Speedway community to pay tribute to driver Luke O’Brien, who died at Saraji mine

A much-loved member of the Queensland racing community, fallen miner Luke O’Brien will be remembered at a major speedway meeting on Saturday night.

Mackay's Luke O'Brien (inset) will be fondly remembered at tonight's Rocky McCosker Speedway meeting after this tragic death earlier this month.

Members of the Central Queensland speedway community will usher in a new year of racing in Rockhampton with heavy hearts.

They will pause to remember a much-loved member of their racing family on Saturday night at Rocky McCosker Speedway’s first meeting of 2024.

Mackay’s Luke O’Brien, 27, was a familiar sight behind the wheel of his beloved modified sedan, and was gearing up for that class’s major event, the Kings Royal, in Kingaroy next weekend.

Sadly, the racing enthusiast will be there only in spirit after he was tragically killed in a horror crush incident at Saraji mine on January 15.

He was taken to Dysart hospital but died later that day from his injuries.

Luke O'Brien tragically died at Saraji mine on January 15. Picture: Facebook

There has been an outpouring of grief for the BEP Engineering and Maintenance worker as friends rally around his heartbroken family.

Members of the Rockhampton Saloon Car Club, including president Randall Voois, have also been devastated by Mr O’Brien’s death.

“It’s rocked quite a lot of us here; a lot of us have actually struggled a bit this week,” Mr Voois said.

“Luke was honest, hard-working and just a genuine good bloke, a larrikin whose mullet was iconic in the speedway arena.”

Rockhampton Saloon Car Club treasurer Daniel Lennon prepares for tonight's speedway meeting at which former driver Luke O'Brien will be fondly remembered.

Mr Voois said he had raced for almost 10 years with Mr O’Brien, who was a great supporter of the Rockhampton club, its meetings and its drivers.

It was fitting then, that he be remembered in the sporting theatre he so enjoyed.

There will be a minute’s silence for Mr O’Brien following the grand parade at the McCosker Rocky Speedway’s Streeties of Thunder 20/20 meeting at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Mr Voois said the 75 cars entered for the program would also run with stickers featuring a picture of Mr O’Brien and #7, his race car number.

All drivers at the Rocky McCosker Speedway meeting on Saturday night will run with stickers which pay tribute to the late Luke O'Brien.

Mr O’Brien’s father Terry and brother Chae were expected to bring his race car to the track, which would be used as a pace car for some of the events.

Mr Voois said the local racing fraternity wanted to honour and remember their good mate, who was always willing to pitch in and help anyone in need.

Tonight’s race program includes the popular 20/20 for street stockers, production sedans, Formula 500s and AMCA Nationals

Gates open at 3pm, with the grand parade at 5pm and racing to follow.

Originally published as Speedway community to pay tribute to driver Luke O’Brien, who died at Saraji mine