Lowood Airfield Circuit
The Lowood Airfield Circuit was a motor racing venue in Queensland, Australia. The circuit, which was used from 1946 to 1966, was located at a former wartime airfield site at Mount Tarampa, near Lowood, 72 km west of the state capital Brisbane. It utilised the airfield’s runway for its 1.9 km long 200 metre wide main straight and also used various taxiways and tarmac from the old hangar area.[1] Lap distance was 4.54 km (2.82 mi).[2]
| Lowood Circuit | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Tarampa, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 27°27′40″S 152°29′10″E |
| Opened | 1946 |
| Closed | 1966 |
| Major events | Australian Grand Prix Australian Touring Car Championship Australian Drivers' Championship Lowood 4 Hour |
| Length | 4.54 km (2.82 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Race lap record | 1:44.0 (Lex Davison, Aston Martin DBR4/300, 1960, Australian Grand Prix) |
The circuit was first used in June 1946 for the running of the Queensland Grand Prix, however it hosted only occasional meetings between then and 1956. In that year the Queensland Racing Drivers’ Club took over the site, hosting their first meeting there in November and subsequently developing the circuit into Queensland’s premier motor racing venue. The circuit was closed in November 1966.[1]
Australian Drivers Championship
Rounds of the Australian Drivers' Championship were held at Lowood each year from 1957 to 1962.[3]
- 1957 Round 5 - Lex Davison – Ferrari 625/750
- 1957 Round 6 - Stan Jones – Maserati 250F
- 1958 Round 5 - Alec Mildren – Cooper Climax
- 1958 Round 6 - Alec Mildren – Cooper Climax
- 1959 Round 6 - Alec Mildren – Cooper Climax
- 1959 Round 7 - Alec Mildren – Cooper Climax
- 1960 Round 3 - Alec Mildren – Cooper Maserati
- 1960 Round 4 - Alec Mildren – Cooper Maserati
- 1961 Round 3 – Bill Patterson – Cooper Climax
- 1962 Round 3 – Greg Cusack – Cooper Climax
Australian Tourist Trophy
Lowood twice hosted the nation’s premier sports car race, the Australian Tourist Trophy.[4]
- 1959 Australian Tourist Trophy - Ron Phillips – Cooper Type 33 Jaguar
- 1963 Australian Tourist Trophy – Ian Geoghegan – Lotus 23
Australian Grand Prix
Lowood hosted the nation’s premier motor racing event of 1960 the Australian Grand Prix. It was won by Alec Mildren driving a Cooper Maserati.[5]
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Lowood circuit was the host track of the second Australian Touring Car Championship, in 1961. The race was won by Bill Pitt, driving a Jaguar 3.4.[6]
Lowood 4 Hour
Three 4 Hour races for production sedans were held at the Lowood circuit during the mid sixties. Although the emphasis was on class victories, the entries credited with line honours for covering the greatest distance were:
- 1964 Lowood 4 Hour - Harry Firth & John Raeburn – Ford Cortina GT Mk 1
- 1965 Lowood 4 Hour – John Harvey & Brian Foley – Morris Cooper S
- 1966 Lowood 4 Hour – David McKay & Bill Orr – Volvo 122S [7]
Australian Formula 2 Championship
The inaugural Australian Formula 2 Championship was staged at the Lowood circuit in June 1964 and was won by Greg Cusack driving an Elfin Ford.
References
- The Maquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, page 283
- Graham Howard & Stewart Wilson, Australian Touring Car Championship - 30 fabulous years, 1989, page 30
- Racing Car News, August 1972 "Guide to The Gold Star" supplement
- Australian Titles Retrieved from CAMS Online Manual of Motor Sport on 29 August 2008
- Australian Grand Prix Winners Retrieved from CAMS Online Manual of Motor Sport on 29 August 2008
- 2004 V8 Supercars TV Guide, page 102
- Racing Car News, May 1966, pages 24-25