READY, SET, GO: Graeme Henderson in his 1958 Austin Healey Sprite. PHOTO: ADAM TRAFFORD.
BALLARAT’S history extends far beyond buildings and people – it includes motor sport history, too.
And through the past week, that history has been celebrated with the Ballarat Festival of Motoring.
Yesterday, hundreds of spectators gathered at the Ballarat Airport to watch sprint races and regulatories over 27 classes.
Ballarat Festival of Motoring founder and organiser John Emery said the festival was a perfect way for families to come out and enjoy Father’s Day.
“We ran the event on Easter last year and everyone loved it so much we’re deciding to continue it on as a Father’s Day event,” he said.
Mr Emery said the circuit at the Ballarat Airport was where motor sport returned to Australia after World War II, with an event held there in 1947.
The crowds gathered at the airport yesterday for another significant event in motor racing history.
The only two Australian cars to have won the world championships in formula racing stood side by side for the first time.
Jack Brabham’s Repco, in which he won the 1966 world championship, and the Williams car in which Alan Jones took the big title in 1980 were on display.
“The day is totally unique – nowhere you can go and have an atmosphere like this – where you can get up close to the cars and chat to the owners and drivers and watch the races,” Mr Emery said.
