One of the greatest names in speedway sedan racing, Allan Butcher has been named Grand Marshall for this weekend’s Dirt Late Model “Roof Off Rumble” at Toowoomba’s Hi-Tec Oils Speedway.

Speedway fans of multiple generations would remember the famous #83 on the side of any one of the iconic Torana’s, Monaro’s and most notably the O’Brien Glass and Logan Units Corvettes, followed by the dominating days of Grand National racing where Allan would be continue to be shadowed (and sometimes beaten) by former wife Denyse in the #8, well into the days of the “Aussie Trackwear” livery taking over the colour scheme.

Allan is now based in Newcastle, and looks back on a career that boasts the 1981 Australian Super Sedan Title, the 1984 Grand National Title and then amazingly at 63 years of age, the 2002 Late Model Australian Title, as well as a long list of state titles and blue ribbon event wins.

This Saturday he and partner Jenny will make the trip up to the freshly renovated Toowoomba venue, ready to present the trophies and announce the most famous words in motorsport, “Drivers, Start Your Engines!”

“I’d much rather be in a car than on the microphone, that’s for sure,” the living legend quipped,” but this event reminds me of when I went to the United States with Charlie Schwartz and they did some events with their roof off, and I didn’t think much of it to be honest, but because I could see the novelty factor of it, I tried the idea when I came back to Australia, but it wasn’t long after the grand parade that the chief steward told me to put the roof back on, so we got the pop-rivet gun out quick smart!”

Hi-Tec Oils Speedway Events Manager, Ben Bishop was delighted to have Butcher agree to the role, labelling him as one of the main inspirations behind his own passion for speedway.

“I was raised in Bundaberg and Allan and Denyse were regular visitors to Carina, and always pulled a big crowd wherever they went. They were pioneers, not just of the racing and engineering side, but of the professionalism and showmanship as well, and to have Allan present the trophies and give the starting command this weekend is a massive delight for me and I’m sure it will be for many fans as well.”The Dirt Late Model Roof-Off Rumble will be joined by a 24 car field of Wingless Sprints in their last race at Toowoomba before their National Title in March, as well as Formula 500’s and Mod Lites.

Adults $25, Pensioners and Students with I.D. $20, Juniors 13-15 $10, Kids 12 and Under FREE! For more details, check out www.toowoombaspeedway.com and Hi-Tec Oils Speedway on facebook.

Thanks to "Club 83 - fans of Allan Butcher" Facebook page for the pictures.