Neville Harper is arguably Tasmania’s most successful speedway sedan driver.

Hailing from the North-West Coast at Hellyer Beach, near Wynyard, Neville started competing in 1968 and at the time of induction was still racing after never missing a season in the ensuing 29 years.

 Only 12 months after starting his racing career, Neville was already starting to make his mark, winning his first State super sedan championship in 1979.

It was to be his first of six such titles at the time of induction, more than any other driver in Tasmanian speedway history.

In a highly successful career that followed, Neville raced in all Australian states in major events and titles, winning an Australian championship in Adelaide in 1988.

He was also placed in the Australian title on a number of other occasions and has won major events at tracks in Victoria (including the Victorian title), South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT.

Major feature event victories back home in Tasmania include Latrobe Grand Prix (six times at the time of induction), Tasmanian Grand National (three times), and King of Carrick (six times).

Neville has also competed in Grand National sedans and late-model NASCARS, racing all over Australia on tracks ranging from 400 m dirt or clay oval tracks to high-bank tracks, pavement circuits, and super speedways such as the Calder Park Thunderdome in Melbourne.

In addition to being a fierce competitor, Neville has also been active in the sport’s administration since 1988, holding the positions of State president of the Tasmanian Saloon Car Federation, vice president of the national body (ASCF), and national president of the ASCF at the time of induction.

He has twice been awarded the prestigious Jacko Award (speedway’s equivalent of the Brownlow Medal) for his services to the sport and is the only driver to have won the award twice (as of 1997).

At the time of induction, Neville was well into his 50s, but showing no signs of retiring and still proving to be as competitive as ever and one of the toughest drivers on the track.

Written by Martin Agatyn