Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Armstrong 500 (1960–1962) Australian Grand Prix (Road Circuit) (1928–1935) | |
| Website | https://www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/ |
|---|---|
| Modern Grand Prix Circuit (1988–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.445 km (2.762 miles) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.0607 ( Tim Slade, Brabham BT62, 2022, Sports car racing) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1952–1978) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.800 km (3.000 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:47.900 ( John Harvey, McLaren M6B, 1972, Group A) |
| Road Course (1936–1940) | |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Length | 5.330 km (3.312 miles) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Road Course (1928–1935) | |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Length | 10.6 km (6.5 miles) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Race lap record | 4:49.4 ( Bill Thompson, Bugatti Type 37A, 1932) |
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing circuit located near
History
Road circuit
Motor racing on Phillip Island began in 1928 with the running of the
A new 3.312 mi (5.330 km) triangular circuit utilising the pit straight from the original rectangular course was subsequently mapped out and first used for the Australian Race Drivers' Cup on 5 November 1935.[4] The final car event on the circuit was held on Cup Day (1 November) 1938[5] and the final motorcycle race meeting was conducted on 30 January 1940.[6]
Significant events staged at the Phillip Island road circuit included:
- 1928 100 Miles Road Race
- 1929 Australian Grand Prix
- 1930 Australian Grand Prix
- 1931 Australian Grand Prix
- 1932 Australian Grand Prix
- 1933 Australian Grand Prix
- 1934 Phillip Island 100
- 1934 Australian Grand Prix
- 1934 Winter 100
- 1934 Victorian Centenary Grand Prix
- 1935 Centenary 300
- 1935 Australian Grand Prix
- 1935 Jubilee Handicap
- 1935 Winter 100
- 1935 Australian Race Drivers' Cup
- 1936 Victorian Sporting Car Club Trophy
- 1936 Australian Tourist Trophy
- 1937 Phillip Island Trophy
- 1938 Phillip Island Grand Prix
Grand Prix circuit
1952–1962
In 1951, a group of six local businessmen decided to build a new track. About 2 km (1.2 mi) away from the original circuit, it still bears the corner name signs of the original circuit. As the piece of available land was on the edge of the coast, the track is known for its steep grades – the highest 57 metres – which caused cost overruns and delays in track opening. The new track was opened in 1952
1967–1978
The circuit reopened in October 1967[7] and hosted the Phillip Island 500 endurance race, a round of the Australian Manufacturers' Championship, from 1971 to 1977. The race was also a round of the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1976 and 1977. But again, due to its testing terrain, the circuit required significant maintenance and slowly declined through the 1970s. It was farmed by its owners while closed and was then sold in 1985 in preparation for reopening, but did not do so until 1988 after agreement on a long-term lease and rebuild agreement. During the time the circuit deteriorated and finally closed, part of the main problem for its owners was that the Phillip Island Bridge from the island to the Australian mainland reportedly could not carry the heavy vehicles needed to resurface the circuit. This meant that the bitumen surface was a cold mix which easily broke up under the rigours of racing, instead of the standard hot mix which would have allowed a more durable surface. It would not be until the mid-1980s that the bridge would be rebuilt allowing the necessary equipment needed for resurfacing.
1988–present
The circuit was refurbished with a reduced length of 4.445 km (2.762 mi) and was reopened on 4 December 1988 for the final round of the 1988 Swann Insurance International Series for motorcycles.[8]
In 1989, the
Phillip Island hosted its first
ZXR750) won the two races for what was Round 12 of the season, with Goddard having secured pole position. The World Superbike round continues to be held annually at Phillip Island to this day.In
The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has always been more of a promoter event than a profit-raiser in itself. The contract was prolonged until 2026, although tobacco advertising has been banned since 2007.
Important dates
- 1951: A historically significant meeting of six local businessmen decided to re-establish motor racing at Phillip Island.
- 1952: A steering committee formed and the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) developed with a dream "to build Australia's first international grand prix circuit".The current site was purchased in that year. PIARC calls for 7000 subscriptions at 10 pounds each to assist in the development of the circuit and building work begins. An Alfa was used to measure the three-mile distance required for international certification as an International Circuit.
- 1957: Phillip Island stages numerous trophy races including the Australian Motorsport Magazine Trophy Race 1957, the Formula Libre race of 1958 and the Phillip Island Trophy race of 1958.
- 1960: The inaugural Armstrong 500 endurance race is won by Frank Coad and John Roxburgh driving a Vauxhall Cresta. They completed the race in 8 hours 15 minutes.
- 1962: The circuit is damaged during the running of the 1962 Armstrong 500 and is subsequently closed to racing.
- 1964: Businessman and former Today, a corner on the circuit is named after Lukey.
- 1967: The circuit reopens with a newly laid surface at the "Grand Re-Opening Meeting" on 22 October 1967.[10]
- 1971: The first Phillip Island 500Kendurance race is held
- 1978: The circuit is closed,[11] having become virtually unusable for modern racing and, between 1979 and 1982, it is used only for historic rallies and cub sprints.[12]
- 1985: Phillip Island Circuit purchased by Placetac Pty Ltd, with the view to re-introducing racing to the famous facility.
- 1988: The circuit is refurbished with a reduced length of 4.449 kilometres and is reopened on 4 December 1988 for the final round of the 1988 Swann Insurance International Series for motorcycles.[8]
- 1989: The 1989 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix, the first World Championship round in Australia, is held at the circuit on 9 April.[13]
- 1990: Phillip Island hosts its first round of the Superbike World Championship. The circuit also hosts its first sprint round of the Australian Touring Car Championship.
- 1996: Australian superbike rider, Superbike World Championship on board a Ducatiat the October race at Phillip Island.
- 1997: The Australian motorcycle Grand Prix returns to Phillip Island, where it becomes a permanent fixture.
- 1998: Australian Michael Doohan wins the motorcycle Grand Prix. The first corner is named after him.
- 2000: Simon Wills sets a longstanding outright lap record of the circuit in the Formula Holden category.
- 2004: The circuit and surrounding land is purchased by the Linfox corporation with a view to complement the circuit with facilities such as an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course and a 5-star hotel.
- 2006: A multimillion-dollar re-development was undertaken in late 2006 by the Linfox Group, including the construction of a new kartingcircuit.
- 2008: The V8 Supercars. The race is held four times before once again becoming defunct.
- 2012: Australian Casey Stoner wins his sixth consecutive Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, as well as his last career Grand Prix victory. Before the race, the third corner of the circuit is named after Stoner.[14]
- 2014: Jamie Whincup becomes the first ever driver to win a sixth ATCC/V8 Supercars title by winning the second Saturday race at the Plus Fitness Phillip Island 400.
Events
- Current
- February: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, Australian Superbike Championship
- March: Phillip Island Classic
- April: GT World Challenge Australia, TCR Australia Touring Car Series, Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia, GT4 Australia Series, Australian National Trans Am Series
- August: GT World Challenge Australia, GT4 Australia Series
- September: Australian Superbike Championship, Aussie Racing Cars
- October:
- November: Island Magic
- Former
- Armstrong 500(1960–1962)
- FIM Endurance World Championship (1991–1992)
- S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship (2021–2023)
- Sidecar World Championship (1999–2000)
- Supercars Championship
- Phillip Island 500 (2008–2011, 2017–2018)
- Phillip Island SuperSprint (1976–1977, 1990, 1993–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2012–2016, 2019)
Lap records
In the early 1990s, Phillip Island was used during the Australian summer for pre-season testing by various
In late October 2018 Mathew Radisich drove his 2011 ex-Conquest Racing IndyCar during testing at Phillip Island as a part of unofficial practice day,[16] with images distributed online of his recorded Cosworth data showing a lap time of 1:17.005. However, as this time was not set during a race meeting, it does not count as an official lap record.[17]
As of April 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit are listed as:[18][19][20][21][22]
Notes
References
- ^ ISBN 0-908031-55-6.
- ISBN 0-908031-55-6.
- ^ John B Blanden, A History of Australian Grand Prix 1928–1939, Volume 1, 1981, p. 123
- ^ Racing in Australia, Motor Sport (magazine), January 1936, p. 113
- ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 26
- ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 38
- ^ a b Pedr Davis, The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, p. 363
- ^ a b Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 161–163
- ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 107–108
- ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 113
- ^ Terry Walker, Fast Tracks, 1995, p. 130
- ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 134–135
- ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 163–165
- ^ "Turn three officially named 'Stoner Corner'". Crash. 25 October 2012.
- ^ Super100MPH. "1990 PHILLIP ISLAND Dunlop Tyre Testing". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 – via YouTube.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Craill, Richard (11 September 2018). "The Ultimate Track Day Weapon". The Race Torque. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ Craill, Richard (13 November 2020). "The (Lap) Record Breakers: Phillip Island". The Race Torque. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "Natsoft Race Results".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Lap Records" (PDF). Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Motorcycle Lap Records" (PDF). Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ "Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Historic Motorcycle Lap Records" (PDF). Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Phillip Island Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ Perrins, Slade (15 May 2022). "Slade secures new Phillip Island Record". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "MG and Invited British Race 2". Natsoft. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "2021 Australian S5000 Phillip Island Race 1 Results". s5000.com.au. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "2024 Shannons SpeedSeries - Round 3 - Race Phillip Island - 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia - Race 2" (PDF). 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round, 23-25 February 2024 - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "ASBK Round 1 World Superbikes Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit 23-25 February 2024 - mi-bike Insurance Australian Superbike Championship Race 1 - Provisional Classification" (PDF). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "World SSP Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round, 23–25 February 2024 - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "2024 Trico Trans-Am Australia Race Phillip Island Race 3". 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "2024 Shannons SpeedSeries - Round 3 - Race Phillip Island - 2024 Monochrome GT4 Australia Series - Race 2" (PDF). 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "ASBK Round 1 World Superbikes Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit - 23-25 February 2024 - Michelin Australian Supersport Championship Race 2 - Provisional Classification" (PDF). 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "2024 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Race Phillip Island Race 2". 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "ASTC 1997 » Phillip Island Grand Prix Round 3 Results". 1 June 1997. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ "ASBK Round 1 World Superbikes Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit - 23-25 February 2024 - Race and Road Australian Supersport 300 Championship Race 3 - Amended Classification" (PDF). 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Australian SCC Phillip Island 1972". 30 January 1972. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Phillip Island 1970". 24 January 1970. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
Further reading
"The Official 50 Race History of the Australian Grand Prix"
External links
