Start/finish line naming honour for speedway stalwart

Iconic Bunbury Car Club life member Don Crombie received a humbling acknowledgement on Saturday at the Make Smoking History Bunbury Speedway, when the start/finish line was named in his honour.

Crombie, who has waved the flags at the Bunbury track for 60 years, has given his life to motorsport – something which club official Andrew Roberts believes will be difficult to surpass.

“It is about honouring people in the sport,” he said. “Our sport relies a lot on volunteers, like any sport.

“But you need to recognise people for the commitment they have made.

“People like Don are very rare now.

“To have that same commitment in today’s society is very hard, due to work commitments and things like that.

“It has probably been a privilege for the sport that Don has served as long as he is. Sixty years is a long time.”

Crombie, 88, told the South Western Times about the certain fundamentals he needed to develop throughout his distinguished career.

“You do not just wave a flag,” he said. “You are watching every move that they are all making and you must remember who is first, second, third and fourth.

“And if the third car drops out, or the fourth car moves into second, you have to keep an eye on each number.

“Or if it is the final lap, you obviously need to know who is also pushing it uphill and who is playing.”

Crombie’s career has sometimes thrown him the odd curveball as well, with a sprintcar once soaring above his box on the start/finish line.