The Australian Racing Drivers Club

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SMSP TO HOST RETURN OF SUPERCARS IN JUNE

May 16, 2020: Supercars has announced its long-awaited return to racing on the weekend of June 27-28, 2020 at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek (SMSP).

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of SMSP, has been working closely with Supercars and Motorsport Australia to identify possible dates and operational procedures for the former’s return to live racing within the continuing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Club is delighted to have reached an agreement with Supercars for Sydney Motorsport Park to be the chosen venue for the first live action event following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Recent assessments of the Western Sydney venue by Supercars concluded that the Sydney circuit will ensure a successful application of COVID-mandated procedures such as general security and access control, catering protocols, adherence to hygiene, the location of a team base at the Alpha Hotel next to the track, and current social distancing requirements.

While the June 2020 event is slated as a closed event from a spectator perspective, the ARDC believes the size and layout of SMSP can be utilised to accommodate some form of spectator allowance within current social distancing guidelines.

Feedback from the fans certainly indicates significant demand for live racing, and further approaches will be made to the relevant NSW Government authorities to investigate a limited ‘park and view’ in-car spectator format or similarly distanced spectating, so fans can be involved while ensuring their safety and health.

ARDC President Andrew Leithhead said: “The ARDC team has been focussing on establishing procedures and protocols that will facilitate a rapid return to motor-racing at Sydney Motorsport Park while complying with COVID protection requirements.

“’Safety first’ is key to all our operations at SMSP, and this applies as much to COVID protection as to motorsport safety.

We are very excited at the prospect of Supercar racing at SMSP only six weeks from today.”

With the expedited progression of the SMSP circuit lighting project during COVID-19 lockdown, both the ARDC and Supercars also continue discussions about the return of a Sydney Supercars SuperNight event later in 2020.

Following the launch in early May of the first of 132 light towers across all circuit configurations on the venue, a further 45 poles have since been erected in just 10 days. The lighting project, originally brought on four years ago after discussions about night racing between Supercars and the ARDC, has seen a $16.4 million investment in SMSP to upgrade to a facility that can run night and day; key to meeting the demands of all levels of motorsport from track days and grass-roots racing, though to the premier Australian motorsport category of Supercars.

ARDC/SMSP:                                                                                                   SUPERCARS:
Samantha Stevens                                                                                         Felicity Hamblin
M: 0411494414                                                                                              M: 0467 785 203
email:  Samantha.Stevens@ardc.com.au                                                       Email: fhamblin@supercars.com

 

MEDIA RELEASE: POLE POSITION AT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK – A NEW ERA OF RACING

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2020: The first of 132 light towers was installed on pole position today at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), placing the Western Sydney venue in the spotlight as Australia’s first permanent motorsport facility with the ability to operate both day and night.

The light tower was craned in and installed in front of representatives from the NSW Government, Supercars, and the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), signalling a new era of motorsport in Australia.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said he was proud to see the NSW Government’s strategic multi-million-dollar investment at SMSP come to fruition, resulting in permanent circuit lighting and the establishment of Australia’s first and only motorsport Centre of Excellence.

“It’s a new era of racing and the 2020 Lighting Project at the Western Sydney Motorsport Precinct couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said.

“We know that COVID-19 is taking its toll on this State, and racing can be a real morale boost for those isolating at home, so it will be fantastic when motor racing gets back on track.”

The project will see SMSP lead the field to become the ‘Silverstone of the southern hemisphere’; not only opening up track access for motorsport, but also substantial opportunities to further grow local tourism, investment, employment, and the development of existing on-site programs targeting performance engineering, education and training.

“ARDC’s strategic direction will build on motorsport engineering excellence to develop a Western Sydney hub for technology innovation and education,” said ARDC President, Andrew Leithhead.

“This lighting project will enable Sydney Motorsport Park to become a 24/7 home for a broad spectrum of stakeholders in motorsport, driver training, tourism, entertainment and manufacturing in the heart of Australia’s fastest growing urban area.”

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said the introduction of lights at SMSP offered significant opportunities for the future of motorsport in Australia.

“Seeing this project come to life is fantastic for Supercars and our fans across the state,” he said.

“To be able to race at night under permanent lights here at SMSP is something we’ve been working towards for a long time. We look forward to getting on track as soon as possible.”

SMSP delivers year-round events which attract 330,000 visitors annually, with over 35 major events and multiple grassroots racing and car club events, plus many school and community events from across Greater Sydney.

“Sydney Motorsport Park is one of the busiest tracks not just in Australia, but in the world,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.

“We enjoy an occupancy rate of around 96%, and that was one of the reasons the Government was happy to support us in providing funding for the permanent lighting project.

“Lighting allows us to fit even more events into our calendar; not only enabling motorsport fans and enthusiasts, competitors and manufacturers more access to our world-class facility, but also opening doors for substantial opportunities to further grow the Western Sydney night economy.”

The $33M package of Government initiatives for the broader Western Sydney motorsport precinct saw $16.4 million go towards creating Australia’s first motorsport circuit with permanent lighting.

The 2020 Lighting Project will see 132 light towers with 864 individual light fittings placed around the four circuits and training Skidpan at SMSP. Advances in technology have allowed a minimum 400LUX lighting for all circuit configurations, and 800LUX on the main Brabham Straight, with the ability to run the circuits independently to save power. The system itself has a green tick, utilising the latest LED Technology from world leaders in floodlighting systems, MUSCO Lighting.

The unfortunate circumstances surrounding COVID-19 from February this year saw the temporary shutting of the Eastern Creek track, however this allowed the lighting project to move ahead rapidly, while maintaining approximately 100 jobs on site. The installation of the lighting at SMSP will continue at racing pace during this enforced track shutdown, ready for racers to get back on track when current restrictions lift.

DETAILS: The SMSP Lighting Project

  • $16.4 million Government investment
  • 132 light towers, including 864 individual light fittings.
  • Lighting all four variations of the circuit, plus paddock and skid pan.
  • Power is 800LUX main Brabham Straight, with a minimum of 400LUX on the rest of the circuit. Temporary lights seen in the inaugural Sydney SuperNight in 2019 had temporary generator-powered lights capable of 150LUX.
  • Ability to light individual parts of the track and precinct, plus change the colour of the lighting on the main straight.
  • Over 100 jobs created and maintained through COVID-19, plus local manufacturing support.
  • Technology: Lighting the smaller Druitt North Circuit five years ago quoted at $17 million, now entire circuit and precinct for $16.4 million with fibre optic connection.
  • Projected 40% increase in access capacity.
  • The first official event to mark the return of racing at SMSP (after and subject to COVID-19 restrictions) is hoped to be Supercars under lights, using a combination of the new light towers and generator light towers.

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB (ARDC)

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, known as the ARDC, has promoted motorsport in NSW for over 68 years. Commencing in 1952 at Parramatta Park, the ARDC has conducted events for cars and motorcycles at Mount Panorama Bathurst, Mt Druitt, Castlereagh, Catalina Park Katoomba, Amaroo Park and at its current home, Sydney Motorsport Park in the booming suburbs of Western Sydney.

The goal of the ARDC is to create a world-class motorsport park in the heart of Australia’s global city – Sydney. As official operators and custodians of Sydney Motorsport Park for over 20 years, the ARDC continually looks to build and enhance the venue’s reputation as Australia’s true Home of Motorsport.

Over recent years the ARDC has continued to build on its long-standing vision and business plan for Sydney Motorsport Park. This new master plan and vision describes the development of a highly engaging motorsport precinct and destination, with a range of world-class events, driving/riding experiences (concepts and categories), excellence in driver education and training, public “motortainment”, motorsport/auto support services and business park.

ardc.com.au

ABOUT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK

Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP, originally known as Eastern Creek International Raceway) was officially opened in 1990 and is owned by the NSW Government. It has been operated by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) since 1997.

It is Sydney’s only permanent racetrack, and one of just two permanent race circuits in Australia that holds a FIA/FIM Grade 2 International Licence. The purpose-built 92ha motorsport facility west of Sydney features four race circuit configurations to suit a number of motorsport activities; the Brabham Circuit, Gardner GP, Druitt (North) and Amaroo (South). SMSP is also Sydney’s main hub for driver safety, education and vehicle testing, featuring a floodable Skidpan, Skid Circuit, and 4WD training track.

The North Paddock boasts fifty garages lining pit lane, offering easy access for transporters and a secure base for cars, bikes, equipment and personnel. The support paddock has a bitumen surface, a dummy grid for fifty cars, multiple carports and a scrutineering building.

SydneyMotorsportPark.com.au

Media contacts:

ARDC/SMSP:                                                             SUPERCARS:
Samantha Stevens                                                           Felicity Hamblin
M: 0411494414                                                               M: 0467 785 203
email:  samantha.stevens@ardc.com.au                         Email: fhamblin@supercars.com

 

SPECTATOR ADVICE – COVID-19 VIRUS

UPDATED JUNE 2021:
We love motorsport here at the ARDC and Sydney Motorsport Park, and to ensure we can keep our sport at full speed in the midst of COVID-19, we are asking all visitors to the park, including staff, competitors and promoters, to follow the latest information and advice from NSW Health and the World Health Organization (WHO).

23/06/21: COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FOR GREATER SYDNEY

The following restrictions are currently in place at Sydney Motorsport Park:

– Masks are compulsory in all indoor settings.

– The one person per four square metre rule in in play for all indoor and outdoor settings, including garages.

– The Grandstand is limited to 50% seated capacity.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated information and advice in this page.

For more information, read the NSW Health official release: https://www.nsw.gov.au/…/new-covid-19-restrictions-for…

Be safe, stay well – ARDC Team, SMSP

VENUE

Our first priority, whether you are racing, riding or spectating at SMSP, is the safety and well-being of all persons on our venue.

Most daily experiences at SMSP have under 500 people in attendance, and we sit on 90-odd hectares, so low risk events and experiences are currently going ahead with all current NSW Health safety and hygiene practices in play.
Any events near to or over 500 attendees are currently restricted in numbers depending on the areas and gates in use. Please check the CALENDAR for all up to date information on individual event restrictions.

We are following guidelines from NSW Health in regards to crowds and events, and we are monitoring their recommendations as the situation changes rapidly.

We will communicate updates via our socials and website as news comes to hand.

ACTIVITIES

We will be working with promoters and clients now to determine the suitability of their upcoming events.

We will provide updates via our website and social media channels as the situation develops.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

You can help us and help others by following these basic preventative measures:

  • Stay home and not attend if you are feeling unwell
  • Stay home and not attend if you have been to a country considered at higher risk of covid-19 (excluding airport transit) in the past 14 days
  • Practice simple hygiene by:
    Making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub
    Covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow.

CANCELLATIONS / POSTPONING EVENTS

Should events be cancelled / postponed as directed by NSW Health or Promoters, we will communicate updates via social media and our website.

YOUR RISK

This virus doesn’t affect us all equally. Those with pre-existing medical conditions (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, lung issues) are at a higher particular risk. We suggest you take extra precautions and even recommend avoiding gatherings and crowds as much as possible.

UPDATES

Latest updates are provided by NSW Health, please follow the links below
FAQs: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
Latest: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-latest.aspx
We will communicate updates via our socials and websites www.sydneymotorsportpark.com.au, http://shop.smsp.com.au and www.ardc.com.au.

This is a highly dynamic situation, and all of us will have to adapt and adjust as appropriate.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation in the coming days and weeks as we tackle these challenges together.

Thank you,

The ARDC Team @SMSP.

SYDNEY SHINES BRIGHT NEW LIGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF MOTORSPORT IN NSW

Saturday 23 February 2019: Today’s announcement by the NSW Government of a strategic multi-million-dollar investment at Sydney Motorsport Park in permanent circuit lighting and the establishment of Australia’s only Motor Sports Centre of Excellence has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) – operators of Sydney Motorsport Park since 1997.

The news is part of an all-encompassing $33M package of Government initiatives for the broader Western Sydney motorsport precinct, which also includes work to find a new operations site for Motorcycling NSW and improvements to the adjacent Sydney Dragway.

ARDC President Andrew Leithhead commented “The ARDC views this additional Government investment in Sydney Motorsport Park as an important continuation of the Club’s long-standing commitment to excellence within the Australian motorsport industry.”

The ARDC has a proven record of co-investing with Government in the SMSP venue. In just the last 8 years well over $23M has been invested back into the Park, with the not-for-profit ARDC contributing over $16M of its own funds, combined with a 2012 Government contribution of $7M towards the new Brabham circuit extension. Each year the ARDC invests well over $1M in track maintenance and development, and this is set to continue and grow.

“The ARDC projects a 40% increase in access capacity at the perennially booked-out Government venue.

A newly expanded SMSP calendar allows for strong increases in the level of innovative high-demand Tier 1 motorsport events headlined by the Supercars Championship night racing and other major events.

“This is a great step forward in our plans for Sydney,” said Sean Seamer (Supercars CEO).

“The 2018 night race was a fantastic proof of concept and since then, Glenn Matthews and his team have done a wonderful job to secure these significant upgrades which will establish Sydney Motorsport Park as an elite, 24/7 motorsport facility. We look forward to the SuperNight format returning in 2020 and moving on to the second phase of our partnership with the ARDC and NSW Government, which is to establish a Supercars team in Sydney, based at SMSP.” Seamer added.

Seamer said a Sydney-based team would have the advantage of calling the booming western corridor home along with the premium facilities offered at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“A Sydney franchise would have premium facilities on their doorstep,” he said.

“This initiative will provide a manufacturer, team and their partners with immediate access to an international race track, premium function facilities for major corporate events, vehicle launches, drive days, vehicle appreciation sessions, product R&D and conferences.

“This also provides the catalyst to link Supercars’ technology, education and training with Western Sydney’s strong tertiary education and engineering communities.

“A Sydney-based team will also have the growing greater Western Sydney community as a support base given the huge number of Supercars fans in the western corridor of Australia’s largest city.” Seamer said.

“It’s also a lot more than just expanding traditional motorsport activity at the track.” Leithhead continued.

“Circuit lighting now opens the doors for substantial opportunities to further grow the Western Sydney night economy, local tourism, as well as significantly expanding the existing on-site programs targeting performance engineering education and training, innovation and technology development. Investments such as these can only further leverage major game-changing infrastructure projects such as the Western Sydney Airport to deliver more jobs, investment and visitors to Western Sydney and help ensure Sydney Motorsport Park builds on its reputation as Australia’s number one motorsport venue.” Leithhead added.

The ARDC delivers year-round events which attract 330,000 visitors p.a. and includes over 35 major events and multiple grassroots racing and car club events annually, plus many school and community events from across Greater Sydney. For the past two years, the not-for-profit ARDC has also been developing plans and engaging with leaders across the motorsport, skills and education, government and private sector industries both here and abroad to capitalise on the opportunities that exist within the SMSP site and broader Western Sydney area – one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

SMSP is already the new permanent home to motoDNA TECHNOLOGY, the research and development division of the motoDNA Group as part of the ARDC’s emerging SMSP Motorsport Institute and Innovation Hub.  motoDNA TECHNOLOGY utilises its close association with the ARDC and immediate access to the circuit to rapidly advance its developments in the areas of rider safety research and technology which it recently embarked upon in conjunction with Yamaha Australia.

ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews noted “We have a long-held, strong working relationship with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport. The location of the new Motor Sports Centre of Excellence at Sydney Motorsport Park is fantastic, and we certainly don’t underestimate the opportunities that will arise from working more closely with CAMS and key industry partners such as Supercars.”

“It’s important that together we have been able to break the dominance of Melbourne and the Gold Coast as the sole location of technical development in Australia.  The new Centre of Excellence is a standout example of the high regard the NSW Government, CAMS, Supercars and other key players hold both the venue, and the ARDC Club”. Matthews added

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB (ARDC)

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, known as the ARDC, has promoted motorsport in NSW for over 67 years. Commencing in 1952 at Parramatta Park, the ARDC has conducted events for cars and motorcycles at Mount Panorama Bathurst, Mt Druitt, Castlereagh, Catalina Park Katoomba, Amaroo Park and at its current home, Sydney Motorsport Park in the booming suburbs of Western Sydney.

The goal of the ARDC is to create a world-class motorsport park in the heart of Australia’s global city – Sydney. As official operators & custodians of Sydney Motorsport Park for over 20 years, the ARDC continually looks to build and enhance the venue’s reputation as Australia’s true Home of Motorsport.

Over recent years the ARDC has continued to build on its long-standing vision and business plan for Sydney Motorsport Park. This new master plan and vision describes the development of a highly engaging motorsport precinct and destination, with a range of world-class events, driving/riding experiences (concepts and categories), excellence in driver education and training, public “motortainment”, motorsport/auto support services and business park.

ABOUT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK

Sydney Motorsport Park (originally known as Eastern Creek International Raceway) was officially opened in 1990 and is owned by the NSW Government. It has been operated by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) since 1997.

It is Sydney’s only permanent race track, and one of just two permanent race circuits in Australia that holds a FIA/FIM Grade 2 International Licence. The purpose-built 92ha motorsport facility west of Sydney features four race circuit configurations to suit a number of motorsport activities; the Brabham Circuit, Gardner GP, Druitt (North) and Amaroo (South), along with the Skid Circuit.

The North Paddock boasts fifty garages lining pit lane, offering easy access for transporters and a secure base for cars, bikes, equipment and personnel. The support paddock has a bitumen surface, a dummy grid for fifty cars, multiple carports and a scrutineering building. Sydney Motorsport Park is also Sydney’s main hub for driver safety, education and vehicle testing. To accommodate these activities, the venue features Sydney’s largest purpose-build, floodable Skidpan, and a separate Figure 8.

ABOUT SMSP MOTORSPORT INSTITUTE AND INNOVATION HUB.

Modelled off the United Kingdom’s Silverstone Park’s University Technical College (UTC) and Innovation Centre, the ability to co-locate with the auto industry, technical education and exhibition sectors will enable SMSP to become home to cutting-edge employment and education programs and increase its appeal as an attractive and highly unique events venue.

Media contact, ARDC/SMSP:
Glenn Matthews (CEO)

(02) 9672 1000 or M: 0418865924
email:  glenn@ardc.com.au

THE NEW MOTORCYCLE LANDSCAPE AT SMSP IN 2019

OFFICIAL RELEASE, 08/11/2019: THE AUSTRALIAN Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park, is excited to announce a new and exciting motorcycle experiences line-up for 2019.

Leading at the first turn will be Motorcycle Events Group Australia (MEGA) directing the SMSP RIDE DAYS track-based program, alongside the motoDNA Riders Academy taking charge of all rider coaching and training needs. Completing the grid is the globally-recognised California Superbike School (CSS).

The selection of MEGA, motoDNA and CSS to spearhead the program came after an exhaustive six-month review by the ARDC of bike activity at Sydney Motorsport Park, and investigations into best practice procedures around the country and overseas. Extensive research was conducted into what riders really enjoyed about their time on track, and track users and ARDC Bike Members also submitted their suggestions and ideas for improvement.

This included rider/group selection, scheduling of experiences across the week and year, circuit selection, maximising rider track-time, the involvement of manufacturers and industry, coaching and rider safety, the opportunity to develop special interest days, building rider community events, and last but not least offering riders the widest selection of rider experiences at the best value for money available.

This research was followed by an Australia-wide call for expressions of interest to the country’s best operators, and as the saying goes, cream rises to the top.

“We are particularly excited about the MEGA/motoDNA collaboration which will see over sixty days of two-wheel action at the Park throughout the year,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.

“We’ll see the welcome return of long-standing SMSP partner, MEGA, and motoDNA have really ramped up their operations to become SMSP’s inaugural Resident Rider Training Provider.

“Steve (Brouggy, MEGA) and Mark (McVeigh, motoDNA) have been working closely together over the past few months to begin building what will be an amazing 2019 for the rider community,” added Matthews.

MEGA promises not only to bring back its industry-leading format, but to also make some major leaps forward in the process of how Ride Days are presented with cutting edge technology matched with good old-fashioned customer service.

“We’re really happy to be returning to Sydney Motorsport Park and partnering with the ARDC for the provision of SMSP Ride Days,” said Steve Brouggy of MEGA.

“MEGA’s focus for the past 24 years has been on providing the best possible rider experience for each and every attendee of our events, and we’re more enthusiastic than ever to be doing exactly that at SMSP for the next five years… As far as we’re concerned, January 1 can’t come soon enough!”

motoDNA’s Mark McVeigh said: “I’m very excited to partner with ARDC as both the motoDNA Riders Academy and motoDNA TECHNOLOGY companies are now based on the racetrack at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“The ARDC have some great plans for the future at SMSP and we feel very privileged to be a part of it.

“Ultimately our job at motoDNA is to turn ordinary people into extraordinary riders in a fun and safe environment and collaborating with MEGA will help us both provide awesome new products for all levels of our motorcycle community at the Park.”

Both MEGA and motoDNA have confirmed five-year agreements, locking in their tenure at SMSP until 2023 and allowing both businesses to build, invest and consolidate their commitment to SMSP and the loyal rider base that call Sydney Motorsport Park their home.

It also paves the way for the ARDC to work on further developments in the areas of rider safety research and technology which it is advancing with motoDNA TECHNOLOGY, the research and development division of the motoDNA Group which resides at SMSP as part of the emerging SMSP Innovation Hub.

“There’s never been a better time for riders to consider becoming a Member of the ARDC,” said Matthews.

“Bike Members will be able to take advantage of a myriad of great Member-Only offers, incentives and invitations by our experience partners, and it also offers complimentary access to events at SMSP throughout the year.”

There’s a lot to look forward to on two-wheels in 2019, and we’d love to see you trackside.

For more information contact:
Samantha Stevens, Media and Communications Manager
The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, Sydney Motorsport Park.
T +61 2 9672 0207
F +61 2 9672 0209
M +61 411 494 414
E samantha.stevens@ardc.com.au

THE ARDC GRAND PRIX

On the Saturday of the Bathurst 1000 this year (October 6) it will be exactly 60 years since the ARDC ran the 23rd Australian Grand Prix at Mount Panorama, Bathurst. At this fabulous meeting not only was the 1958 Australian Grand Prix decided but the 1958 Australian Tourist Trophy was run and won. This was the quaint old name given to the Australian Sports Car Championship. At the time Australian Motor Sports magazine described it as “the best motor racing meeting for some time”.

The Tourist Trophy was run over 26 laps of the 3.8 mile (6.115 kilometre) circuit at 3.10pm on Saturday October 5.

Many of the fancied entries were Jaguar powered such as Ron Phillips (Cooper Jaguar), Frank Cantwell from New Zealand (Tojero Jaguar), Bill Pitt (D Type), Jack Murray (D Type) and Frank Matich (C Type). There were 3 current model DB3S Aston Martins for David McKay, Tom Sulman and Warren Bloomfield. Another car which could not be discounted was Doug Whiteford’s 3 litre ex-works Maserati 300S.

Bill Pitt pushed the D Type Jaguar into the lead at the start from David McKay (Aston Martin DB3S), Derek Jolly’s little 1500cc Lotus 15 and Doug Whiteford (Maserati 300S). Whiteford easily worked his way up to the lead but on lap 10 he was caught by a gust of wind on the second hump on Conrod Straight. There was no Chase chicane in those days. Whiteford spun out of control straight through Murrays Corner and down the escape road to Bathurst. He bounced off four fences as he went almost being flung out of the car. Fortunately he suffered only bruising.

This left McKay comfortably in the lead from Jolly and Phillips. After a brief rain shower this was the final order after 26 laps.

Up until 1958 the Australian Grand Prix had always been a classic Formula Libre run what you brung type of race in which sports cars were often highly competitive. As an example of the increasing sophistication of Australian racing and the increasing number of competitive sports/racing cars in the country sports cars of any type were banned from the 1958 AGP. Even though the field was made up of open wheelers only there was tremendous variety in the best Formula Libre tradition.

There were big cars like the Alf Harvey 4.5 litre V12 OSCA which had run in the 1951 Italian GP. There were small cars like the Ralt Vincent of Noel Hall that finished third in heat 1 but failed to start in the GP itself. There were old cars like Ray Walmsley’s 1934 Grand Prix Alfa Romeo P3 whose original straight 8 supercharged engine was long gone. Like the Ern Seeliger Maybach, the Curly Brydon Ferrari and the Ted Gray Tornado Walmsley was relying on a new 260 cubic inch Corvette V8 to provide reliable lightweight power. Merv Neal’s Cooper (chassis F2/20/58) was probably the newest car – it even had disc brakes all round!

The field for the AGP was split into two heats which were held on Saturday afternoon. Heat one appeared to be for the slowest half of the field and heat two for the fastest.

Heat 1 was initially led by Allan Ferguson driving the spectacular Holden powered MG Special known as “Isk”. He was chased by the little air-cooled twin cylinder Ralt of Noel Hall and the Jaguar Special driven by Jack Robinson. Alf Harvey started slowly from pole position in the ex-Prince Bira OSCA 4500G. This car was famously fragile but as the heat progressed Harvey gained confidence and speed. He won the race with a fastest lap of 2.59.5 and a registered speed through the flying quarter mile of 133.33mph (214.573kph).

Heat 2 was for the fast cars. Gray was on pole in the Tornado Corvette but Jones’ Maserati led the field through Hell Corner from Mildren (Cooper) and Davison (Ferrari). On lap 2 Jones dropped oil on the exit of the cutting. Mildren spun on it and was hit by New Zealander Tom Clark (Ferrari Super Squalo). Gray hit the lead on lap 2 and won easily from Jones and Davison. Gray’s fastest lap was 2.50.0.

At the start of the Australian Grand Prix Jones jumped into the lead from Davison and pole man Gray. These three were 7 seconds clear of the rest after only 1 lap. New Zealander Clark passed Neil’s Cooper Climax on lap 2 and settled into a lonely 4th place.

By lap 10 Gray was 8 seconds clear of the battling Jones/Davison duo. 50 seconds behind was the Clark Ferrari with the Seeliger (Maybach) and Hawkes (Cooper Holden) fight another 4 seconds back. Clark dropped back and pitted on lap 18 with overheating. He continued but was much slower.

Alf Harvey in the OSCA was getting faster (2.58.0 fastest lap) but blew a spark plug clean through the bonnet and had to retire. Having led from lap 3 Gray pitted to report strange handling on lap 22. Fuel was sloshed around the fuel filler with only a small proportion going in. Gray was shouting at the mechanics but he was sent back out with no correcting action. He returned to the pits next lap after glancing off a barrier to have some chassis bolts tightened. After 2 slow laps the car was retired after achieving a fastest lap of 2.45.5 and a top speed of 155.17mph (249.722kph).

With the Tornado out Stan Jones was left in the lead. Lex Davison was all over him but Jones held him off even with a non-operating clutch in the Maserati. Coming down the mountain on lap 26 the Jones Maserati trailed thin, then thick blue smoke out of Forrest’s Elbow. Davison swept by and then slowed to coast to victory. He was just over 2 minutes ahead of runner up Ern Seeliger in the Maybach Corvette with Tom Hawkes 6 seconds back in the Cooper Holden.

In his victory speech at the presentation dinner Lex Davison referred to the Cooper Climaxes as “Anti-Climaxes”. History would show that a small rear engine car was the way of the future, even in Formula 1.

Incidentally it has been 20 years since the ARDC last ran a race meeting at Mount Panorama, Bathurst. That was the 1998 AMP Bathurst 1000. Also it was just over 20 years ago, in August 1998, that Amaroo Park hosted its last meeting. The registered office of the ARDC was at Amaroo Park in Annangrove from 1970 to 1996.

Brian Goulding