and i drove around the track in 1993in my xy falcon we had a great night

[@northcarolinabluesman7417]

That track is in better shape than the North Wilkesboro Speedeay

[@57chevisawsomeness]

Larry Hoyle / North Carolina Blues Man that’s cause this track isn’t actually abandoned

[@MakeTestBattle]

It's so surreal seeing the thorny weeds growing out amongst the red plastic seats. -Justin

[@MuiTube]

Yeah it was so surreal. Like a zombie movie

[@CarsSimplified]

Very cool footage! Interesting how good a condition the racing surface is; the last two abandoned racetrack videos I have watched had very deteriorated racing surfaces. This one almost looked like it still had some rubber on the front stretch mini track! Thanks for taking the time to get out there and film all that!

[@MuiTube]

They use the track for drift meets! So the track is still somewhat in use

[@iflick7235]

Look at this carefully. It is the future of NASCAR. This motor racing series is going the way of the Pro Bowler's Tour. Tell me anyone, when was the last time you watched professional bowling on television?

[@BarryJowers]

Amazing track would love to see todays Cup Cars run on a track like this somewhere

[@garrybeattie8265]

As a radio announcer, I remember talking to Bob Jane just before the Thunderdome was opened. He was so proud of his new track. It's sad to see it in this state. He was determined to make it succeed. Thanks for the video.

[@lucasmemorialchapel3780]

Unlike North Wilkesboro this track looks like in fare condition. As a big NASCAR fan in the US it's a shame to see Australia and Japan have NASCAR but it doesn't laste long. If they brought the idea back it probably wouldn't work out but there would be more resources now.

[@sdolman79]

We have one of those here in the UK, its called Rockingham!

[@thermite_917]

We have one of those here in the US as well. It too is called Rockingham. Fortunately it sounds like they're finally getting the funding to start bringing it back!

[@imfrcd]

We have one of those, too. In North Carolina. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4iWfmd4jrusotE

[@dougweall678]

It is a real shame that these places cannot be kept alive. I have visited Portimao Portugal a couple of times and if it was not for the racing going on behind you, that would look the same. The seating around the circuit ( I have walked the full circuit a few times) does not look as if anyone has ever sat on them. Nature taking over just the same, with only a few enthusiasts for company.

[@ethanstegehuis6525]

This place is really cool. I live right by it so I go there every few weeks with my mates but there is some construction going on so we haven't gone in a while

[@darrencottam1146]

Bob Jane still went to his office there until he died,poor bloke was bankrupted by his sons who sued him for using his own name on his tyre shops.

[@bullfrogger1208]

i think those thistle looking weeds around the bleachers may be artichokes .

[@macedoniaskopje9080]

SOLD FACT ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY AND MELBOURNE IS SUPPOSE TO BE THE SPORTING CAPITAL MY ARS IF THIS WAS FLEMINGTON RACE COURSE IT WOULD HAVE MILLIONS SPENT ON IT

[@morphix007]

i was there the day a car flipped about 15 times on the back straight mighthave been 1997

[@finscreenname]

It's hot, I'm going out into direct sun, I should ware all black.....

[@MuiTube]

If only I was as smart as you

[@yessure5291]

wear not ware

[@finscreenname]

Thank you Mrs. Crabtree.

[@catjudo1]

And a beanie.

[@MuiTube]

z00h hahaha right.

[@metalheadpatriot]

This was a cool track in Andretti Racing for the PS1,had a nice metal racing soundtrack for the stock car race.Didn't know it's abandoned now.

[@joshpodolsky7740]

Says it's hot out, *is wearing all black and a beanie* 🤦‍♂️

[@TheLockbeard]

it's a shame the track has gone to waste. Bob Jane tried to recreate the popularity of NASCAR in Australia but the general public just didn't find any interest in it. I believe that the organisers of the 24hr of LeMons are potentially looking into reusing the thunderdone full circuit with the circuit too.

[@MuiTube]

Yeah it never really took off! I don’t think Aussie wanna watch cars drive in circles

[@franko69]

LeMans.

[@TheLockbeard]

@@franko69 no Lemons not Le Mans

[@cowcocky]

Very sad. I went to a lot of great race meeting there and they put on a great show. The stands used to be packed😢

[@jeffhack6839]

Get out of the basement more often or you will be kicking off before you are fifty.

[@michaelhalsall5684]

Calder Park Raceway which is visible in the distance still runs drag racing. Calder Park also has lost major Road Racing events too unfortunately. The whole area is slowly being encroached by housing developments too.

[@sly2392]

what a shame. all that money wasted. why didnt nascar help this man.

[@joshriver75]

For a few seconds I wondered why someone would bring a kangaroo to the race track.

[@keithbubb730]

At one point Texas pride was a ripoff of Australian pride.

[@TheMitchbassman]

Richard Petty use a kangaroo as a mascot for years. A rarely known fact.

[@joshriver75]

@@TheMitchbassman Is that really true or are you pulling my leg 🤔

[@swifty_playz9317]

Calder park reopens this year 2023

[@JediJT74]

Sad the way it is today. I used to watch the NASCAR and Auscars there in the day and got to actually drive it in the early 2000’s for the Holden VY Commodore launch.

[@benmarvel28]

I live near the track and sometimes are hear some cars on the quarter mile track

[@jasonbusch8356]

You need to hit the treadmill mate. Nice shots

[@azvoltman7335]

I cant subscribe to anyone scared of birds

[@thewhip4]

weird it's abandon but they're cutting the grass in the infield of the track

[@warrenbuchanan4725]

They use for drifting events still

[@MikeFL2TX]

@@warrenbuchanan4725 So it's not really abandoned, just not used by a roundy-round racing sanctioned body?

[@blairmiller311]

Ahh so that's why the track looks like it's in such good shape

[@manelpelayo2753]

If I founf an abandoned racetrack I would call my friends and just have fun with some cars

[@unrealgoat_6878]

Manel Pelayo parts of the park are still in use.

[@stivi739]

Yep me to

[@LapoftheWorld]

Awesome video. Grandstands and out buildings aside the track looks like it's in amazingly good condition for 30 years of neglect.

[@ragingbull154]

A V-8 Supercar oval race would have been awesome. I'm here in the United States in NASCAR country but I try to keep up with V8 Supercars. Love the cars and the racing. A short track oval race would be awesome. Something similar to Bristol or even a 1 Mile oval like Dover. I remember watching that first race run at Calder Park here in the U.S. Neil Bonnett and Bobby Allison ran in the event with a few more NASCAR drivers and some great Aussie drivers. Miss those days.

[@denisegore1884]

It was used for round 9 of the World Touring Car Championships in 1987 kzbin.info/www/bejne/laGviZ16ncmkrZY

[@Matthewrandone]

You know it's not abandoned right? They still use it for drifting where that blue and white building is.

[@stansifer70]

The track its self looked pretty good. It would be awesome if someone bought the track and invested some money in it. I would consider coming down there to watch a race.

[@Speedmoore1]

Better get over to Texas World Speedway, copy of Michigan, before its completely gone.

[@johnbaker4847]

sad, that the adventures of our youth are just abandoned structures now... so many memories, so few stories remembered...

[@MuiTube]

Glad I could help bring back some memories for you

[@ravid9720]

Oh oh oh.... Tears are about to roll down from my eyes. Once, it was a dream of every rider to drive there but now.... ... .. . Thanks for posting this video & cheering our memories . RIP BobJane .

[@MuiTube]

No worries. Glad you enjoyed

[@ravid9720]

@@MuiTube - Oh well.... Thanks for the immediate response. U r doing a wonderful job & that's really appreciatable. The background music u have selected is really good . Keep up ur good job & keep posting new videos. We will keep supporting u !

[@MuiTube]

Ravi D appreciate it! If you have the app Shazam you can play the song and it will tell you the tune!

[@ravid9720]

@@MuiTube - :-)

[@Moonayyy]

Its a shame that they never really did much racing at Calder after about 2001/2002. AUSCAR closed up in 2001 and V8 Supercars stopped going to the road course track. Still think Calder is one of the best tracks in Australia.

[@branon6565]

Hope you have at a .357 Mag with some snake-shot shells on your side, at least that way you can destroy any snakes that deem themselves needing to be destroyed.....

[@doubleutubefan5]

Australia has some of the strictest gun laws in the world. At least that's what i have heard

[@garyjones7198]

Would make a beautiful go kart track.. The Talledaga of go karts...

[@wingracer1614]

While not Talladega, I have actually raced karts at Daytona. And no not the regular kart track they have now, the actual full Daytona road course.

[@seanthemaster1249]

The actual racetrack is still in decent condition

[@willisnotshort]

Looks like someone took all the red chairs

[@NascarJaydenGaming]

Why don't nascar bring back tracks like this or rockingham

[@iflick7235]

This is what NASCAR in the United States is beginning to look like. In two years a number of contractual obligations will end. That's all that's keeping the series afloat.

[@MuiTube]

Oh man! I thought it would have been massive in the southern states!

[@iflick7235]

@@MuiTube Two weeks ago, NASCAR held its season premier event, the Daytona 500. A local Miami affiliate ran back to back episodes of "Colombo" a 37 yr old television series. Running opposite the race, it beat the 500 in the ratings by twelve points. NASCAR suffers from what the networks call "poor visuals" In other words, it's a dreadful bore. Televised races (that are fewer and fewer) are so tightly filmed they barely show the surroundings. Panning back would reveal acres of empty grand stands. That is television Death! Many older tracks look like the one in this video. Others sit on what has become increasingly valuable real estate, while the gate doesn't pay the cost of holding the race. Fans simply aren't interested in American passenger car racing. There was a time when The Pro Bowler's Tour dominated Sunday afternoons. There was a dedicated column of ever sports page in the country. When was the last time you watched professional bowling on television?

[@Meekerextreme]

Kind of a boring deal to watch, they just go around and around, it's about as exciting as watching any sport really. Good if you want to sleep.

[@graysinclair6572]

I Flick Spot on analysis. Writing’s been on the wall for years. My beloved Indycar shot itself in the foot in 1996 with the split and has never recovered. F1 sanitized itself(my opinion) to death and I quit watching after 44 years of fandom. Deeply loved F1! The allure has simply faded due to political correctness and over regulation. Truly sad!

[@bigrooster6893]

NASCAR will be around way after we die. NASCAR is having a rebirth with a new generation of fans. The TV ratings are up track attendance is up and NASCAR will have complete control over which race tracks they want to run at in 2021. NASCAR is going to do more short tracks and road courses.

[@robmassicotte4889]

Crazy how they just let this go, sad really.

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

The demise of this track is so sad to me. A motor racing guy I knew through work claimed that Jane had used old tires ( something he would have a pretty abundant supply of ) to use as filler in the built up earth banks needed to create the foundation for the banking. The result was a foundation that was just never going to last long term. To get this track up & running again would require the track to be completely torn up, dug out, new foundations, & then complete re-building of the circuit. Such a shame. In the heyday of V8 Supercars a special oval race held here once a season could have been truly spectacular. I used to enjoy watching Auscar on the telly as a kid. When I moved nearby to the circuit for a while around 2009, & I realised it was there I was so saddened. I mean, to see something that to me was so iconic being left to rot, with thousands of Victorian commuters passing by on the Calder daily with absolutely zero F's given. Tragic to a motorsports fan means nothing to pretty much everyone else.

[@jeffreyclifton9928]

You think that is sad? Look at North Wilkesboro.

[@deirdreanne2172]

Used to love watching the HQ's scream around the track! I was lucky enough to do a ride along with Nathan Pretty, awesome experience! I remember the V8 supercars did a few races on the flat track too.

[@TheoneGodfather]

Some of those signs would be worth thousands in the states.

[@worbradar]

I live just around the corner the quarter mile is still used for Drag Racing usually Friday night Street meets

[@ReasonsWhy1]

I hear them doing drags quite a bit there, in the afternoons. My dad has done a few drags and went to them back in the 90's.

[@benno_360]

Anybody remember the HQ Holden's going 4 wide around here?

[@byyTypo]

It’s actually not abandoned the track gets used regularly with vic drift and the drags are also on regularly

[@macedoniaskopje9080]

SAD ..I BET IF THIS WAS FLEMINGTOM RACING HORSES IT WOULD BE FIXED IN A MINUTE BLAME BRIMBANK COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT

[@David-ij2hs]

sad to see a fanastic track gone to waste

[@alexfrankl7861]

The track still gets used , not racing though cause it's rough as guts . I've saw multiple races there and a round of the group A tourers when the Europeans came out and used the oval and the old circuit , Jim Richards would race Auscar then NASCAR and hop on a flight to race at Targa Tassie , legend . Multiple reasons why it failed , one was the heat at Calder and two was oval racing was boring , had he spent the money on the old circuit with pit upgrades and track extension the supercars would still be running and the drags .

[@johnson7454]

They still do events there like local car meets and drift events. Not really abandoned just not in its glory days

[@r.t.1942]

I would put a fun ride park in there and some go-kart racing , maybe a theme park

[@wazzajack9253]

I took my son there for the very first Raceday Dick Johnson was there in a Ford Thunderbird I think sponsored by Palmer Tube Mills, Alan Grice in a Fosters sponsored Pontiac or mavbe an Oldsmobile and one other Australian with a Speedway background Terry Byers? The rest were American visitors notably Bobby Allison. Dick got caught up in someone else’s accident and T boned another car while Grice ran strongly. I remember that Bob Jane arranged a Thunderbird for Peter Brock that he never got to race in because he was afraid of damaging his precious reputation. Most likely was concerned Dick and Gricey would show him up. Years later I think it was TV commentator Garry Wilkinson that in order to build up the perfect ones reputation after his death described him as having raced the car along with many other exaggerations. Bob Jane did much for Australian motor racing and far more than he got credit for. Racing his Jag against Norm Beechy’s Chev Impala and later in the Len Luke’s Ford Galaxie and S4 Holden’s of Beechy and Brian Muir. Then came the Mustangs with Beechy, Pete Geogheon , Jane and Greg Cusack before Neil Allen took the wheel. Later against Alan Moffat Shelby Mustang in a really nice Camaro. Later in retirement through hit Tyre Marts he sponsored others at the same time trying to make the Thunderdome viable. Sad to see how it all ended.

[@denisegore1884]

I have a programme from August of 1988. Dick Johnson was sponsored by Red Cote. Allan Grice had an Oldsmobile Delta 88 which was driven by Jim Richards at the August meeting. I saw Brock driving a white falcon at the August meeting.

[@gazman7641]

I went to the first race there. Also drove around the track in the late 80s or early 90s when they had some sort of road safety day, those 24° banks didn't feel good in a slow Cordia turbo! So sad to see this place in this condition. Awesome video, thanks.

[@makermark4]

Thanks for that footage. I read somewhere they can't tear it down because the track banking and stands are filled with old tyres from the T-Marts and it's become a massive biohazard or something. Also stress less about the snakes, they're more scared of you especially if you have heavy footsteps

[@MuiTube]

Yeah I’ve heard the same. I’ve seen more snake this summer then ever before. Believe it or not I was stunk by bee while recording this video lol. There was a massive hive!

[@makermark4]

Oh crap! Well thanks for taking one for the team because there's only so much you can see from Google earth!

[@MuiTube]

Haha yeah mate I could make videos on injuries I’ve had while exploring

[@pamelagideon7762]

Great footage, unbelievable how it seems to look so small now compared to what there is now. Glad you didn't run into any snakes. Awesome!!

[@BradGryphonn]

I was a guest of Shell for the first Australian truck Grand Prix in 1987 (IIRC). We road tripped from Griffith in NSW down to the Thunderdome. The place was pumping back then.

[@MyUrbanExplorationOnline]

It a shame to see the Thunderdome like this. For me it would be great to see Victoria to get back it's 500km enduro race in the Supercars. If the Thunderdome, or Lang Lang get the right investment for everything to be brought up for 2020's standards for racing. I for one would love to see that 500km enduro to come back. On a side note. If the Supercars is open in having more Endueo. I for one would live to see four. Aside from Bathurst. It would be good to have three 500km enduro. Good sites could be at 1, Thunderdome, or at Lang Lang. 2, The Bend with the longest, endurance circuit. And the 3st could be a inner city street endurance either at Gold Coast, or Townsvile

[@IamTheShermanator]

Awesome video. I only remembered this track from things like "destroyed in seconds" reality shows on TV here in the US. The Thunderdome is a legendary stock car track. It always sucks to see tracks like this in ruin, but it's cool to see them still standing and not destroyed and paved over.

[@MuiTube]

Yeah that sounds cool! I’ll have to find some more old footage! Thanks for the comment

[@stewartfrye]

NASCAR leadership has no idea who they represent. "STOCK CAR" why are those two words so important to their demise. The average guy wants to have his car like the big guys. ALways tinkering to get a little more HP. The cars driven by NASCAR are not stock, nor can one be purchased at the dealership. I cannot add arestrictor plate to CHEvy this weekend. DISCONNECT The NASCAR fans are sick of BIG MONEY issues. Sponsorships like M&M's what happened to Bardahl, STP, Mopar chevy. Now it's unknown million dollar cars hand built, that perform now where like the guys racing down the old country road in his car... WHY watch spoiled millionaires, fight over money.. just one opinion. It's actually worse than our politics today. And The APBA Amer Power Boat ASsoc has done the exact thing.. MONEY MONEY MONEY. I used to go to boat races where there were 20 classes of boats,, NOW UNLIMITED RACING ONLY.... They cut out the little guy. Now it takes millions to go racing... I no longer go to either NASCAR or APBA events. No thanks..

[@navcenter77]

Holden was still using the Thunderdome as a test track until 2012 or 2013. For its age the track surface would still be highly competitive and the drag strip was being rented out to teams for testing as far as I am aware until 2018

[@rogerhendy8340]

I remember going to the Thunderdome many times in the past. 1993 Guns n Roses concert, drag car races, and the highlight was when they had the Jet Car drag races, I've still got video of it.

[@urgonnaluvit]

Calder Thunderdome died...because NASCAR racing is boring as shit 😂

[@fastmonaro05]

It is so sad to see what has happened to our once great car racing scene. Auscar, NASCAR, Gricy racing around the Thunderdome in a VN NASCAR. Indycar on the Goldcoast was Schoolies for adults. Oh them grid girls and the crazy party atmosphere. Sore neck from looking left and right, up and down!!!!! Saw Andretti race just before he disappeared from the sport. And now our local Supercar series has no Aussie cars anymore. Even my beloved Bathurst weekend won't mean as much. I was lucky seeing the glory days of loud big bangers. Electric going around Thunderdome or Bathurst??????? They would need some sound effects.

[@dalejr183]

Texan here long time Earnhardt fan but I love Australia its one big Texas I tell my family and, yall were so friendly to me when I was in Perth and Hobart in 2000 with the US Navy and had the time of my life. Wish I could go back some day and I love Australia. If the US goes to shit I'm going to Australia. We have allot in common from Scotch Irish English ancestory on opposite sides of the globe. Thank You Aussies Jeff Scott Johnston

[@z00h]

Bro nice video about abandoned grandstands, the title is misleading though. I hope you'll return here one day to take some footage of the actual fucking raceway...

[@PnwOnTour]

I won the first and last race there

[@tomhawkins8855]

Make it the location of an international electric/hybrid (scandalous, icky things that they are) endurance race multi-class like LeMans or Sebring 24hrs. Be great for Australia and might raise the veil on where the development of electric is vehicles actually. Who knows, some unsubsidized (not Tesla) development might push the ghastly things ahead toward practical viability.

[@denisegore1884]

This is just awful and makes me feel sad and old. I went there for the August NASCAR meeting and again in December of 1988. I still have the programme from August 1988. The reason that I still have it is I bought anything with Peter Brock in it, back in the day. It cost $4.00. $4.00 would have bought two bundy and cokes then. I remember that December day. It was damned hot and we were sitting on the concrete terraces. The commentary over the PA was going out with the American broadcast and the commentators said it was 100 degrees. No-one knew what that meant. Before the racing, there was a jet doing aerobatics, then there was a bang in front of the grandstand. As our eyes returned to ground level, there were the Bridgestone Performance Commodores. It was worth going just to see them. What a show. I remember it like it was far less than 30 years ago. I was only 23.