AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY RIDERS ASSOCIATION: KEVIN TORPIE DIES

Media Release By: BILL POWELL

It is with deep sadness and regret that I have to inform you of the sad passing of long time VSRA/ASRA Member Kevin Torpie, aged 87 years.  Kevin passed away on Wednesday 1st October 2025 at a Care Facility in Queensland.  He unfortunately had been suffering ill health for some time and now he is at peace.

During his ASRA Membership Kevin was always willing to help out with various club activities and in his retirement years still had a keen interest in speedway.  With wife Chris, son John he was a regular attendee to VSRA/ASRA Reunion functions.  Kevin also attended QLD speedway meetings and displays, until illness curtailed this activity. A lifelong motorcyclist, he enjoyed touring on his registered road bike.  Often travelling from his home in QLD to attend the Phillip Island Motorcycle GP, in Victoria.

For all those who knew Kevin would describe him as the perfect gentleman, extremely modest, quietly spoken, and an unassuming speedway rider. A popular and well respected competitor.  A dedicated speedway man with a professional approach to the sport. Undoubtably recognised as one of Australia’s most knowledgeable exponents of the speedway art.

Kevin has had a very impressive speedway career.

Starting his speedway career on stock bikes at Redcliffe Showground QLD in the 1959/60 season.  He then became a regular in the solo ranks at the Ekka and Archerfield before travelling to Victoria to compete at Fred Tracey’s Marybynong  speedway.  He travelled to England in 1962, signing for the Middlesbrough Bears under Reg Fearman, who would become a lifelong friend.  In 1964 he was transferred to Edinburgh.  Representing his country in tests 14 times from 1967-73 his 15-point score at the Ekka in 1973 was his highpoint.  On the individual stakes, Victorian Solo Champion in 1967.  Queensland Solo Champion 1969.  Kevin was an Australian Solo Championship finalist 5 times between 1967 & 1974.

In June 1967 he moved to Rockhampton for an extended racing campaign on North Queensland circuits.  Kev was a member of “Cowboy” Bob Sharpe’s Troupe which put on some of the most spectacular and hard fought solo racing ever seen in Queensland.  Sharpe’s Troupe, bolstered by regular visits from Brisbane “A” graders, gave spectators a standard of racing rarely equaled anywhere in Australia.

Kevin retired in 1973, but when his work took him to North Queensland in 1974 he had a short twilight season at Townsville and Cairns.

Kevin Torpie was a champion not only as a rider but as a human being.

He will be sadly missed yet happily remembered.

Deepest sympathy is extended to Chris, John and his many friends at this sad time.

RIP Kevin