Blair Shepherd

If you were a young kid growing up in south-east Queensland in the late 70s or the early 80s, the chances are you were about to be consumed by Blair Shepherd’s BMX revolution!

Blair, a former world speedway champion had travelled to the United States with his son Scott, where they witnessed firsthand the explosive potential of BMX. Inspired, Blair returned home and—within a year—built Australia’s first purpose-built BMX facility: the Windsor BMX Youth Cycle Centre. But he didn’t stop there. Blair also began importing specialist BMX bike parts from the U.S.A, kickstarting what was to become Australia's longest-running wholesale BMX business—BMX International Pty Ltd.

Sadly, earlier this year, at the age of 91, Blair passed away. Thankfully however, the Australian BMX Hall of Fame had already contacted Blair to announce his pending induction, and so it is, that with a blend of reverence, appreciation, loss and love, we celebrate the incredible contribution of the late Blair Shepherd to Australian BMX.

Blair Sheperd was a visionary. He was one of the very first people to actively promote the growth of BMX in Australia. Along with his son, Scott, Blair constructing a race venue that boasted innovations decades ahead of its time. Blair, tapping into his vast experience as a competitive speedway driver, new the benefits of including floodlights, electronic lap timing, a mechanised start gate, grandstands, race officials, and all the trimmings of extreme adventure sports. He built a coliseum for both the local kids and the fastest riders in the country.

Blair always understood the power of promotion. Whether it was calling the Courier Mail to run a front-page story about BMX, or securing corporate sponsorship and council support, Blair was instrumental in shaping the identity of BMX in Australia.

But perhaps more importantly, he created a safe, healthy space where thousands of kids could come together to ride, race, and be together in an inclusive, family environment.

Blair’s determination was awe inspiring. As BMX in southeast Queensland exploded in the late ‘70s, he forged relationships with the biggest industry names in America; Linn Kastan from Redline, Chuck Raudman from Skyway, Skip Hess from Mongoose, and Howie Cohen from Everything Cycles, enabling him to bring world-class product to Australian shores. Blair recognised the star power of the American professional riders, organising what many people to this day consider to be one of the most memorable events in Australian BMX history - the 1980 American Tour Down Under. Blair made sure the biggest names in BMX came to Australia. The top pros, Stompin’ Stu Thomson, John Crews, Kenny Nachman, Jeff ‘Kos’ Kosmala, Scot Breithaupt, and Denny Davidow were there – along with industry leaders, and the editors from BMX Plus and BMX Action Magazine to experience the magic of racing under lights at the Windsor BMX Track.

Blair Shepherd, is arguably the single most influential BMX promoter and industry pioneer in Australian BMX history. Thanks largely to Blair Shepherd, a brand new and exciting cultural, social, and sporting phenomenon took root and flourished in Australia.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we know, Blair Shepherd is no longer with us. However, Blair’s legacy lives on today through his BMX import business, and through the cherished memories of literally thousands of Australians who were privileged to have experienced the magic and the excitement of racing or spectating at the ancestorial home of Queensland bicycle motocross.