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Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

February 08, 2023

The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing circuit located near Ventnor, on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The current circuit was first used in 1956.

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
LocationVentnor, Phillip Island, Victoria
Time zoneUTC+10:00 (UTC+11:00 DST)
Coordinates38°30′11″S 145°14′11″E / 38.50306°S 145.23639°E / -38.50306; 145.23639
FIA Grade3[a]
OwnerLinfox
Opened31 March 1928; 94 years ago (1928-03-31) (Road circuit)[1]
15 December 1956; 66 years ago (1956-12-15) (modern circuit)[2]
Re-opened: 4 December 1988; 34 years ago (1988-12-04)
Closed1940 (Road circuit)[1]
1978 (modern circuit)
Major eventsCurrent:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Australian motorcycle Grand Prix (1989–1990, 1997–2019, 2022–present)
World SBK
(1990–1992, 1994–2020, 2022–present)
S5000 (2021–present)
GT World Challenge Australia (2005–2019, 2021–present)
Australian Superbikes
Former:
Supercars Championship
Phillip Island SuperSprint
(1990, 1993–2003, 2005–2007, 2009, 2012–2016, 2019)
Phillip Island 500
(1976–1977, 2008–2011, 2017–2018)
FIM EWC (1991–1992)
Sidecar World Championship (1999–2000)
Australian Super Touring Championship (1994–1998)
Armstrong 500 (1960–1962)
Australian Grand Prix (Road Circuit) (1928–1935)
Australian Manufacturers' Championship
Australian Drivers' Championship
Modern Grand Prix Circuit (1988–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.445 km (2.762 miles)
Turns12
Race lap record1:24.0607 ( Tim Slade, Brabham BT62, 2022, Sports car racing)
Grand Prix Circuit (1956–1978)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length4.800 km (3.000 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record1:47.900 ( John Harvey, McLaren M6B, 1972, Group A)
Road Course (1936–1940)
SurfaceGravel
Length5.330 km (3.312 miles)
Turns4
Road Course (1928–1935)
SurfaceGravel
Length10.6 km (6.5 miles)
Turns4
Race lap record4:49.4 ( Bill Thompson, Bugatti Type 37A, 1932)
Websitewww.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

History

Road circuit

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. It utilised a high speed rectangle of local closed-off public roads with four similar right hand corners. The course length varied, with the car course approximately 6 mi (9.7 km) per lap, compared to the motorcycle circuit which was approximately 10 mi (16 km) in length. The circuit was the venue for the Australian Grand Prix through to 1935 and it was used for the last time on 6 May 1935 for the Jubilee Day Races.[3]

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]

 
Arthur Waite won the 1928 100 Miles Road Race on the Phillip Island road circuit driving an Austin 7

Significant events staged at the Phillip Island road circuit included:

Grand Prix circuit

1956–1962

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 1956[7] and in 1960 the first Armstrong 500 production car race was held at the circuit. Extensive damage resulted from the running of the 1962 Armstrong 500, and, with the circuit owners unable to finance repairs, the circuit was closed and the race was moved to the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst in New South Wales, to eventually become known as the Bathurst 1000.

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 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix joined the FIM Road Racing World Championship calendar for the first time, and was held at Phillip Island. The 1989 race saw a race long dice in the 500 cc division between local favourites Wayne Gardner and Kevin Magee, along with Wayne Rainey and Christian Sarron. The race was won by 1987 World Champion Gardner to the delight of the huge crowd. Gardner would make it two in a row at the Island in 1990 before the race moved to Eastern Creek in Sydney for 1991. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix would remain at Eastern Creek until it returned permanently to Phillip Island from 1997 onwards.

Phillip Island hosted its first Superbike World Championship round in 1990, taking over from Sydney's Oran Park Raceway as the Australian round of the series. Local riders Peter Goddard (Yamaha FZR750) and Rob Phillis (Kawasaki 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 1990, the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) returned to the circuit for the first time since 1977, this time as a sprint round. Dick Johnson won the round in his Ford Sierra RS500, in what was to be his final ever round victory. The event was not held in 1991 or 1992, but was reinstated to the calendar in 1993, with the sprint format then continuing every year until 2004. By then, the ATCC was known as V8 Supercars. After not appearing on the calendar in 2004, from 2005 to 2007, Phillip Island hosted the Grand Finale; the final round of the V8 Supercars season. In each year, the event decided that year's champion, including in controversial circumstances in 2006. From 2008 to 2011, Phillip Island returned to hosting a 500 km race, this time known for sponsorship reasons as the L&H 500. The Phillip Island 500 replaced Sandown's Sandown 500 as the annual V8 Supercar 500 km race, an event which was later reinstated for 2012. Since then, Phillip Island has returned to hosting a sprint round of the championship, which has become known as the Phillip Island Super Sprint.

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.
  • 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 open meeting was held with much acclaim in December 1956.
  • 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 Australian Drivers' Champion Len Lukey purchases the circuit with a view to redevelopment.[9] 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 500K endurance 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]
 
Casey Stoner in action at the 2010 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
  • 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, Troy Corser, wins the Superbike World Championship on board a Ducati at 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 karting circuit.
  • 2008: The Phillip Island 500 is run for the first time since 1977, this time for 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
Former

Lap records

 
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Panorama showing turn 12 heading on to the 900m Gardner Straight

In the early 1990s, Phillip Island was used during the Australian summer for pre-season testing by various World Sportscar Championship teams and some Japanese Formula 3000 teams (who generally found travelling to Australia was actually cheaper than paying some $5,000 per hour to hire the Honda owned Suzuka Circuit in Japan). While no official lap times were published, television commentator and race driver Neil Crompton reported in 1990 that the Nissan Motorsports International team with drivers Julian Bailey and Mark Blundell driving the Nissan R90C were able to lap the circuit in around 1:18 while a 3.0 Litre Mugen V8 powered Dome F3000 (which Crompton drove) was able record similar lap times. At the time the fastest Australian cars that raced at Phillip Island were the 3.8 Litre V6 powered Formula Holdens which were approximately 10 seconds per lap slower.[15]

 
The Dallara IR-05 driven by Mathew Radisich

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.[17] However, as this time was not set during a race meeting, it does not count as an official lap record.[18]

As of October 2022, the official race lap records at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit are listed as:[19][20][21][22]

Class Driver Vehicle Time Date
Modern Grand Prix Circuit: 4.445 km (1988–present)
Victorian Sports Car Championship   Tim Slade Brabham BT62 1:24.0607[23][24] 15 May 2022
Formula Holden   Simon Wills Reynard 94D 1:24.2215[20] 13 February 2000
Formula 3   Tim Macrow Dallara F307 1:24.5146[20] 21 September 2013
S5000   Joey Mawson Ligier JS F3-S5000 1:25.6797[25] 13 March 2021
Group 2A Sports Cars   James Winslow Radical SR8 1:25.9294[20] 25 May 2013
GT3   Jack Le Brocq Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 1:27.1505[20] 26 May 2013
Sports Sedans   Jack Perkins Audi A4-Chevrolet 1:27.2757[20] 11 September 2016
Formula 5000   Tom Tweedie Chevron B24/28 1:27.4435[20] 11 March 2018
MotoGP   Marc Márquez Honda RC213V 1:28.108[21] 20 October 2013
Superkart   Russell Jamieson Anderson Maverick-DEA 1:28.4199[20] 21 September 2013
World SBK   Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 1:30.075[21][26] 24 February 2019
Supercars   Scott McLaughlin Ford Mustang GT 1:30.9508[20] 14 April 2019
Porsche Carrera Cup   Scott McLaughlin Porsche 911 (991) GT3 Cup 1:31.1343[20] 24 May 2015
Australian Superbikes   Josh Waters Ducati Panigale V4 R 1:31.705[27] 15 October 2022
Super2 Series   Garry Jacobson Ford FG X Falcon 1:32.3013[20] 16 April 2016
Moto2   Thomas Lüthi Kalex Moto2 1:32.609[21] 27 October 2019
250cc Grand Prix   Álvaro Bautista Aprilia RSV 250 1:32.710[21] 5 October 2008
500cc Grand Prix   Kenny Roberts, Jr. Suzuki RGV500 1:32.743 3 October 1999
World SSP   Sandro Cortese Yamaha YZF-R6 1:33.072[21][28] 25 February 2018
V8 Touring Car National Series   Garry Jacobson Ford FG Falcon 1:33.2611[20] 10 September 2016
Formula 4   Jayden Ojeda Mygale M14-F4 1:34.0900[20] 2 June 2018
Nations Cup   Paul Stokell Lamborghini Diablo GTR 1:34.1058 10 August 2003
Marque Sports   Steve Owen Lamborghini Gallardo 1:34.4309 21 November 2009
Australian Supersport   Bryan Staring Yamaha YZF-R6 1:35.200[21] 17 October 2009
Formula Ford   Anton de Pasquale Mygale SJ13a 1:35.8901[20] 24 November 2013
Trans-Am Australia   Ben Grice Ford Mustang 1:35.9708[29] 18 March 2022
Moto3   Jack Miller KTM RC250GP 1:36.302[21] 19 October 2014
125cc Grand Prix   Álvaro Bautista Honda RS125R 1:36.927[21] 17 September 2006
TCR Touring Car   Will Brown Hyundai i30 N TCR 1:37.0827[20][30] 8 June 2019
Super Touring   Geoff Brabham BMW 320i 1:37.1706[20][31] 1 June 1997
Sidecar F1   Steve Webster/
  David James 		LCR-Suzuki GSX-R1000 1:38.726[21] 18 April 1999
Group A   Jonathon Webb Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth 1:38.8618[20] 12 March 2022
GT4   Sam Brabham Mercedes-AMG GT4 1:39.5882 20 March 2022
Australian Mini Challenge   Paul Stokell Mini JCW R56 1:44.1491[20] 12 September 2008
Aussie Racing Cars   Kyle Ensbey Ford Mustang (S197) 1:45.7423[20] 22 April 2018
Sidecar F2  Terry Goldie/
 Jamie Crass 		LCR-Honda CBR 600 1:45.986 27 May 2018
Supersport 300   Luke Jhonston Kawasaki EX400 1:47.182[21] 29 February 2020
Porsche 944   Adam Mills Porsche 944 1:47.1928 20 September 2015
V8 Ute Racing Series   Kim Jane Holden VE SS Ute 1:48.6431 16 April 2016
Toyota 86 Racing Series   Tim Brook Toyota 86 1:51.9170 22 April 2018
Circuit Excel Racing   Harry Tomkins Hyundai Excel 1:58.6798[20] 28 November 2021
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.800 km (1956–1978)
Group 7   John Harvey McLaren M6B 1:47.900[32] 30 January 1972
Group 4   Alan Hamilton Porsche 906P 1:51.900[32] 30 January 1972]
Formula Two   Maurie Quincey Elfin 600B 1:56.000[33] 24 January 1970

Notes

  1. ^ Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit's Grade 3 licence expired 9 November 2022.

References

  1. ^ a b Walker, Terry (1995). "Phillip Island (pre-war), Vic.". Fast Tracks. Sydney: Turton & Armstrong Pty. Ltd. p. 128. ISBN 0-908031-55-6.
  2. ^ Walker, Terry (1995). "Phillip Island (pre-war), Vic.". Fast Tracks. Sydney: Turton & Armstrong Pty. Ltd. p. 130. ISBN 0-908031-55-6.
  3. ^ John B Blanden, A History of Australian Grand Prix 1928–1939, Volume 1, 1981, p. 123
  4. ^ Racing in Australia, Motor Sport (magazine), January 1936, p. 113
  5. ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 26
  6. ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 38
  7. ^ a b Pedr Davis, The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, p. 363
  8. ^ a b Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 161–163
  9. ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 107–108
  10. ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 113
  11. ^ Terry Walker, Fast Tracks, 1995, p. 130
  12. ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 134–135
  13. ^ Jim Scaysbrook, Phillip Island, A History of Motor Sport Since 1928, Bookworks Pty Ltd, 2005, pp. 163–165
  14. ^ "Turn three officially named 'Stoner Corner'". Crash. 25 October 2012.
  15. ^ Super100MPH. "1990 PHILLIP ISLAND Dunlop Tyre Testing". Archived from the original on 19 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Craill, Richard (11 September 2018). "The Ultimate Track Day Weapon". The Race Torque. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  17. ^ https://scontent.fmel7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/45075676_286046395348388_8367217941879455744_o.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=2&_nc_sid=110474&_nc_ohc=56z5wqUK3xYAX_BcHaR&_nc_ht=scontent.fmel7-1.fna&tp=14&oh=dca0925522126b19c8134c880009bc4f&oe=603A686C[dead link]
  18. ^ Craill, Richard (13 November 2020). "The (Lap) Record Breakers: Phillip Island". The Race Torque. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Natsoft Race Results".
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Lap Records" (PDF). Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Motorcycle Lap Records" (PDF). Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Historic Motorcycle Lap Records" (PDF). Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  23. ^ Perrins, Slade (15 May 2022). "Slade secures new Phillip Island Record". Speedcafe.com.
  24. ^ "MG and Invited British Race 2". Natsoft. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  25. ^ "2021 Australian S5000 Phillip Island Race 1 Results". s5000.com.au.
  26. ^ "Yamaha Finance Australian Round, 22-24 February 2019 World Superbike - Results Tissot Superpole Race" (PDF). Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2022 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit October 14-16 - Superbike Race 2 - Provisional Classification". Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Australian Round, 23-24-25 February 2018 World Supersport - Results Race" (PDF). Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  29. ^ "2022 Trans-Am Australia Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships Phillip Island Race 1 Results". 18 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  30. ^ "2019 TCR Australia Phillip Island Race 1 Results". Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  31. ^ "ASTC 1997 » Phillip Island Grand Prix Round 3 Results". Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Australian SCC Phillip Island 1972". Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Phillip Island 1970". Retrieved 6 February 2023.

Further reading

"The Official 50 Race History of the Australian Grand Prix"

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
  • Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

February 08, 2023
phillip, island, grand, prix, circuit, motor, racing, circuit, located, near, ventnor, phillip, island, victoria, australia, current, circuit, first, used, 1956, locationventnor, phillip, island, victoriatime, zoneutc, coordinates38, 50306, 23639, 50306, 23639. The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing circuit located near Ventnor on Phillip Island Victoria Australia The current circuit was first used in 1956 Phillip Island Grand Prix CircuitLocationVentnor Phillip Island VictoriaTime zoneUTC 10 00 UTC 11 00 DST Coordinates38 30 11 S 145 14 11 E 38 50306 S 145 23639 E 38 50306 145 23639FIA Grade3 a OwnerLinfoxOpened31 March 1928 94 years ago 1928 03 31 Road circuit 1 15 December 1956 66 years ago 1956 12 15 modern circuit 2 Re opened 4 December 1988 34 years ago 1988 12 04 Closed1940 Road circuit 1 1978 modern circuit Major eventsCurrent Grand Prix motorcycle racingAustralian motorcycle Grand Prix 1989 1990 1997 2019 2022 present World SBK 1990 1992 1994 2020 2022 present S5000 2021 present GT World Challenge Australia 2005 2019 2021 present Australian SuperbikesFormer Supercars ChampionshipPhillip Island SuperSprint 1990 1993 2003 2005 2007 2009 2012 2016 2019 Phillip Island 500 1976 1977 2008 2011 2017 2018 FIM EWC 1991 1992 Sidecar World Championship 1999 2000 Australian Super Touring Championship 1994 1998 Armstrong 500 1960 1962 Australian Grand Prix Road Circuit 1928 1935 Australian Manufacturers ChampionshipAustralian Drivers ChampionshipModern Grand Prix Circuit 1988 present SurfaceAsphaltLength4 445 km 2 762 miles Turns12Race lap record1 24 0607 Tim Slade Brabham BT62 2022 Sports car racing Grand Prix Circuit 1956 1978 SurfaceAsphaltLength4 800 km 3 000 miles Turns11Race lap record1 47 900 John Harvey McLaren M6B 1972 Group A Road Course 1936 1940 SurfaceGravelLength5 330 km 3 312 miles Turns4Road Course 1928 1935 SurfaceGravelLength10 6 km 6 5 miles Turns4Race lap record4 49 4 Bill Thompson Bugatti Type 37A 1932 Websitewww wbr phillipislandcircuit wbr com wbr au Contents 1 History 1 1 Road circuit 1 2 Grand Prix circuit 1 2 1 1956 1962 1 2 2 1967 1978 1 2 3 1988 present 1 3 Important dates 2 Events 3 Lap records 4 Notes 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksHistory EditRoad circuit Edit 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 It utilised a high speed rectangle of local closed off public roads with four similar right hand corners The course length varied with the car course approximately 6 mi 9 7 km per lap compared to the motorcycle circuit which was approximately 10 mi 16 km in length The circuit was the venue for the Australian Grand Prix through to 1935 and it was used for the last time on 6 May 1935 for the Jubilee Day Races 3 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 Arthur Waite won the 1928 100 Miles Road Race on the Phillip Island road circuit driving an Austin 7 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 Edit 1956 1962 Edit 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 1956 7 and in 1960 the first Armstrong 500 production car race was held at the circuit Extensive damage resulted from the running of the 1962 Armstrong 500 and with the circuit owners unable to finance repairs the circuit was closed and the race was moved to the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst in New South Wales to eventually become known as the Bathurst 1000 1967 1978 Edit 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 Edit 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 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix joined the FIM Road Racing World Championship calendar for the first time and was held at Phillip Island The 1989 race saw a race long dice in the 500 cc division between local favourites Wayne Gardner and Kevin Magee along with Wayne Rainey and Christian Sarron The race was won by 1987 World Champion Gardner to the delight of the huge crowd Gardner would make it two in a row at the Island in 1990 before the race moved to Eastern Creek in Sydney for 1991 The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix would remain at Eastern Creek until it returned permanently to Phillip Island from 1997 onwards Phillip Island hosted its first Superbike World Championship round in 1990 taking over from Sydney s Oran Park Raceway as the Australian round of the series Local riders Peter Goddard Yamaha FZR750 and Rob Phillis Kawasaki 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 1990 the Australian Touring Car Championship ATCC returned to the circuit for the first time since 1977 this time as a sprint round Dick Johnson won the round in his Ford Sierra RS500 in what was to be his final ever round victory The event was not held in 1991 or 1992 but was reinstated to the calendar in 1993 with the sprint format then continuing every year until 2004 By then the ATCC was known as V8 Supercars After not appearing on the calendar in 2004 from 2005 to 2007 Phillip Island hosted the Grand Finale the final round of the V8 Supercars season In each year the event decided that year s champion including in controversial circumstances in 2006 From 2008 to 2011 Phillip Island returned to hosting a 500 km race this time known for sponsorship reasons as the L amp H 500 The Phillip Island 500 replaced Sandown s Sandown 500 as the annual V8 Supercar 500 km race an event which was later reinstated for 2012 Since then Phillip Island has returned to hosting a sprint round of the championship which has become known as the Phillip Island Super Sprint 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 Edit 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 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 open meeting was held with much acclaim in December 1956 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 Australian Drivers Champion Len Lukey purchases the circuit with a view to redevelopment 9 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 500K endurance 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 Casey Stoner in action at the 2010 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit 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 Troy Corser wins the Superbike World Championship on board a Ducati at 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 karting circuit 2008 The Phillip Island 500 is run for the first time since 1977 this time for 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 EditCurrentFebruary Australian Superbike Championship March GT World Challenge Australia S5000 Australian Drivers Championship TCR Australia Touring Car Series Trans Am Series Australia Phillip Island Classic August National Festival of Superkarts September HSRCA Spring Festival October MotoGP Australian motorcycle Grand Prix November Superbike World Championship Australian Superbike Championship Island MagicFormerArmstrong 500 1960 1962 FIM Endurance World Championship 1991 1992 Sidecar World Championship 1999 2000 Supercars Championship Phillip Island 500 2008 2011 2017 2018 Supercars Championship Phillip Island SuperSprint 1976 1977 1990 1993 2003 2005 2007 2009 2012 2016 2019 Lap records Edit Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Panorama showing turn 12 heading on to the 900m Gardner Straight In the early 1990s Phillip Island was used during the Australian summer for pre season testing by various World Sportscar Championship teams and some Japanese Formula 3000 teams who generally found travelling to Australia was actually cheaper than paying some 5 000 per hour to hire the Honda owned Suzuka Circuit in Japan While no official lap times were published television commentator and race driver Neil Crompton reported in 1990 that the Nissan Motorsports International team with drivers Julian Bailey and Mark Blundell driving the Nissan R90C were able to lap the circuit in around 1 18 while a 3 0 Litre Mugen V8 powered Dome F3000 which Crompton drove was able record similar lap times At the time the fastest Australian cars that raced at Phillip Island were the 3 8 Litre V6 powered Formula Holdens which were approximately 10 seconds per lap slower 15 The Dallara IR 05 driven by Mathew Radisich 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 17 However as this time was not set during a race meeting it does not count as an official lap record 18 As of October 2022 the official race lap records at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit are listed as 19 20 21 22 Class Driver Vehicle Time DateModern Grand Prix Circuit 4 445 km 1988 present Victorian Sports Car Championship Tim Slade Brabham BT62 1 24 0607 23 24 15 May 2022Formula Holden Simon Wills Reynard 94D 1 24 2215 20 13 February 2000Formula 3 Tim Macrow Dallara F307 1 24 5146 20 21 September 2013S5000 Joey Mawson Ligier JS F3 S5000 1 25 6797 25 13 March 2021Group 2A Sports Cars James Winslow Radical SR8 1 25 9294 20 25 May 2013GT3 Jack Le Brocq Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT3 1 27 1505 20 26 May 2013Sports Sedans Jack Perkins Audi A4 Chevrolet 1 27 2757 20 11 September 2016Formula 5000 Tom Tweedie Chevron B24 28 1 27 4435 20 11 March 2018MotoGP Marc Marquez Honda RC213V 1 28 108 21 20 October 2013Superkart Russell Jamieson Anderson Maverick DEA 1 28 4199 20 21 September 2013World SBK Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Ninja ZX 10R 1 30 075 21 26 24 February 2019Supercars Scott McLaughlin Ford Mustang GT 1 30 9508 20 14 April 2019Porsche Carrera Cup Scott McLaughlin Porsche 911 991 GT3 Cup 1 31 1343 20 24 May 2015Australian Superbikes Josh Waters Ducati Panigale V4 R 1 31 705 27 15 October 2022Super2 Series Garry Jacobson Ford FG X Falcon 1 32 3013 20 16 April 2016Moto2 Thomas Luthi Kalex Moto2 1 32 609 21 27 October 2019250cc Grand Prix Alvaro Bautista Aprilia RSV 250 1 32 710 21 5 October 2008500cc Grand Prix Kenny Roberts Jr Suzuki RGV500 1 32 743 3 October 1999World SSP Sandro Cortese Yamaha YZF R6 1 33 072 21 28 25 February 2018V8 Touring Car National Series Garry Jacobson Ford FG Falcon 1 33 2611 20 10 September 2016Formula 4 Jayden Ojeda Mygale M14 F4 1 34 0900 20 2 June 2018Nations Cup Paul Stokell Lamborghini Diablo GTR 1 34 1058 10 August 2003Marque Sports Steve Owen Lamborghini Gallardo 1 34 4309 21 November 2009Australian Supersport Bryan Staring Yamaha YZF R6 1 35 200 21 17 October 2009Formula Ford Anton de Pasquale Mygale SJ13a 1 35 8901 20 24 November 2013Trans Am Australia Ben Grice Ford Mustang 1 35 9708 29 18 March 2022Moto3 Jack Miller KTM RC250GP 1 36 302 21 19 October 2014125cc Grand Prix Alvaro Bautista Honda RS125R 1 36 927 21 17 September 2006TCR Touring Car Will Brown Hyundai i30 N TCR 1 37 0827 20 30 8 June 2019Super Touring Geoff Brabham BMW 320i 1 37 1706 20 31 1 June 1997Sidecar F1 Steve Webster David James LCR Suzuki GSX R1000 1 38 726 21 18 April 1999Group A Jonathon Webb Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth 1 38 8618 20 12 March 2022GT4 Sam Brabham Mercedes AMG GT4 1 39 5882 20 March 2022Australian Mini Challenge Paul Stokell Mini JCW R56 1 44 1491 20 12 September 2008Aussie Racing Cars Kyle Ensbey Ford Mustang S197 1 45 7423 20 22 April 2018Sidecar F2 Terry Goldie Jamie Crass LCR Honda CBR 600 1 45 986 27 May 2018Supersport 300 Luke Jhonston Kawasaki EX400 1 47 182 21 29 February 2020Porsche 944 Adam Mills Porsche 944 1 47 1928 20 September 2015V8 Ute Racing Series Kim Jane Holden VE SS Ute 1 48 6431 16 April 2016Toyota 86 Racing Series Tim Brook Toyota 86 1 51 9170 22 April 2018Circuit Excel Racing Harry Tomkins Hyundai Excel 1 58 6798 20 28 November 2021Grand Prix Circuit 4 800 km 1956 1978 Group 7 John Harvey McLaren M6B 1 47 900 32 30 January 1972Group 4 Alan Hamilton Porsche 906P 1 51 900 32 30 January 1972 Formula Two Maurie Quincey Elfin 600B 1 56 000 33 24 January 1970Notes Edit Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit s Grade 3 licence expired 9 November 2022 References Edit a b Walker Terry 1995 Phillip Island pre war Vic Fast Tracks Sydney Turton amp Armstrong Pty Ltd p 128 ISBN 0 908031 55 6 Walker Terry 1995 Phillip Island pre war Vic Fast Tracks Sydney Turton amp Armstrong Pty Ltd p 130 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 Craill Richard 11 September 2018 The Ultimate Track Day Weapon The Race Torque Retrieved 31 January 2021 https scontent fmel7 1 fna fbcdn net v t1 0 9 fr cp0 e15 q65 45075676 286046395348388 8367217941879455744 o jpg nc cat 107 amp ccb 2 amp nc sid 110474 amp nc ohc 56z5wqUK3xYAX BcHaR amp nc ht scontent fmel7 1 fna amp tp 14 amp oh dca0925522126b19c8134c880009bc4f amp oe 603A686C dead link 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 p q r s t Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Lap Records PDF Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Retrieved 28 October 2022 a b c d e f g h i j k 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 Perrins Slade 15 May 2022 Slade secures new Phillip Island Record Speedcafe com MG and Invited British Race 2 Natsoft Retrieved 15 May 2022 2021 Australian S5000 Phillip Island Race 1 Results s5000 com au Yamaha Finance Australian Round 22 24 February 2019 World Superbike Results Tissot Superpole Race PDF Retrieved 18 June 2022 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2022 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit October 14 16 Superbike Race 2 Provisional Classification Retrieved 14 December 2022 Australian Round 23 24 25 February 2018 World Supersport Results Race PDF Retrieved 18 June 2022 2022 Trans Am Australia Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships Phillip Island Race 1 Results 18 March 2022 Retrieved 20 March 2022 2019 TCR Australia Phillip Island Race 1 Results Retrieved 18 May 2021 ASTC 1997 Phillip Island Grand Prix Round 3 Results Retrieved 18 June 2022 a b Australian SCC Phillip Island 1972 Retrieved 6 February 2023 Phillip Island 1970 Retrieved 6 February 2023 Further reading Edit The Official 50 Race History of the Australian Grand Prix External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit amp oldid 1137974965, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, 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