The 1960 armstrong 500 was an endurance motor race for australian made or assembled standard production sedans. Conditions were very harsh for the settlers and many left because of drought, failed crops and lack of water. The pristine shores and lush green forests of phillip island make it the perfect backdrop for some of australias bestloved wildlife. The light car club of australia developed and staged the inaugural armstrong 500. To learn even more about the history of the grand prix circuit, and relive its. Phillip island is famous for its international motorcycle and car racing events. Today, in the 21st century, phillip island is established as one of the worlds premiere motor sport venues a circuit that seems to bring out the very best in every type of racing on two, three or four wheels. Phillip island history started hundreds of millions of years ago. Whitlock and work was commenced on planning a race track. Phillip island grand prix circuit ventnor 2020 all you. The australian motorcycle grand prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the grand prix motorcycle racing season.
The bunurong called the island beang gurt and are thought to have come to the area about 40,000 years ago. Come to phillip island to witness the biggest super bike race on australias racing calendar, the motogp. The bass coast shire council and phillip island nature parks have made the decision to close all bass coast beaches to the public over the easter break. A visit to the phillip island museum, or a browse of this website and others linked here, will teach you more about phillip islands fascinating history. With over 500 entries, many from overseas, the event is a major tourist draw in australia. Named appropriately the grand opening meeting, the first race. Phillip island circuit located in victoria, australia.
Over time and due to volcanic activity, ice ages and weathering, it has evolved to become the island as we know it today. It is a nice easy drive from melbourne and a wonderful area to stay for the weekend with the coastal resorts on phillip island and along the coast to inverloch, all within a 30 minute drive. Visit the newly renovated nostalgic history of motor racing on phillip island from the sleek, vintage and classic, to contemporary machines. The completion of the summerland estate buyback achieved. History and heritage, phillip island, victoria, australia. Phillip island a history of motor sport since 1928. Phillip island hosted its first grand prix in 1989. Phillip island race track in rpm on sunday, they had a segment on the history, along with some home movies of the racetrack.
Well, it eats the left side of the tyres, which is why asymmetric tyres were used there before pretty much any other racetrack, with the exception of daytona, with its statesidestyle banking, taken at. The aim of drive events pty ltd is to make it possible for any driver to take almost any car to the track. Site of the australian gp, world superbikes, hot laps,go kart,v8 supercars,latest news, track map, lap times,other events. Motor racing on phillip island began in 1928 with the running of the 100 miles road race, an event which has since become known as the first australian grand prix. From the collection of phillip island and district historical society inc. The superbike world championship is another racing event which is held over three days.
See exhibitions on australian maritime history, aboriginal culture and the life of australias early settlers at the phillip island historical society museum. Jan 31, 2017 bikes bikes and more bikes from the 2017 phillip island international classic. Motogp phillip island race the art of racing visordown. The phillip island 500 was an annual motor racing event, last held for supercars at the phillip island grand prix circuit in phillip island, victoria. Racing by the sea at the phillip island circuit snaplap. A grand farce at phillip island motor sport magazine. Close competitive racing assured at phillip island as champions and legends compete. The weekend will mark the 500th round held in the history of the championship since the very first was held at gnooblas near orange in february 1960. The 12turn circuit features a long main straightaway, hairraisingly fast turns, tight hairpins and dramatic elevation changes, including a precipitous drop from lukey heights to the read the rest. Race meetings and speed events are held thoughout the year, giving owners of historic racing cars, and those interested in such vehicles, the opportunity to exercise their cars and feel the exhilaration. Phillip island and district historical society inc. For thousands of years phillip island has been part of the lands roamed by the bunurong people, the coastal to inland indigenous people of australia.
Due to extensive track damage resulting from the 1962 armstrong 500. If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour. Country racing victoria woolamai country racing victoria. Phillip island museums from volcanoes to grand prix racing. Bikes bikes and more bikes from the 2017 phillip island international classic. Three stunning races at arguably the greatest racetrack in the world.
And when we say the track we really mean the track. This display is an inspirational story of phillip island s racing heritage from 1928 to present day depicting the heroes, the adventures, the achievements and the heartbreaks. Phillip island stages numerous trophy races including the australian motorsport. A temporary circuit utilizing the island s interior public roads was used for the inaugural australian grand prix in 1928 and continued to be used for the race up until 1935. Filmed mainly on an iphone 7 plus, dji osmo and pictures from a sony nex 7 on board video. Phillip island auto racing club piarc shannons club. You will need to book in advance if attempting to board on a race weekend. Or take the tenminute drive to the churchill island heritage farm and visit the historical buildings and gardens.
Map and circuit history of phillip island grand prix circuit, victoria, australia. Phillip island grand prix circuit, ventnor holiday accommodation. The event was held at the phillip island grand prix circuit in victoria on 20 november 1960 over a distance of 167 laps x 3. Get amongst all the riders, teams garages and legends down in the paddock at motogp australia. The mchaffie brothers took out a lease of the whole of phillip island in 1842 and grazed sheep here. Learn about the island s history and aboriginal culture. Racing on public road circuits continued through to 1940. From 1997 to the present day, it is run at the scenic phillip island grand prix circuit south of melbourne, victoria. To view much of our photographic collection you will find it online at au. White raced his austin 7 to victory in the very first australian grand prix, held for cars on a 6.
Phillip island nature parks feels privileged to be entrusted with land management responsibilities across phillip island, and we recognise that many areas hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for aboriginal people. The current phillip island nature parks was created incorporating lands previously managed by the shire and department of conservation and environment. Located at the phillip island grand prix circuit, this small museum is dedicated to the history of motorsport on the island. Book picturesque world, or, scenes in many lands, with one thousand illustrations on wood and steel of picturesque views from all parts of the world comprising mountain, lake and river scenery, parks, palaces, cathedrals, churches, castles, abbeys, and other views selected from the most noted and interesting parts of the world. Book your phillip island grand prix circuit, ventnor holiday home online. Try to get in the middle of the grandstand about up the grandstand with a stair isle to your right as the way the corner is laid out in front of the grandstand you will find yourself leaning forward to see around the person to your right when the take turn 3 to 4. Race one at monza, 1990, seven raceway at phillip island, 2020 20 three years apart but far closer than you think both races of sign their results into the history books as the top two closest podiums of all time, with monster showcasing just eight thousands of second between the top three phillip island season opening podium was covered by just 40 one thousands of a second in both races. They lost all bar 640 acres around the homestead when the island was opened up for closer settlement during 186869.
The phillip island classic festival of motorsport historic racing over the long weekend in march is shaping up to be highly competitive with many past champions and legends of the sport competing in classic cars of yesteryear. Phillip island grand prix circuit ventnor 2020 all you need to. When the book was published, phillip island bookstores refused to stock it. Motorcycle shops lined both sides of the street until the 1970s andalong with the great ocean road and phillip island racetrackthis block is still a mustdo for visiting bike enthusiasts. Prior to 1997 the event was held at a number of different venues, most notably eastern creek west of sydney new south wales and bathurst in central western new. If you came to the track on the edge of the world hoping for a spectacle, you got more than your moneys worth. But the fact that the complex even exists today is due to an incredible saga that began. The 2019 phillip island supersprint known for sponsorship purposes as the wd40 phillip island supersprint was a motor racing event for the supercars championship, held on 1214 april 2019. Regarding the atcc at phillip island, the 76 and 77 endurance races were part of the title, there was then a race in 1990 that attracted the biggest field of the year i would guess that there would have been a lot of interest with racing going back to phillip island.
Dec 19, 2012 australias motorsport mecca is in the midst of its first major facelift in 14 years, with the islands hallowed 4. Coloured photographs of white pointer shark at anderson street, cowes, caught off phillip island, showing it being transported in a refrigerated van to queensland. Book your tickets online for phillip island grand prix circuit, ventnor. Oct 07, 2008 the answer, perhaps, lays in the nature of the racetrack itself rather than any of the attributes of the bikes that race here. Historic touring cars phillip island classic 2020 xy gtho. Boasting national parks filled with native species and scenery that looks like its stepped out of a book. Allowing you exclusive access to offlimits areas trackside including the control tower, race control where you get to see dramatic race vision on the circuits cctv system, media centre, pit lane, pit roof and of course where every racer wants to finish the winners podium being sprayed with champagne. Vic hislop caught the 7metre white pointer in 1987. A visit to the phillip island museum, or a browse of this website and others linked here, will teach you more about phillip island s fascinating history. Motorsport has been synonymous with phillip island since 1928, when british driver a. All, except the national vietnam veterans museum, capture the importance of each to phillip island s history.
If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 phillip island grand prix circuit tours on tripadvisor. Corporate and private function enquiries 61 3 595 22710. It was certainly was very basic in its early days pretty rugged for drivers, machinery and spectators to say the least. About 14 miles 23 km long and 6 miles 10 km at its widest, the island occupies 40 square miles 100 square km and rises to 360 feet 110 metres. It is also probably motogps most dangerous, especially when conditions are cold and windy like they were all weekend. It is even better when those old cars you were admiring earlier are racing around the track later in the day. The buyback and removal of the houses on the summerland peninsula continued. The phillip island classic is a day where cars of all ages and descriptions get out on the track so it is a great day for you if you like racing or just looking at old cars. Feb 02, 2016 this is based on ringrumbles v1 of phillip island, and converted by cranck 27 pitbox pit on ai fast lane ai pit lane 2 camera set physics road in high resolution.
Camping at phillip island gp circuit phillip island grand. Australian circuits are described and although he briefly mentions the phillip island. This follows strong advice from bass coast health that with additional people in the community over easter, the local health network would be unable to respond to the impacts of a covid19. Moto r racin g on phillip i sland began in 1928 with the running of the 100 miles road race, an event which has since become known as the first australian grand prix. History of motorsport museum phillip island, australia attractions. After the closure of the phillip island street circuit in 1951 a group of businessmen decided to restart motor racing at phillip island, so in 1951 the phillip island auto racing club was formed, the current site was purchased and work started on building the three mile international circuit. Following an inaugural meeting of the phillip island auto racing club piarc in 1952, the current circuit site was purchased from a mr p. I threw a couple of binaural clips in there so put your headphones on if you want a bit more. It is a nice easy drive from melbourne and a wonderful area to stay for the weekend with the coastal resorts on phillip island and along the coast to. You dont need to be a racing guru, you dont need to have a desire to break lap records, you dont even need a racing bike phillip island ride days are all about allowing you to experience the circuit at your own speed, on your own bike, in a safe and controlled environment. Melbourne businessman, muffler manufacturer and racing driver. Phillip island race track tentenths motorsport forum. Phillip island is one of the most iconic pieces of tarmac on the planet. Highlights from the saturday of the 2020 phillip island classic.
There has been little previous research into the history of the phillip island motor racing circuit. The museum is a unique, informative way of preserving phillip islands heritage and keeping the stories of the past alive. Check out the best tours and activities to experience phillip island circuit. Jun 02, 2015 phillip island plays an important role in the pantheon of australian motor racing history, not only did it hold the events described above, it was the place road racing first occurred in australia. This island paradise of abundant wildlife and picturesque bays attracted european settlement and a thriving fur seal trade in the early 1800s. Modak has been on elizabeth street since the 1930s, and mars leathers since 1946. Attended and took the guided tour and visited the history museum. The first race at phillip island was held back in 1928, on the local closed public roads. Mar 16, 2016 1978 stag formula vee at the 2016 phillip island classic. We recommend booking phillip island grand prix circuit tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Phillip island grand prix circuit, australia the prestigious phillip island race track is elevated to a higher stratosphere, nothing can compare with the motocross showdown raced against the backdrop of the ocean at the motogp australia 2019. Book historic phillip island victorian collections. This renowned motorsport festival runs for three days in the month of march.
Mar, 2016 the phillip island circuit, or the phillip island grand prix circuit, which is also the name used for this venue, is a permanent road track on phillip island in victoria, australia. Do you need to book in advance to visit phillip island grand prix circuit. See honda and yamaha battle it out against ducati and suzuki for place on the podium. The event was held at the phillip island grand prix circuit on phillip island, victoria, and consisted of one race of 120 kilometres 27 laps and one race of 200 kilometres 45 laps in length. Phillip island circuit things to do in phillip island. The phillip island grand prix circuit is a motor racing circuit located near ventnor, on phillip island, victoria, australia. There is only one narrow road in and out so when there are hundreds of cars all trying to get out at the same time it can take quite a while to get off the island. Phillip island, island astride the entrance to western port bay on the south coast of victoria, australia, southeast of melbourne. The andersons rd boat ramp and cafe is a 2min drive, 5 min walk to general store.
It utilised a high speed rectangle of local closedoff public roads with four similar right hand corners. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The social history of phillip island dates back over 40,000 years to the bunurong people, the original inhabitants of the western port region. Phillip island museums bring you one of the most eclectic mixes of interests, with something for everyone. Australias premier permanent road course, phillip island is a 2. Phillip island classic 2021 festival of speed motorsport. The phillip island and district historical society, based in cowes, is a great place to start if youre looking into your familys history or the cultural background of phillip island. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Explore a selection of 2000 holiday homes, including holiday houses, flats. The only problem with going to phillip island racetrack is always the getting out part. A history of motor sport since 1928, a book written by jim scaysbrook.
Phillip island is a circuit that rewards skill, bravery and cunning in equal measure, and allows competitors on unequal equipment to compete by compensating for the shortcomings of their equipment. Motorsport enthusiasts the world over, converge on the island to see the big name drivers and riders in action on the famous phillip island grand prix circuit. Today, in 21st century, phillip island is established as one of the worlds premiere motor sport venues a circuit that seems to bring out the very best in every type of racing on two, three or four wheels. Phillip island victoria australia history go west tours. This years wd40 phillip island supersprint on april 1517 will be a hugely significant one in the history books of the australian touring car championshipv8 supercars championship. An excerpt ran in the sunday age, which local newsagencies and corner stores wouldnt sell.
Worldsbk races comparison 2020 phillip island vs 1997. Guided circuit tour follow in the footsteps of motor racing champions. The stories behind melbournes streets melbourne central. Phillip island classic 2017 historic bike racing youtube. Now i look at how badly i drove im claiming it was due to corona virus lol. Just 12 km from phillip island penguin parade, 6 km from the grand prix circuit, short drive from the ventnor off leash dog beach off leash times vary throughout the year and other major attractions of phillip island. Object registration 741 keywords automobile racing, victoria, phillip island, history, motorcycle racing, drivers, australia, motorcyclists. The vhrr was established in 1976 to promote historic motor racing in victoria, and where possible assist with its growth throughout australia. You can still drive the original road course, its well marked. The thrilling, challenging circuit is very unforgiving in iffy weather and its so fast that theres rarely such a thing as a minor tumble there. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Phillip island is steeped in the history of australian motor racing. The woolamai race course is in a pretty country setting at the foot of the hills with views over the surrounding farmland.
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