Geoff Stagg’s involvement in Tasmanian motorsport started when he was a trackside assistant as a 10 year-old in the Longford Grand Prix heyday in 1955.

He was also involved in motorcycle scrambles (the forerunner to motocross) and speedway, with his long involvement with Carrick Speedway starting in 1968, starting almost the day Carrick Speedway commenced operation in 1968.

At that time he was part of a team that shared a pink Ford Mercury called “Snoopy” with Neil Blair and his brother John Stagg, with Neil Blair the main driver, although the Stagg brothers did have a turn behind the wheel occasionally.

After his exploits with the pink Mercury in the early days of Carrick, Geoff moved into an official role with the stock car division, eventually becoming chief steward at the track.

In addition to being an official, Geoff also became president of the Carrick Sedan Drivers Club and later sub-leased the track from the promoters, with himself, Barry Charleton, and Ken Padman taking on the role of joint promoters.

It was during this time that the track was re-surfaced and lights installed to provide spectacular night racing.

After three seasons as a co-promoter from 1975-78, Geoff took over the reins on his own for two more years.

While he was sole promoter, Geoff also moved into the commentator’s chair when the regular commentator failed to show up one evening.

It was a role he was to continue until the time of his death in 2000, but he also called the races in Hobart from 1980 till 1994, and during a busy period in the 1970s he also commentated at Latrobe, Penguin, Richmond, and Bridgewater when all those tracks were operating.

 While keeping busy with speedway, Geoff also kept alive a keen interest in motorcycles he had since a child.

His experience in speedway commentating saw him eventually approached to call motorcycle races as well.

Geoff also became involved on the administration side of motorcycle sport and for many years was secretary of the State controlling body (formerly the Auto Cycle Union and now Motorcycle Sport Tasmania), later becoming president and a national delegate from 1980 till 1990.

During his stint as a national councilor, Geoff also spent some time as a member of the national executive.

He was a life member of the MST (ACU), the Launceston Motorcycle Club, and also the Carrick Speedway Drivers Club (now the Northern Tasmanian Speedway Sedan Association), and a founding director of the Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

Written by Martin Agatyn