PHILLIP ISLAND (VIC)
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1951 - PHILLIP ISLAND AUTO RACING CLUB
After the closure of the Phillip Island street circuit in 1951 a group of businessmen decided to restart motor racing at Phillip Island, so in 1951 the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club was formed, the current site was purchased and work started on building the three mile international circuit.
The building of the circuit took until 1956 to complete with its grand opening in December of that year.
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1959 - PHILLIP ISLAND MOTOR RACING CIRCUIT
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia Photo feature
1959 - Unknown at Phillip Island at a Motorcycle event. Photo: John Mann collection.
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1960 - THE LIGHT CAR CLUB OF AUSTRALIA
The Light Car Club of Australia staged the inaugural Armstrong 500 at the circuit on the 20th of November 1960, This would be Australia's first long distance motor race, restricted to standard production sedans, The criteria for the cars was, All cars must be unmodified production cars, built or assembled in Australia. The first 500 mile race was won by Frank Coad and John Roxburgh in a Vauxhall Cresta in a time of eight hours and fifteen minutes.
The Phillip Island Circuit would continue to run until it closed after the running of the 1962 Armstrong 500. The race was then moved to the Mount Panoramma circuit at Bathurt.
1960 - John French and Norm Beechey in the Vangaurd Spacemaster at Phillip Island. Photo: Autopics.
1960 - ARMSTRONG 500 HONOUR BOARD
20th November 1960 |
1st John Roxburgh1st Frank Coad2nd ?2nd ?3rd ?3rd ? |
Vauhall CrestaVauxhall Cresta???? |
AustraliaAustralia???? |
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1961 - ARMSTRONG 500 HONOUR BOARD
1961 - Winners Bob Jane and Harry Firth in the 200SE b. Photo's: Autopics.
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1st Bob Jane1st Harry Firth2nd ?2nd ?3rd ?3rd ? |
Mercedes Benz 220SEMercedes Benz 220SE???? |
AustraliaAustralia???? |
1961 - DAVID McKAY & BRIAN FOLEY
Armstrong 500 facebook photo feature
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1961 -
CHRYSLER AUSTRALIA LTD Vintage Photos & Advertising facebook Photo feature
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1962 - ARMSTRONG 500
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1962 - ARMSTRONG 500 HONOUR BOARD
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1st Harry Firth1st Bob Jane2nd ?2nd ?3rd ?3rd ? |
Ford Falcon XLFord Falcon XL???? |
AustraliaAustralia???? |
1962 - VIC CROFT & WAL GILLESPIE
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook photo feature
1962 - The R Series Valiant driven by Vic Croft and Wal Gillespie charges through Siberia on its way to fourth in class A. Photo: Doug Grant collection.
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1963 PHILLIP ISLANDMelbourne businessman, Ken Lukey purchases the circuit and reopens in April of 1966, racing at the venue consists of Sports Car and Touring cars through the sixtee's and seventee's until it closed again in the late sevintee's.
1985Phillip Island is purchased by Placetac Pty and the circuit is once again redeveloped in 1988 and opened again shortley after.
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1989
Phillip Island staged Australia's first round of the World 500cc Motorcycle Championship in April of 1989, victory would go to Wollongong's Wayne Gardner.
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(youtubelink. click on link to play)
1970's - MOTORCYCLE RACING BY Carey Jones |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etophWaydho |