Mr Speedway Con Migro – A legacy across motocross and all forms of motorsport
Photos: [Left to right] Con Migro, the man with the golden tonsils; presenting awards with Bob Couzens at the King of the Cross in Southern Cross in the early 1980s; and on the presentation dias with emerging motocross champion Jeff Leisk, who won the 1984 Western Classic at Noble Falls (By Peter Kitchingman)
Con Migro: The Voice that defined Australian motorsport
For more than 55 years, Con Migro has devoted his life to the advancement of motorcycle sport in Australia, leaving an indelible mark across motocross, speedway and road racing at State, National and International levels.
While he is best known as one of Australian speedway’s greatest commentators, Con’s contribution to motocross in Western Australia has been just as remarkable.
For decades, he was the unmistakable voice of the State’s biggest motocross events, bringing excitement, colour and expert insight to countless race meetings and helping generations of fans experience the sport at its very best.
Whether behind the microphone at the Manjimup 15000, King of the Cross, Western Classic or other major international events—including the 1992 Motocross of Nations and the 1992 FIM 125cc Motocross World Championship at Cosy Creek, Manjimup—Con did far more than call the action. He became part of the sport’s history.
Photos: Con Migro with motocross and speedway legend Charlie West behind Charlie’s famous speedcar at the York Motor Museum.
Great commentators don’t simply describe what unfolds before them—they enhance the spectacle, tell the story behind the competition and create moments that live on in the memories of competitors and fans alike. Con possessed that rare ability. His voice became synonymous with some of Australia’s greatest motorcycle racing events, inspiring spectators and helping elevate the profile of the sport.
Con's trademark nicknames
One of Con’s greatest trademarks was his extraordinary knack for creating unforgettable nicknames. His colourful descriptions added personality, humour and theatre, often becoming as memorable as the competitors themselves. Perhaps his finest nickname was the one that ultimately became his own—”Mr Speedway.”
His legendary creations included speedway favourites such as “Abe, the Flying 4×2” for solo rider Abe Schneider, who raced with the No. 8 plate; Trevor “Ghost” Harding, who was instantly recognisable in his all-white racing leathers; and “Big Bad Bert” for fiery sedan racer Bert Vosbergen.
Motocross also produced its share of classic Con Migro nicknames. Young Australian champion Jeff Leisk became “The Flying Freckle,” while Kalgoorlie star Graeme Smythe earned the title “The Golden Boy from Kalgoorlie,” a fitting tribute to both his talent and his hometown’s rich gold-mining heritage.
In sidecarcross, Con’s imagination was equally legendary. Veteran brothers Ernie and Bob Sawyer became “The Flying Fossils,” Joe Grasso was forever known as “Smokin’ Joe,” and fearless competitor Max Hills was immortalised as “Mad Max,” a nickname that perfectly captured his courage, determination and uncompromising racing style.
Photo: “The General” was another of Con’s famous nicknames for speedway and motocross chief flag marshall John Day (Peter Kitchingman)
Calling all forms of racing
For more than half a century, Con Migro hasn’t simply called motorsport races—he has given them a soundtrack, a personality and a lasting place in Australian sporting history. Few commentators have contributed so much to so many disciplines, and fewer still have left a legacy that continues to resonate every time one of his famous nicknames or unforgettable calls is remembered.
But Con’s influence extended well beyond the commentator’s microphone. He served on the international motocross committee for the World Motocross of Nations, playing an important role in the organisation and promotion of one of the sport’s most prestigious events. He also hosted many events at Cosy Creek Manjimup over the historic 5-6 September 1992 event – the first time the World Motocross Team’s event was held in Australia and outside of the Northern hemisphere.
His passion for motorcycle racing also saw him provide road racing commentary at Barbagallo (Wanneroo) Raceway, as well as events in Kalgoorlie, Albany, Geraldton, Collie and numerous other venues throughout Western Australia. He also played a significant role in bringing a round of the World MotoGP Championship to Australia, an event that went on to become a permanent fixture on the MotoGP calendar.
Through his extensive international connections, he was instrumental in bringing many of the world’s leading competitors to Western Australia, raising the profile of motorsport and providing local fans and riders with the opportunity to experience world-class competition.
Photo: Con Migro hosting a formal ceremony at the 1992 Motocross of Nations at Cosy Creek, Manjimup (By Peter Kitchingman)
Claremont Speedway - where Con's career began
Con Migro’s remarkable career in speedway began around 1965 following a chance meeting with Aub Lawson, former international speedway rider and Managing Director of Claremont Speedway.
What started as an opportunity soon developed into a lifelong commitment to the sport. Con initially became the voice of Claremont Speedway as course commentator before progressing to Managing Director and Promoter, a position he held for more than 30 years until the venue closed in 2000.
Throughout his speedway career, Con organised and underwrote the tours of English Speedway teams for two decades with close friend and English Speedway Captain Nigel Boocock, bringing elite international competition to Perth and Australia’s east coast. He also arranged for national teams from the United States, Russia and Sweden to compete against Australia’s best riders.
In 1974, Con was appointed Australian Team Manager for the World Speedway Team Championship in the United Kingdom and Europe. His commitment to international speedway was further recognised through Life Membership of the World Rider’s Association (formerly the British Rider’s Association), honouring his longstanding support of British riders and his efforts in creating opportunities for England’s brightest speedway talent to tour and compete throughout Australia.
Photos: (Top) Con Migro with multi-world champion Ivan Mauger (New Zealand) and Anders Michanek (Sweden) with former UK Test Team manager Reg Fearman at Belle Vue Manchester, England, the day Ander’s signed to race at Claremont Speedway; and (right) Con with Claremont Speedway speedcar legends John Fenton, Ron Wanless (QLD), Tony Matta and Geoff Stanton.
Motorcycling WA Hall of Fame recognition
Following the closure of the Claremont Speedway track in 2000, Con worked alongside his friend and then Premier of Western Australia, Richard Court, and was instrumental in negotiating, planning and brokering the development of Perth Motorplex at Kwinana Beach, creating a world-class speedway facility that continues to serve the sport today.
Con’s extraordinary contribution across motocross, speedway and road racing has left a lasting legacy on motorcycle sport in Australia. Although affectionately known as “Mr Speedway” following his 33 years leading the world-famous Claremont Speedway, his influence reaches far beyond a single discipline.
His dedication to promoting motocross, developing international competition and supporting riders at every level has helped shape motorcycle sport in Western Australia for generations.
In recognition of his outstanding service and lifelong commitment to motorcycling, Con Migro was inducted into the Motorcycling WA Hall of Fame in 2021.
Con's son Gavin follows in his footsteps in marketing
Photo: Con Migro’s son Gavin, Perth Motorplex General Manager. Like his father, Gavin began his working career in a marketing role at Claremont Speedway.
For more than two decades now, Con Migro’s son Gavin Migro is the General Manager of the Perth Motorplex, one of Australia’s premier motorsport venues for speedway, drag racing, burnouts and major automotive events.
When Con retired as Speedway Manager after more than 30 years at Claremont Speedway and the first three years at Perth Motorplex, Gavin succeeded him as Speedway Manager at the end of the 2003–04 season.
In September 2023, he became Interim General Manager, before being formally appointed General Manager of the award-winning speedway track on 22 July 2024. Multiple times, Perth Motorplex has been recognised as Australian Speedway Track and in 2025 won the Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year award.
Video library
VIDEO: Mr Speedway – Con Migro Interview – Part 1 of 2 | Dirt Nutter
VIDEO: Mr Speedway – Con Migro Interview – Part 2 of 2 | Dirt Nutter
