GOLD COAST (QLD)
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1929 - SOUTHPORT BEACH RACQ MEETING
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook feature
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Maldwyn Davies in his Grand Prix Bugatti.(Re-search: Richard Croston) |
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1954 - SOUTHPORT GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
During 1954 Queensland did not have a suitable permanent racing circuit, so the Street Circuit was marked out in anticipation of the Australian Grand Prix for cars that was to be held in Queensland. At the Time opposition to motorsport on public roads was at an all time high with some Australian states banning it completely or making it that hard to comply that the problem would go away.
The Southport circuit was considered to be ideal as the area was a very sparsely settled coastal area at the time.
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1954 - AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
The 1954 Australian Grand Prix was held on the Southport street Circuit, on the 7th of November 1954, The race was held over 27 laps of the 5.7 mile circuit.
Twenty Eight competitors met the starter, Lex Davison won the event in a Formula 2 HWM with a Jaguar engine fitted, Davison finished a full lap in front of second placed Curley Brydon's MG TC Special and two laps ahead of third placed Ken Richardson in a Ford Special.
1954 - The Whatmore Jaguar Special in the pits at the Australian Grand Prix. Photo: Dick Willis.
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1954 - IAN MOUNTAIN
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook photo feature
1954 - Ian Mountain in the IKM Peugeot Special at the Australian Grand Prix. Photo: David Zeunert Motorsport Archive.
West Coast Speedway News Photo feature
1954 - Ian Mountain would loose his life after crashing this [74/ machine a few months later at the Gnoo Blass circuit at Orange in New South Wales. Photographer: unknown.
1954 - A case of follow the leader on the first lap of the Grand Prix. Cars are: A. Griffiths [Javelin], F. Zambucka [Maserati], C Brydon [MG Special] and R. Taylor [Lago]. Photographer: E. Street.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia Pictorial feature
1954 - Dust flies at the start finish line as ultimate winner Lex Davison goes by W.S Anderson [Holden Special] in the 1954 Australian Grand Prix at Southport.
1954 - Stan Coffey at speed in the Dowidat Spanner Special Cooper-Bristol, which finished eigth. Jack Brabham drove a similar car, but broke his gearbox.
(research Mal Bradley)
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1955 - SOUTHPORT TT 16th October 1955
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In 1955 a joint committee was formed drawing from the Southport Rotary Club, and the Queensland Auto Cycle Union, to hold the prestigious Australian Tourist Trophy event for motorcycles.
The event was held on the 16th of October 1955, A seven event programme was held comprising of Lightweight 250's, Junior 350's, Senior 500's, Senior Sidecars plus Junior and Senior Clubman's events.
The circuit was considered to be quite dangerous, even in 1955, with the roads lined by trees and telegraph poles, the layout allowed for high speeds with a series of flowing curves, The course also had 3 right angle tight corners at the end of those very fast sections, The pre race practice session was marred with accidents. The Queensland Grand Prix for cars would follow three weeks later.
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1955 - SOUTHPORT TT Solo's
(use controls to pause - forward or reverse 3 images)
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1955 - SOUTHPORT TT Sidecar's
(use controls to pause - forward or reverse 3 images)
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SOUTHPORT TT CIRCUIT Location.
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2003 - SOUTHPORT TT CIRCUIT Location.
