THE MINICHAMPS STORE

The first races on Phillip Island took place in 1926 with the running of the 100 Miles Road Race, an event which has since become known as the first Australian Grand Prix. It used, as was traditional at the time, a high speed rectangle of local closed-off public. The course length varied, with the car course approximately 6 miles per lap, to motorcycle racing of approximately 10 miles.

As speeds grew, there was a need for a safe circuit. The original Phillip Island road circuit, based around the airfield, was a dusty trek up and down hills and through tough tight corners. The track was used until 1935.

In 1951, a local businessman decided to build a new track, about 2 km away from the original circuit. The only proper piece of land was directly on the coast at the south west end of the island. The track is known for its steep grades and heavy winds coming directly from the sea. The new track hosted its first race in 1956. In 1962 the financial resources for repairs were exhausted, so the race moved to Bathurst.

The circuit reopened in 1966 but again, due to its testing terrain, the circuit required much maintenance and slowly declined through the 1970s. The track was sold in 1985 and the World Motorcycle Championship gave the circuit a grand re-opening in 1989 in front of a crowd of 90,000 spectators and an Australian winner, namely Wayne Gardner. Between 1991 and 1996 the circuit lost the motorcycle world championship to Eastern Creek race rack near Sydney, but was able to regain it in 1997.

Since 1990, each year the superbike race is held at Phillip Island. Since 1993 the Australian Touring Car Championship, renamed V8 supercar series in 1996, is taking place on the isle.