Motor racing on Phillip Island began in 1928 with the inaugural 100 Miles Road Race, an event retrospectively recognised as the first Australian Grand Prix. This early iteration utilised a course of closed-off public roads, a high speed rectangle with four similar right-hand corners. The course length varied, approximately 6 mi (9.7 km) per lap for cars and 10 mi (16 km) for motorcycles. The circuit hosted the Australian Grand Prix through to 1935, with the final event on 6 May 1935 for the Jubilee Day Races.
A subsequent 3.312 mi (5.330 km) triangular circuit was mapped out and first used on 5 November 1935 for the Australian Race Drivers' Cup, following the use of the original circuit through 1935. Racing continued on this layout until 1940, with the final car event on 1 November 1938 and the final motorcycle race meeting on 30 January 1940. Notable events during this period included the 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1934 Australian Grand Prix, the 1934 Phillip Island 100, and the 1934 Victorian Centenary Grand Prix.
Following a period of inactivity, a group of six local businessmen decided to build a new track in 1951, located approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) from the original circuit. The new track opened in 1952. The first Armstrong 500 endurance race was held at the circuit in 1960. However, extensive damage sustained during the 1962 Armstrong 500 led to its closure and the subsequent relocation of the race to Mount Panorama in Bathurst, New South Wales, where it evolved into the Bathurst 1000.
The circuit reopened in October 1967, hosting the Phillip Island 500 endurance race, a round of the Australian Manufacturers' Championship from 1971 to 1977, and the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1976 and 1977. Despite this revival, the circuit’s challenging terrain and the need for significant maintenance led to its decline throughout the 1970s. It was temporarily farmed while closed, and eventually sold in 1985 in anticipation of reopening. A significant obstacle to resurfacing the track during this period was the limited load-bearing capacity of the Phillip Island Bridge, which prevented the delivery of heavy equipment and necessitated the use of a less durable cold mix bitumen surface.
Businessman and former Australian Drivers' Champion Len Lukey purchased the circuit in 1964 with a view to redevelopment. Corners on the circuit are named after the original circuit layout, with the new 1952 track bearing those names. In 2012, the third corner of the circuit was named after Australian motorcycle racer Casey Stoner.
The circuit underwent a significant refurbishment in 1988, resulting in a reduced length of 4.448 km (2.764 mi). It reopened on 4 December 1988, hosting the final round of the 1988 Swann Insurance International Series for motorcycles. The Linfox Group undertook a multimillion-dollar redevelopment in late 2006, including the construction of a new karting circuit.
Phillip Island has hosted a diverse range of motorsport events. It has been a regular host of the Superbike World Championship since 1990, taking over from Oran Park Raceway. The circuit also hosted the Australian Touring Car Championship (later V8 Supercars) from 1990 to 2007, and from 2005 to 2007 hosted the Grand Finale of the V8 Supercars season. Other events include the Australian GT Production Car Championship, Australian Sports Car Championship, and various national-level series. The circuit has also hosted endurance races like the Armstrong 500 and the Phillip Island 500.
The contract for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has been prolonged until 2026. Despite a ban on tobacco advertising since 2007, the event remains a key promoter for the circuit. In 2018, Mathew Radisich drove an IndyCar at Phillip Island, recording a lap time of 1:17.005, though this was not an official race lap record. Phillip Island continues to host numerous events, including Superbike World Championship rounds and GT racing festivals, solidifying its position as a significant motorsport venue in Australia.
Gallery · 4 related images
