Australia - Phillip Island| Australia - Phillip Island | | Print | |
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17 october 2010
USEFUL INFO
On the 10th of August 2005, snow was observed on the island.[4] This was a very unusual event. HISTORY& GEOCLIMATE THE CIRCUITTrack History Current Circuit: 1951 A historically significant meeting of six local businessmen decided to re-establish motor racing at Phillip Island. 1956 Between 1952 and 1956 the building of the circuit had met with major engineering hurdles, and PIARC had to call for more money from its shareholders. The Grand Opening Meeting was held with much acclaim in December 1956. 1957-58 Phillip Island stages numerous trophy races including the Australian Motorsport Magazine Trophy Race 1957; the Formula Libre race of l958 and the Phillip Island Trophy race of l958. 1960 The Light Car Club of Australia developed and staged the inaugural Armstrong 500 – a 500mile event which was Australia's first long distance race and a precursor to today's Bathurst enduro. The race was won by Frank Coad and John Roxburgh driving a Vauxhall Cresta. They completed the race in eight hours 15 minutes. It was a David & Goliath achievement, because the unknown Vauxhall pilots beat the highly fancied pairing of Bob Jane and Harry Firth in a Mercedes. Jack Brabham wins the Moomba Trophy driving a Cooper Climax T51. 1962 Due to extensive track damage resulting from the 1962 Armstrong 500, PIARC is unable to repair the damages and the track is closed. Subsequently Phillip Island loses the long distance event, which is transferred to Bathurst. 1963 Melbourne businessman, muffler manufacturer and racing driver, Len Lukey purchases the Phillip Island circuit with a view to redevelopment. 1966 The circuit reopens for racing in April 1966 in the heyday of sportscar racing. 1966-1970's Phillip Island hosts numerous rounds of the touring car championship. In the '60's, names like Pete Geoghegan, Bob Jane and Norm Beechey starred; while in the '70s drivers like Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, Dick Johnson, John Harvey and Colin Bond were established and over the decade became household names. 1973 Peter Brock wins at Phillip Island in his Holden Dealer Team LJ GTR XUI Torana to claim the 1973 Manufacturers Championship. Late 1970's Due to extensive track damage, racing declined at Phillip Island, with the property farmed by its owners. 1985 Phillip Island Circuit purchased by Placetac Pty Ltd, with the view to re-introducing racing to the famous facility. 1988 Barfield Pty Ltd, led by engineer and promoter, Bob Barnard, was awarded a round of the world motorcycle championship. Barfield granted lease on land and begins restoration of the track and facilities. 1989 Phillip Island stages Australia's first round of the 500cc World Motorcycle Championship on April 6-9. In an emotional victory in front of a crowd of 90 000 plus, the race was won by the Wollongong wizz and world champion, Wayne Gardner. Phillip Island stages Swan Six Hour Motorcycle Endurance Race. Domestic racing resumes for both cars and motorcycles. 1990 Phillip Island hosts its first round of the Superbike World Championship. Phillip Island continues to host a round each year and over the past decade Aussie names racing in the dynamic formula include Michael Doohan, Peter Goddard, Michael Dowson, Rob Phillis, Kevin Magee, Anthony Gobert, Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss. 1991 Phillip Island loses its round of the 500 cc World Motorcycle Grand Prix to Sydney's Eastern Creek, outbid by the NSW government to attract the event to Sydney. 1993 Phillip Island stages its first round of the Shell Australia Touring Car Championship. It was voted as the best round in Australia for that year and again in 1994. Phillip Island Circuit continued as one of the leading circuits for racing and testing to Australia's top touring car teams. 1996 Australian superbike rider, Troy Corser, wins the Superbike World Championship on board a Ducati at the October race at Phillip Island. Australian Touring Car Championship changes its name to V8 Supercars and Phillip Island continues to host an annual round. 1997 After a six year absence, Phillip Island wins back the right to stage the 500 cc World Motorcycle Grand Prix. Mick Doohan had already secured his fourth straight GP crown when the race came to Island in October l997. Unfortunately Doohan crashed out whilst leading and Spain's Alex Criville took out the round. 1998 Mick Doohan wins his fifth World title, winning the Phillip Island round to clinch the 500 cc World Motorcycle GP in front of a crowd of 75,000. 2002 The action continues with March's round of the World Superbike Championship delivering an Australian trifecta. World superbike champion, Taree's Troy Bayliss wins both superbike races; while world supersport champion, Kempsey's Andrew Pitt takes the supersport battle. http://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au |
