Harry Oxley Speedway Promoter

Harry Oxley January 2, 1936 - June 2, 2025 In Memory R. I. P. Very sad to report that “The Godfather of Speedway” passed at 7:30 Monday morning at his home in Baja. Not totally unexpected Harry had been weak and sick for quite some time. Near death on numerous occasions each time the kids would drive/fly down and each time he would make a remarkable recovery. Unfortunately these recoveries were short lived and as his condition worsened Harry was placed on Hospice care. Harry Oxley is survived by his four children, daughters Robin Oxley Mairs, Laurie Oxley, Susan Oxley Anderson, son Brad Oxley and Harry’s wife Pam. Harry will also be missed by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family members are in semi seclusion as they deal with this tragedy. I can relay that Harry’s other daughter Laurie lives in Texas and was planning to be there but travel delays robbed her farewell. Laurie and sisters Robin and Susan must be crushed as they dearly loved their dad. Harry’s son Costa Mesa Speedway promoter Brad Oxley worshiped his dad and also wanted to be there. A regular at Casa Oxley he has already made three, eight day trips to Baja but unfortunately scheduled commitments that could not be moved kept him from being there. A peaceful departure Harry’s wife Pam and his daughter Susan Oxley and her husband Rick were there. Rick and Susan have traveled down to Baja many times and helped nurse and comfort Harry as have Robin’s husband John Mairs and of course Brad and Jaleen Oxley. Currently dealing with he own transition of life issues as Jaleen’s mom has been gravely ill she nevertheless has been the rock that not only comforted and helped Harry but also Brad who has been having a terrible time dealing with the loss of the man he most admired and respected. Harry Oxley will be cremated but there has been no decision where his final resting place will be. A Celebration of Life service and possibly a new major Harry Oxley Cup or other title Speedway race have been discussed but right now the family is dealing with their grief and more time needs to pass before decisions are made. Thank you Harry Oxley for your sacrifice and dedication. We will miss you but be assured your name will cement a legend that will live forever in the history of American Speedway. With much respect, Howie Zechner Photos from Scott Daloisio and some are courtesy photos Tom Hamilton Remembering Harry Oxley 1936-2025 I first met Costa Mesa Speedway promoter Harry Oxley in the summer of 1969. Los Angeles Times--OC edition sports editor Marshall Klein assigned me to go to the Orange County Fairgrounds and check out the Friday night races that were rapidly gaining popularity throughout Southern California. The top riders included Rick Woods, Bill Cody, Sonny Nutter and Mike Bast, and the ringmaster of the show was Oxley, who Santa Ana Register staff writer Art Parra dubbed, "The Godfather of Speedway". The show was exciting, the action was nonstop. The promotion captured an audience that routinely outdrew the California Angels on Friday nights where fans felt at home surrounding a 190-yard oval that became must-see racing from April through October. Looking back, Harry Oxley was in the right place at the right time. Before long, he was promoting the 1982 World Final at the Los Angles Coliseum and multiple World Team Cups in Long Beach. The sport reached its height of popularity in the 1980's with blossoming stars Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz, Dennis Sigalos and the Moran Brothers becoming international stars in Europe. I was lucky enough to grow as a sportswriter for 25 years with the sport of speedway, and Harry was always there to support and encourage me. We traveled the world to watch world championship races, shared a few beers and most of all, enjoyed each other's friendship. When I retired in April of 1993, he presented me with a beautiful clock that included a plaque that reads: "Tom Hamilton, Unequaled Second Guesser, Premier Authority, Ace Reporter and Master Teller of Tales. Few Sports Enjoy Such a Champion in the Press." It remains one of my prized possessions.

Harry Oxley

January 2, 1936 - June 2, 2025

In Memory
R. I. P.

Very sad to report that “The Godfather of Speedway” passed at 7:30 Monday morning at his home in Baja. Not totally unexpected Harry had been weak and sick for quite some time. Near death on numerous occasions each time the kids would drive/fly down and each time he would make a remarkable recovery. Unfortunately these recoveries were short lived and as his condition worsened Harry was placed on Hospice care.

Harry Oxley is survived by his four children, daughters Robin Oxley Mairs, Laurie Oxley, Susan Oxley Anderson, son Brad Oxley and Harry’s wife Pam. Harry will also be missed by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Family members are in semi seclusion as they deal with this tragedy. I can relay that Harry’s other daughter Laurie lives in Texas and was planning to be there but travel delays robbed her farewell. Laurie and sisters Robin and Susan must be crushed as they dearly loved their dad. Harry’s son Costa Mesa Speedway promoter Brad Oxley worshiped his dad and also wanted to be there. A regular at Casa Oxley he has already made three, eight day trips to Baja but unfortunately scheduled commitments that could not be moved kept him from being there.

A peaceful departure Harry’s wife Pam and his daughter Susan Oxley and her husband Rick were there. Rick and Susan have traveled down to Baja many times and helped nurse and comfort Harry as have Robin’s husband John Mairs and of course Brad and Jaleen Oxley.

Currently dealing with he own transition of life issues as Jaleen’s mom has been gravely ill she nevertheless has been the rock that not only comforted and helped Harry but also Brad who has been having a terrible time dealing with the loss of the man he most admired and respected.

Harry Oxley will be cremated but there has been no decision where his final resting place will be. A Celebration of Life service and possibly a new major Harry Oxley Cup or other title Speedway race have been discussed but right now the family is dealing with their grief and more time needs to pass before decisions are made.

Thank you Harry Oxley for your sacrifice and dedication. We will miss you but be assured your name will cement a legend that will live forever in the history of American Speedway.

With much respect, Howie Zechner

Photos from Scott Daloisio and some are courtesy photos

Tom Hamilton
Remembering Harry Oxley 1936-2025
I first met Costa Mesa Speedway promoter Harry Oxley in the summer of 1969. Los Angeles Times--OC edition sports editor Marshall Klein assigned me to go to the Orange County Fairgrounds and check out the Friday night races that were rapidly gaining popularity throughout Southern California. The top riders included Rick Woods, Bill Cody, Sonny Nutter and Mike Bast, and the ringmaster of the show was Oxley, who Santa Ana Register staff writer Art Parra dubbed, "The Godfather of Speedway".

The show was exciting, the action was nonstop. The promotion captured an audience that routinely outdrew the California Angels on Friday nights where fans felt at home surrounding a 190-yard oval that became must-see racing from April through October. Looking back, Harry Oxley was in the right place at the right time. Before long, he was promoting the 1982 World Final at the Los Angles Coliseum and multiple World Team Cups in Long Beach. The sport reached its height of popularity in the 1980's with blossoming stars Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz, Dennis Sigalos and the Moran Brothers becoming international stars in Europe.

I was lucky enough to grow as a sportswriter for 25 years with the sport of speedway, and Harry was always there to support and encourage me. We traveled the world to watch world championship races, shared a few beers and most of all, enjoyed each other's friendship. When I retired in April of 1993, he presented me with a beautiful clock that included a plaque that reads: "Tom Hamilton, Unequaled Second Guesser, Premier Authority, Ace Reporter and Master Teller of Tales. Few Sports Enjoy Such a Champion in the Press." It remains one of my prized possessions.