Australian and United States speedway communities mourn death of Barry Lack

With tributes flowing from as far as the United States, the Australian speedway community is mourning the death of personality Barry Lack. Described by many as a kind and giving gentleman of the sport we look back at what made him so special.

Peter Lack and his dad Barry Lack. Barry died on April 12, 2025 after a five year battle with Lewy body dementia.

In sport dominated by drivers and teams determined to find a racing edge, Barry Lack was a man who kept no secrets.

Lack readily shared his knowledge and ‘wins’ with anyone who asked and his death has shattered the Australian speedway community.

Tributes from across Australia and as far as the United States are flowing for a man described as a true gentleman.

“It’s amazing and a little bit surprising at the same,” Barry’s son Peter said.

“We have connections and friends in the speedway community all over Australia and in the United States but to see all the messages coming, the people reaching out after his death, it’s a bit special.

“It’s blown me away really – the level of respect people had for dad.

“He was a very kind, giving man and he never kept any secrets.

“If people asked him anything he was always willing to share his thoughts and help them out.”

Growing up on the family farm in the small rural community of Felton, Barry got his first taste of speedway in the early 1950s, aged 12.

That experience at the Old Toowoomba Showgrounds ignited a lifelong passion for the sport, a passion that would later take hold of his son Peter.

Barry Lack died on April 12, 2025 after a five year battle with Lewy body dementia

“I was really lucky in that my passion, my hobby was his as well,” Peter said.

“He loved his speedway and so do I.

“He taught me everything I know.

“From local races to winning national titles we had some truly fantastic times together.”

Barry raced his fair share of cars, setting Toowoomba lap records and winning plenty of races, but it was work off the track that really made him a ‘personality’.

When Peter and his brother Sam were old enough, Barry built them go-karts to race in the region.

In a perfect example of his engineering expertise, Barry repurposed a go-kart engine to power his lawnmower when its engine blew up.

“That’s a great example of dad,” Peter said.

“He was a think tank, completely self-taught and old school.

“We’d look at old cars and salvage all the good parts to use them.

“He did everything under budget but knew how to get the most out of every single car.

“He did it tough but he rose up, that was a valuable lesson for me, it proved what you can achieve when you show initiative and work hard.”

Barry died aged 83 on April 12 after five-year battle with Lewy body dementia.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at 9.30am at Burstows Funerals, Toowoomba.