The old Longford track as it used to look.
Tasmania is celebrating this week after one of Australia’s earliest and therefore oldest grand prix tracks, Longford, with its famous ‘Flying Mile’ is due to re-open after 42 years!
The re-opening event will coincide with the end of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and organisers are hoping that it will once again put Tasmania on the motor racing map. The date set will be 1-3 April 2011.
Longford was always considered to be the very best of the world’s greatest race tracks with some of the greatest drivers cutting up the tarmac here including Hill, Surtees, McLaren and Brabham. The most famous part of the track was ‘The Flying Mile’, so called because of the speed at which the cars could reach on this section of the track. Today it enables modern racing cars to reach over 180mph.
The racetrack was closed in 1968 as it was only ever meant to be a temporary track, however the restoration of the track is testament to its enduring appeal.
The Longford Revival Festival will be a weekend of grand prix memories with some classical and legendary cars being driven around the track by some very famous drivers. There’ll also be fashion, music and Tasmania’s unbeatable local produce served up with some delectable local wine.
The festival will also mark the state of the 20th Anniversary of Targa Tasmania which is set to have a record line-up. This tarmac-based rally event will see a revival of the old style of racing that veterans and newcomers to the world of racing will love. The atmosphere is friendly, jovial and exciting and the crashes can be pretty spectacular!
Race lovers will certainly want to head to Tasmania next year for a full 3 weeks of racing heaven! See our travel guide to Australia to find out how to get there.
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One Response to “Tasmania’s Celebration of Motor Racing!”
Comment by Geoff Smedley — November 23, 2010 @ 12:50 am
It should be made clear that the famous Longford motor racing circuit can never be reopened to a usable condition as it was totally destroyed in the 70s making the the above claims totally false. Only the flying mile straight is partially there and in a dangerous condition to attempt speed runs with today’s machinery. It can only be classed with the famous Brooklands track in the UK where parts of the banking are still visible but a realisation of its
of its past glory is respected and laid to rest and this same respect is owed to Longford