Warwick_Farm_Raceway

Warwick Farm Raceway

Warwick Farm Raceway

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Warwick Farm Raceway was a motor racing facility which was in operation from 1960 to 1973.[1] Warwick Farm Raceway hosted numerous major events during its life such as the Australian Grand Prix and rounds of both the Australian Touring Car Championship and the Tasman Series.

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History

Warwick Farm Raceway was built in 1960 on the site of the Warwick Farm Racecourse, a horse racing track with which it was to co-exist throughout its history. When a motor racing meeting was scheduled, two "crossings" had to be placed over the top of the horse racing track, and then removed after racing had finished.[2] It became one of Australia's premier motor racing venues and gained a reputation as a "drivers' track", hosting the Australian Grand Prix and rounds of both the Tasman Series[3] and the Australian Drivers' Championship. It also staged Australian Touring Car Championship races during its later years. The last major race at Warwick Farm was the final round of the 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship on 15 July and the final race meeting was a club day held in August 1973.[3] The reason for the closure was financial - the Confederation of Australian Motorsport wanted to have armco fencing installed around the circuit, and the AJC wasn't willing to spend the money to upgrade the circuit.[2]

Warwick Farm held its first meeting in December 1960. On a wet track, Ian "Pete" Geoghegan won the opening touring car race driving a Jaguar 3.4 Litre.

When it closed as a motor racing facility in 1973, the lap record of the 3.621 km (2.250 mi) long Warwick Farm circuit was held by Australian motor racing legend Frank Gardner. Driving a Lola T300 Formula 5000 in the 1972 Tasman Series, Gardner set a time of 1:24.0 during the Warwick Farm 100. Gardner finished second in the race he had won in 1971, 18 seconds behind Frank Matich driving his self-designed and built Matich A50 Repco-Holden.

Australian Grand Prix

Warwick Farm Raceway hosted the Australian Grand Prix a total of four times:

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International 100

Warwick Farm hosted the annual International 100 from 1961 to 1973:

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Australian Touring Car Championship

Warwick Farm Raceway hosted the single race Australian Touring Car Championship in 1968, and hosted rounds of the championship in 1970, 1972 and 1973.

Tasman Series

Warwick Farm Raceway hosted a round of the Tasman Series each year from 1964 to 1973.

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Australian Drivers' Championship

Warwick Farm Raceway hosted a round of the Australian Drivers' Championship on 11 occasions.

Australian Sports Car Championship

Warwick Farm hosted a round of the Australian Sports Car Championship each year from 1969 to 1972.

Australian Manufacturers' Championship

Warwick Farm hosted a round of the Australian Manufacturers' Championship in 1971.

Australian Formula Junior Championship

Warwick Farm hosted the Australian Formula Junior Championship in 1963.

Australian GT Championship

Warwick Farm hosted the Australian GT Championship in 1962.

London to Sydney Marathon rally - 1968

Warwick Farm was the venue for the finish of the London-Sydney Marathon. First place went to the Hillman Hunter crewed by Andrew Cowan, Colin Malkin and Brian Coyle.[5]


References

Notes

  1. The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, page 527
  2. Walker, Terry (1995). Fast Tracks: Australia's Motor Racing Circuits: 1904-1995. Wahroonga, NSW: Turton & Armstrong. p. 180. ISBN 0908031556.
  3. "Warwick Farm "100"". oldracingcars. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  4. "Daily Express London-Sydney Marathon 1968 - eWRC-results.com". ewrc-results.com. Retrieved 17 September 2016.

Bibliography

  • Moore, Andrew (2017). Aintree Down Under: Warwick Farm and the Golden Age of Australian Motor Sport. Sydney: Walla Walla Press. ISBN 9781876718275.

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