The inaugural Northern Nationals was first held in October 1978 at the Cairns
International Speedway. Attracting some thirty odd drivers, the event,
sponsored by former sedan racer, Stan Leczewicz of Stanley’s Panel Works, was
won by Allan Butcher, with Multiple Australian Champion Grenville Anderson of
NSW second. In 1979, Peter Millers Tuna Lodge Motel took over the sponsorship
of the two night meeting which Allan Butcher won for the second consecutive
year. Grenville Anderson was again runner up. With such big name drivers and
teams making the annual trek to Cairns for the Northern Nationals, the event
rapidly gained great prestige right throughout Australian Speedway sedan
circles and each year saw new faces racing at the championship having come
from all corners of the country.

1980 and 81 were also won by the irrepressible Allan Butcher, with Grenville
Anderson second and Brisbane Scott Hutchison, one of the most popular drivers
ever to visit Cairns, in third. In 1982, Grenville Anderson’s perseverance
paid off when he won his first Northern Nationals Championship, one of the
few major events that had eluded him. The 1982 Queensland Champion Denise
Butcher was second with Lismore’s John Leslight rounding out the podium.
After an intense battle that took place over two gruelling nights, the 1983
Northern Nationals was once again taken out by legend, Allan Butcher. He beat
home Herberton resident and local racer Noel Day with Lismore’s Paul O’Neil
finishing in third position.

1984 was the last time the Northern Nationals was held and by this stage, the
Northern Nationals had become apart of the Tri City Series with Cairns, Mt
Isa and Mackay all holding a round each. The Cairns leg of the event again
saw Allan Butcher the victor with Noel ‘Stumpy’ Day second and soon to become
national champion Ian ‘Gabby’ Marshall third.

Below is the list of nominations and the awesome types of cars they had, from
the Northern Nationals held at Cairns International Speedway during the
1983/84 season.

Paul O’Neil – Lismore – WRC Camaro
John Leslight – Lismore – Buick Regal
Carl Jeffrey – Sydney – JC Mazda RX7
Ray Hall – Sydney – JC Oldsmobile Cuttlas
Bill Roberts – Sydney – Pontiac Firebird Mark II
Allan Butcher – Brisbane – Corvette Stringray
Scott Hutchison – Brisbane – Hurricane Camaro
Merv Hargraves – Brisbane – Ford Thuderbird
Ian Marshall – Brisbane – Monza
Merv Dixon – Brisbane – Mazda RX7
Trevor Pronger – Gympie – Studebaker
Barry Gaunt – Rockhampton – JC Firebird
David Ward – Dysart – Torana XU1
Dave McNichol – Mackay – Charger
Noel Day – Herberton – JC Firebird
Greg Suhle – Innisfail – Mustang
Lauren Schipke – Mareeba – XE Falcon
Harry Adams – Mareeba – A9X Torana
Ian Thomas – Cairns – WRC Firebird
John Collins – Cairns – XD Falcon
David Ireland – Cairns – Torana Hatchback
Dennis Manning – Cairns – Torana
Perry Deacon – Cairns – JC Pontiac
Graeme Bradley – Cairns – Corvette Stingray
Leigh Holman – Cairns – Firebird

So 28 years later, it will be the mighty Modified Productions who will get
there chance to start a new dynasty of this time honour event and a fantastic
field of cars is expected to be on hand at Cairns International Speedway on
18th August to try and win the 2012 “Kieza Builders” Northern Nationals &
“Triple S Earthmoving” Lachlan to America Top 10 Shootout.