Mike Raymond
Inducted 2008
Mike Raymond’s interest in speedway began when his dad took him to the Sydney Sportsground and Showground in 1949.
He began working at the Showground as a publicist and developed the Jeff Freeman and Johnny Stewart rivalry into a major story that was lapped up by the papers and packed the grandstands.
In 1965 Raymond suggested Channel 7 look into telecasting speedway, which was attracting very large crowds. Raymond was also a renowned commentator at the Showground, Liverpool, Parramatta City Raceway and on Channel 7 where he will always be associated with the Bathurst coverage.
He also promoted the Liverpool Speedway with Frank Oliveri (culminating in hosting the World Best Pairs Solo Championship in 1982), was the manager and media liaison of Parramatta City Raceway and worked as the director of Sport for Channel 7.