2012 Ballarat Festival of Motoring
Fathers Day Week Saturday 25 August - Sunday 2 September
2012
Last Easter the Ballarat community proved that history does live
in their part of the world, when they and a significant group of
motoring enthusiasts celebrated the 50th Anniversary of
the last motor race that took place at the Ballarat Airfield - the
1961 Victorian Trophy "International Meeting".
Many of those that participated in that nostalgic occasion,
included drivers and officials that were involved in the 1947 -
1961 halcyon days of the Ballarat aerodrome racing circuit.
A significant group of motoring enthusiasts also travelled from
beyond Ballarat to participate in the anniversary celebrations and
in doing so became part of what has now been recognized as a world
class collection of historic vehicles including
commercials; motor cycles; sports cars; and racing cars of a
caliber never seen before in regional Victoria.
Having reflected on the success of the anniversary
celebrations including the fun that was enjoyed; the
business opportunities that it created; and the funding that it
generated for community based clubs and their projects, it made
good sense to maintain the momentum that was achieved with the
anniversary activities.
Consequently, we are currently working on a proposal with the
City of Ballarat for an even bigger, better, more diverse and
interesting Ballarat Festival of Motoring for
2012.
The proposal is based on the successful 5 day format used for
the Easter 2011 festival (motor show; reunion dinner with motor
sport celebrity guest speaker; show & shine at the
Polocrosse Centre; and speed events on the airfield runways)
and extending it into a weeklong festival starting on
Saturday August 25 with the inclusion of a Cavalcade of Transport
through the City of Ballarat; combining the motor show at the
Mining Exchange with a vintage 1930-50's memorabilia display
including model steam engines; model aircraft engines &
aeroplanes; and tether cars with a proposed auction of some
400 associated items; and at the Ballarat Airfield a static display
and flying demonstrations of significant historic aircraft; and
finishing on September 2 with a full day of motor sport on the
majority of the old 1947 - 61 airfield motor racing circuit.
Our aim is to provide a very special, good value/minimal cost
and diverse festival for fellow enthusiasts and their
families, in an endeavor to cater for all interests.
The motor sport day will be based on a CAMS Level 2 license and
appropriate cars in an effort to provide an opportunity for the
majority of our fellow historic motor racing enthusiasts to compete
in their treasures on the very first circuit in Victoria to host a
motor race following World War 2; and the only Australian airfield
based motor racing circuit to host an international event.
Our motivation is to create a unique experience where drivers can
enjoy genuine historic significance and the old world charm of
Ballarat's airfield based rich motor sporting heritage, and with
what was achieved there in the immediate post World War 2 era on a
circuit where theoretically, other than another vehicle, there is
nothing to collide with - compared to the unforgiving
vehicle barrier containment configurations that
represent the options that now have to be used at the majority of
our modern day motor sport venues.
In the immediate post WW2 period up until 1961 the Ballarat
Aerodrome played an important part in the history of Australian
motor sport. The list of drivers who competed at
the aerodrome reads like a who's who of 1940-50's
Australian motor sport and included Bill Patterson (Cooper-Climax);
Alec Mildren (Cooper-Climax); John Leighton (Cooper); Lex Davison
(Aston Martin); Stan Jones (Cooper-Climax); Bib Stillwell
(Cooper-Climax); Arnold Glass (Cooper-Maserati); Austin Miller
(Cooper-Climax); Bryan Thomson (Monza); John Ampt (Cooper -
Jaguar); John Fish (Decca); Norm Beechey (Holden); Jim McKeown
(Holden); Harry Firth (Porsche); Murray Carter (Corvette Spl.);
David McKay (Fiat 1800); and Bob Jane (Maserati 300S).
The Festival is being organized by a consortium of motor
sporting administration and event specialists; local car clubs and
community service organizations; in conjunction with the City of
Ballarat Council.
The 2012 festival will be aimed at a family based community
event in the interests of giving the community an insight into
Ballarat's motoring heritage; an opportunity for
motoring enthusiasts to participate in inexpensive
motoring activities; and giving local service clubs an opportunity
to generate funding for their community projects.