Phillip Island
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Named after Governor Arthur Phillip, Phillip Island in Victoria (Australia) forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port Bay.
Part of the Bass Coast Shire, it is mainly a tourist destination. The island's history has seen shipwrecks and attempts to grow various specialty crops. The Penguin Parade (see little penguin) and Seal Rocks are the main tourist venues, with visitors from all over the world coming to see one of the few areas where this species of penguin can be seen. On New Year's Eve the island hosts the Pyramid Rock Festival.
Towns on and around the island include:
- Beachcomber
- Cape Woolamai, Cowes, Cowes East, Cowes West
- Newhaven
- Rhyll
- San Remo, Silverleaves, Smith's Beach, Summerland, Sunderland Bay, Sunset Strip, Surf Beach
- Ventnor
- Wimbledon Heights, Woolamai Waters
Motor Racing
| Location | Phillip Island, Victoria (Australia) |
|---|---|
| Major events | MotoGP, Superbike, V8 Supercar |
| Circuit length | 4.445 kilometres ( miles) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Lap record | 1.24.2215 (Simon Wills, Reynard 94D Formula 4000, 2000) |
The first races on Phillip Island took place in 1926 with the first Australian Grand Prix, known as the 100mile race. It used, as was traditional at the time, a high speed rectangle of local closed-off public roads. The course length varied, with the car course approximately 6 miles per lap, to motorcycle racing of appx. 10 miles. The very first Grand Prix was known as the 100 Mile Race
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. It survived from the late 1920's to 1935.
In 1951, local businessmen decided to build a new track. This is around 2Km from the original circuit, but still bears the corner name signs of the original circuit. As the piece of available land was on the edge of the coast, the track is known for its step grades - the highest 57metres, which caused cost overs runs and delays in track opening. The track hosted its first race in 1956, but due to extensive damage from the 1962 Armstrong 500, the circuit could not afford repairs, and the race moves to Bathurst.
The circuit reopened in 1966, but again due to its testing terrain, the circuit required much maintenance, and slowly declined through the 1970's. It was farmed by its owners while closed, and was then sold in 1985 in preparation for reopening, but did not do so until 1989 after agreement on a long term lease and rebuild agreement. It hosted its first World Superbike race in 1990
External links
- [Phillip Island Tourist Information service] Online bookings, maps, calendar, accommodation, history
- [Phillip Island Nature Park Web Site] Includes Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Center.
- [Photos of Phillip Island]
- [Official website of the GP Circuit]
- [History of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit] Track tour, Streaming Video of race lap, race event contacts
- [Tranquil Artillery] - Phillip Islands Finest Hip Hop
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