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Winton Raceway: Australia's Premier Speed Crucible

An immersive exploration of Victoria's iconic motorsport venue, detailing its history, circuit configurations, major events, and racing records.

Track History 📜 Lap Records ⏱️

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The Genesis of Speed

Origins and Foundation

The Winton Motor Raceway's journey began around 1958 when the Benalla Auto Club initiated plans for a dedicated permanent racing circuit, intending to replace their existing facility at Barjarg. By November 1960, the decision was made to construct the track at the Winton Recreation Reserve. The circuit was completed within a year, hosting its inaugural race meeting on November 26, 1961. Its immediate popularity was evident; a meeting in March 1965, featuring the Neptune touring car race and the Victorian Formula Two championship, drew an impressive crowd of approximately 10,000 spectators.

Evolution and Upgrades

The circuit underwent a significant length extension prior to the 1997 V8 Supercar championship round. This upgrade included the development of a new, modern pit complex, enhancing the facility's capabilities and appeal for major national and international racing series.

Circuit Configurations

National Circuit

The Winton National Circuit, established in 1997, is renowned for its demanding layout, characterized by a blend of high-speed straights and technically challenging, tight corners. It is often referred to as "Australia's Action Track" due to the close racing it facilitates.

Length: 3.000 km (1.864 miles)
Turns: 12

The National Circuit features a complex sequence of turns, including a left-hand turn before the 'esses' section, followed by a series of right-hand turns that eventually rejoin the original track layout. This configuration provides a comprehensive test of driver skill and machine performance.

Original Club Circuit

The original circuit, now known as the Winton Club Circuit, maintains its classic layout, offering a different challenge compared to its extended counterpart. It remains a popular venue for club-level racing and historic events.

Length: 2.028 km (1.260 miles)
Turns: 10

This circuit is characterized by its tighter bends and shorter straights, demanding precise driving and setup. It has been in continuous use since its inception, hosting a variety of motorsport disciplines.

A Hub of Motorsport Excellence

Major Series Hosted

Winton Motor Raceway has been a cornerstone for numerous prestigious motorsport championships in Australia. It has consistently featured on the calendars of:

  • Supercars Championship: Hosting the "Winton SuperSprint" for many years.
  • Australian Drivers' Championship: A long-standing venue for open-wheel racing.
  • Australian Sports Car Championship: Featuring prominently in the series' history.
  • Australian Superbike Championship: A key track for motorcycle racing.
  • TCR Australia Touring Car Series
  • S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship

The circuit has hosted a diverse range of events, including:

Current Major Events:

  • Hi-Tec Oils Super Series (including Australian Drivers' Championship, TA2 Racing Muscle Car Series, Australian Production Car Series)
  • Australian Formula Ford Series
  • Historic Winton
  • Touring Car Masters, National Sports Sedan Series, Winton Festival of Speed, Winton 300

Notable Former Events:

  • Australian GT Championship
  • Australian Nations Cup Championship
  • Australian Super Touring Championship
  • V8 Ute Racing Series
  • Formula 4 Australian Championship
  • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship

Drifting and Special Events

Beyond traditional circuit racing, Winton Raceway is also a celebrated venue for drifting, hosting significant events like "Drift Attack," known for its substantial prize pool and elite competition.

Drift Attack Champions:

  • 2009: Luke Fink (S14 Silvia)
  • 2010: Josh Coote (Nissan 180SX)

Chronicles of Speed: Lap Records

Benchmark Times

Winton Motor Raceway has witnessed incredible feats of speed across various motorsport disciplines. The following table details the official lap records for different classes on both the National and Original Club circuits.

National Circuit (3.000 km):

Class Driver Vehicle Time Date
Formula 3John MagroDallara F3111:14.305810 March 2019
Formula HoldenChristian MurchisonReynard 95D1:14.569716 July 2000
S5000Joey MawsonLigier JS F3-S50001:18.165911 June 2023
Sports SedanJordan CarusoAudi A41:18.879421 May 2022
SuperbikeTroy HerfossHonda CBR1000RR1:19.27414 March 2021
Supercars ChampionshipFabian CoulthardFord FG X Falcon1:19.709221 May 2016
GT3Jake FouracreAudi R8 LMS GT31:20.429810 June 2017
Formula 4Jayden OjedaMygale M14-F41:20.61062 September 2018
Porsche Carrera CupCallum HedgePorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup1:20.796921 May 2022
SupersportTom EdwardsYamaha YZF-R61:21.87214 March 2021
V8 Touring Car National SeriesTaz DouglasHolden VE Commodore1:23.344622 May 2016
Super2 SeriesSteve OwenFord FG Falcon1:23.76695 April 2014
Nations CupPaul StokellLamborghini Diablo GTR1:23.840321 September 2003
TCR Touring CarWill BrownHyundai i30 N TCR1:24.3721 September 2019
Trans-Am AustraliaBrett HoldsworthChevrolet Camaro1:24.516210 June 2023
Formula Ford (Duratec)James PiszcykMygale SJ131:24.773122 May 2022
Super TouringJim RichardsVolvo S401:25.31819 August 1998
Formula Ford (Kent)Jamie WhincupVan Diemen RF011:26.218818 August 2002
Touring Car MastersJohn BoweHolden LH Torana SL/R 50001:28.004922 May 2016
SidecarCorey Turner / Danyon TurnerSuzuki LCR - Honda CBR1000RR1:29.11213 March 2021
Supersport 300Carter ThompsonYamaha YZF-R31:30.60413 March 2021
Aussie Racing CarsTom HaymanMustang-Yamaha1:31.264021 May 2022
Moto3Dylan WhitesideHonda NSF250R1:32.5432 October 2016
Formula VeeBlaine GrillsSabre 021:32.64854 September 2016
GT PerformanceBob PearsonMazda RX-7 Series 81:32.653321 September 2003
SuperUtes (Diesel)Tom AlexanderHolden Colorado1:42.901720 May 2018

Original Club Circuit (2.028 km):

Class Driver Vehicle Time Date
Formula BrabhamMark LarkhamReynard 90D0:52.994 April 1992
Formula MondialJohn BoweRalt RT40:53.8012 August 1984
Formula X1 Hyper RacerDean CrookeHyper Racer X10:54.9110 July 2022
Formula 5000Alfredo CostanzoLola T4300:55.80October 1979
Formula 2Arthur AbrahamsCheetah Mk 80:56.96December 1988
Group A Sports Cars (Under 3-Litre)Bap RomanoKaditcha K583 Cosworth0:57.1014 August 1983
Group A Sports Cars (Over 3-Litre)Peter HopwoodKaditcha Chevrolet0:57.4014 August 1983
Sports SedanTony EdmondsonAlfa Romeo Alfetta GTV0:58.8012 August 1984
Group 5Alan JonesPorsche 935/800:59.0016 May 1982
ClubmanGrant TaylorGalloway0:59.60December 1987
Group 3A Touring CarGlenn SetonFord EB Falcon0:59.6516 May 1993
SuperbikesKirk McCarthyHonda RVF750 RC451:00.7655May 1995
Super TouringGeoff BrabhamBMW 318is1:00.97225 August 1996
Formula FordJohn BlanchardSwift SC92F1:01.185 April 1992
Group AMark SkaifeNissan Skyline R32 GT-R1:01.565 April 1992
GT ProductionPeter FitzgeraldPorsche 911 RSCS1:02.375125 August 1996
Porsche 944Chris Lewis-WilliamsPorsche 9441:05.01374 December 2016
Formula VeeAdrian WilkinsonElfin 761:07.01March 1996
Group 3E Series Production CarsTerry BosnjakHolden VP Commodore1:09.4216 May 1993
Truck racingSteven ZammitKenworth T4011:14.043011 August 2024

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References

References

  1.  Winton celebrates 50th birthday today Retrieved from www.speedcafe.com on 27 November 2011
A full list of references for this article are available at the Winton Motor Raceway Wikipedia page

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Important Considerations

Disclaimer

This content has been generated by an AI model for informational and educational purposes. It is based on data available from public sources, including Wikipedia, and aims for accuracy but may not reflect the absolute latest information or nuances.

This is not professional motorsport advice. The information provided should not substitute consultation with official track authorities, event organizers, or motorsport professionals. Always refer to official sources for the most current and accurate details regarding Winton Motor Raceway, its events, and regulations.

The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented herein.