Longford Circuit, motor racing street circuit based around the Tasmanian town
Longford Circuit is a racing track in Tasmania built in the 1950s on existing public roads around the town. The course stretched about 7 kilometers, passed under a railway viaduct, crossed the South Esk River twice via two bridges, and featured nine turns along its length.
The circuit opened with its first race in 1953 and operated until 1968, when financial difficulties forced its closure. During those years it hosted the Australian Grand Prix twice and served as the longest track ever used for the Australian Touring Car Championship.
The name comes from the town where the circuit was built on public roads. The track passed by the Longford Hotel and crossed bridges that locals still use today, showing how racing was woven into everyday life rather than separated into a special space.
You can walk parts of the old circuit and see the railway viaduct and bridge remnants scattered through the area. Check local event schedules in advance, as the Longford Revival Festival occasionally allows visitors to watch vintage cars race on Pateena Road, known as the Flying Mile.
Longford Circuit held Australia's fastest road racing record, set by Chris Amon in a Ferrari with a time of 2 minutes and 12.6 seconds. This speed record stood for 19 years until a new circuit in Melbourne broke it in 1987.
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