LOBETHAL (SA)
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1937 - LOBETHAL CIRCUIT
The circuit was very large, 8.575 miles in length and ran in a clockwise direction, the track ran through two townships (Lobethal and Charleston) and alongside the Onkaparinga River.
Motorcycle racing started at the circuit in 1937 and continued through to 1939.
The first Car event held on the circuit was the South Australian Grand Prix in 1938.
This circuit also hosted the 1939 Australian Grand Prix,
Only two more events would be held, one in 1940, and the final one in 1948 when the Government closed down all event's that used public roads and street's.
1937 - Bruce Rehn's and swinger on the Norton battle it out with Ron Badger and his swinger on the Ariel.
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1938 - SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
The South Australian Grand Prix was held at the Lobethal Road Circuit on the 3rd of January 1938.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook photo feature
1938 - prior to the start of the South Australian Grand Prix. Photo: Bob Lea-Wright.
1938 - Photo: Leon Sims.
1938 - Photo: Leon Sims.
Old Motor Racing Photographs - Australia facebook Photo feature
1938 - And a big variation on cars on the day such as a Riley Brooklands - Bresca Buggatti and a MG-TA. Photo: Russell Garth collection.
1938 - Steve Tillett takes a curve at the Lobethal Road Circuit. Photo: Russell Garth collection.
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1938 - LOBETHAL TT CIRCUIT MOTORCYCLE SLIDESHOW
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1939 - LOBETHAL CIRCUIT
6th January 1939 |
1939 - Start: Bert Bartrop #1 Norton - George Hannaford #4 Velocette - Frank Mussett #6 Velocette. Photo: Tony Parkinson Ray Trevena collection.1939 Artie Jones from NSW and his unknown swinger are pushed away on the Norton machine, The eventual winners of this Sidecar GP event. Photo: Tony Parkinson Ray Trevena collection. |
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1939 - LOBETHAL TT MOTORCYCLE CIRCUIT
1939 - Ern Muehlberg on hid Rudge. Photo: Tony Parkinson from the Ray Trevena collection.
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1939 - LOBETHEL CIRCUIT AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2nd January 1939The Australian Grand Prix for 1939 was hosted by, Lobethel Carnivals LTD and the Sporting Car Club of South Australia, at the Lobethel circuit on the 2nd of January 1939.
The race was staged over 17 laps of the 8.65 mile circuit, the longest ever used for the Australian Grand Prix, for a race distance of 150 miles.
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1939 - winner: Allan Tomlinson. Photo unknown. |
The Lobethel Circuit was a road circuit that took in the towns of Charleston and Lobethel, These country roads were all sealed, this would be the first time as previous to 1939 all racing was conducted on dirt roads.
The race utilized a handicap system with the fastest cars to the rear, The winner was the first driver to finish the 150 miles.
The race was won by a West Australian in Allan Tomlinson driving a supercharged MG T, Second place was Bob Lea-Wright driving his Terraplane Special, with third going to Jack Phillips in his Ford Special.
The entry of J O'Dea crashed at the Cumeracha turn late in the race and driver Vern Leech was killed.