Mallala Motor Sport Park Explained

Mallala Motor Sport Park is a 2.601km (01.616miles) bitumen motor racing circuit near the town of Mallala in South Australia, 55 km north of the state capital, Adelaide.

Mallala Race Circuit (1961–1971)

The Mallala Race Circuit, as it was originally known,[1] was established on the site of the former RAAF Base Mallala. The land was purchased from the Royal Australian Air Force at public auction in 1961 by a group of enthusiasts seeking to create a replacement for the Port Wakefield Circuit.[2] South Australia had been allocated the 1961 Australian Grand Prix on the state by state rotational system that applied at that time, but the organisers had subsequently been informed by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) that the 2.092km (01.3miles) Port Wakefield Circuit, which had hosted the 1955 Australian Grand Prix, was no longer suitable to host the event.[3]

The opening meeting for the new venue was held on 19 August 1961 with Bib Stillwell winning the main event in a Cooper Climax. The 1961 Australian Grand Prix headlined the circuits second meeting with Lex Davison winning his fourth and last AGP driving a Cooper T51 Coventry Climax FPF.[4] The original lap distance of 3.379km (02.1miles) was reduced to 2.601km (01.616miles) in late 1964[4] when Bosch Curve was moved closer to the Dunlop Curve Grandstand,[5] thus removing the north eastern leg of the circuit.[6] Mallala served as South Australia's home of motor sport throughout the sixties[4] and it hosted a round of the Australian Drivers' Championship each year from 1961 to 1971.[7] The Australian Tourist Trophy was held there in 1962 and 1968[8] and the single race Australian Touring Car Championship was staged in 1963, as were annual rounds of the same championship after it changed to a series format in 1969. In 1971 the property was bought by Keith Williams who at the time owned the Surfers Paradise International Raceway, and was constructing the new Adelaide International Raceway.[2] Mallala was closed in that year as Williams had a court ordered covenant placed on the property preventing any motor sport activities. This ensured that Adelaide International would become the new home of motor racing in SA.[2]

Test Track

After the circuit's closure as a motor racing venue, Chrysler Australia, who had their manufacturing base in Adelaide, continued using the Mallala as their test track. Leading race drivers Leo and Pete Geoghegan, who were factory backed Chrysler drivers in Series Production racing, often tested vehicles such as the Chrysler Valiant Charger at the circuit. Mallala was also the test track for the Adelaide-based Elfin Sports Cars run by company founder Garrie Cooper. Elfin produced a variety of sports and Open-wheel race cars.

Mallala Motor Sport Park (1980–present)

Following the purchase of the Mallala site by South Australia businessman and Sports Sedan racer Clem Smith in 1977, a Supreme Court decision declared the covenant unenforceable.[2] The facility was then redeveloped and was reopened for motorcycle racing in 1980 and for car racing in 1982.[4] It was now known as Mallala Motor Sport Park.[9]

The circuit was initially issued with a "B" track license, thus excluding the staging of championship level racing, and the track's biggest annual event became Historic Mallala which was held each Easter.[10] This was upgraded to an "A" track license in 1984, allowing Mallala to stage Round 5 of the 1984 Australian Formula 2 Championship on 3 June won by Keith McClelland driving a Cheetah Mk 8-VW. This was the first national championship round to be staged at the circuit since the final round of the 1971 Australian Sports Car Championship on 14 November 1971 won by John Harvey driving a McLaren M6B-Repco.

National championship motor racing continued sporadically over the next few years, but the circuit was brought back into national focus when it was chosen over Adelaide International to host a round of the Australian Touring Car Championship each year from 1989 to 1998. When that championship evolved into the Shell Championship Series in 1999, the Mallala round was replaced by the Clipsal 500, held on a shortened version of the Adelaide Street Circuit in an exclusive deal between V8 Supercars and the John Olsen led Government of South Australia. A round of the second tier V8 Supercar Development Series was held at Mallala Motor Sport Park each year from 2000 to 2006 before also moving to the Adelaide Street Circuit in 2007.

On 7 May 1989, Mallala had the honour of hosting the first ever Formula Holden race as part of the opening round of the 1989 Australian Drivers' Championship. Mark McLaughlin driving a South Australian designed and built Elfin FA891 won the opening heat of the meeting from former dual Australian Formula 2 champion Peter Glover, with television commentator turned race driver Neil Crompton finishing third.

Currently the main meetings held annually are the Mallala Historics each Easter and a round of the Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships staged shortly afterwards. Drifting now takes place on a regular basis in the form of the G1 Drift Competition and Drift Supercup which runs from turn 8 to turn 2. Supertruck Racing is no longer staged at Mallala due to the deteriorating surface of the track, the final event being in late 2009. Major meetings at Mallala are run by the Sporting Car Club of South Australia and other clubs that regularly use the circuit include the Adelaide Superkart Club, Marque Sports Car Association of SA, and the MG Car Club of SA. Since its re-opening, the Mallala circuit has also been used for private driver training courses and the South Australia Police use the circuit for driver training and assessment.

The Mallanats is an annual car show held at the circuit since 2009. The weekend includes burnout competitions and various performance car events similar to the Summernats format. The event returned once a year in 2010 and 2011, with two Mallanats events being scheduled in 2012.

The Elfin Mallala sports racing car was named after the circuit, having competed in its first race there.

Ownership by Peregrine Corporation

Following the passing of owner Clem Smith in February 2017 the Peregrine Corporation, owners of the upcoming The Bend Motorsport Park, purchased the complex and took over the operations in May the same year.[11] Peregrine Corporation is owned by the Shahin family who also own On the Run (convenience store) in Australia.

Major events

Australian Grand Prix

In just its second race meeting, the Mallala Race Circuit hosted the 1961 Australian Grand Prix. The race was won by Lex Davison driving a Cooper T51 Coventry Climax FPF from Bib Stillwell, with David McKay finishing third. McKay finished first on the road, but was controversially penalised 60 seconds for an alleged jump start.

Australian Touring Car Championship

Each year from 1960 to 1968 the Australian Touring Car Championship was contested as single race, with Mallala hosting the title in 1963 on its original 3.38 km (2.1 mi) layout. From 1969 onwards the championship was contested over a number of rounds with Mallala hosting a round each year from 1969 to 1971 and from 1989 to 1998. From 1972 to 1988 all ATCC rounds in South Australia were held at the Adelaide International Raceway. In 1999 the Australian Touring Car Championship was renamed to the Shell Championship Series with all South Australian rounds from that time held at a modified (shortened) version of the Adelaide Street Circuit.

In 1989 when the ATCC returned to Mallala after an absence of 18 years, the tight and bumpy circuit received mixed reviews from the top touring car drivers. Some, such as Nissan driver Jim Richards praised the circuit stating that the racing would be closer as it did not allow the all-powerful Ford Sierra RS500's to fully utilise their speed advantage. Others such as reigning (and that years) ATCC champion Dick Johnson were openly critical of the circuit and its lack of facilities, though some cynically noted that other than Bathurst, Johnson wouldn't admit to liking any circuit located outside of his home state of Queensland. Ironically, Dick Johnson would actually win the 1989 ATCC race at Mallala rather easily, claiming pole position and sprinting away from the field to win by 29 seconds after 60 minutes of racing. To his credit circuit owner Clem Smith would use the profits made from hosting Australia's highest profile race series which would regularly draw a capacity crowd despite not always having good weather, to continually upgrade the facilities at Mallala until the championship moved to Adelaide in 1999.[12]

The following table lists the winner of the single race 1963 championship and the winners of each Australian Touring Car Championship round held at the Mallala circuit.

YearDriverCarEntrant
Appendix J Touring Cars
1963 Bob JaneJaguar Mark 2Bob Jane
Group C Improved Production
1969 Ian GeogheganFord Mustang GTAMustang Team
1970 Ian GeogheganFord Mustang GTAGeoghegan's Sporty Cars
1971 Bob JaneChevrolet Camaro ZL-1Bob Jane Racing Team
Group A
1989 Dick JohnsonFord Sierra RS500Shell Ultra-Hi Racing
1990 Colin BondFord Sierra RS500Caltex CXT Racing
1991 Mark SkaifeNissan Skyline R32 GT-RNissan Motor Sport
1992 Mark SkaifeNissan Skyline R32 GT-RWinfield Team Nissan
Group 3A Touring Cars
1993 Glenn SetonFord EB FalconPeter Jackson Racing
1994 Mark SkaifeHolden VP CommodoreWinfield Racing
1995 Glenn SetonFord EF FalconPeter Jackson Racing
1996 Craig LowndesHolden VR CommodoreHolden Racing Team
1997 Greg MurphyHolden VS CommodoreHolden Racing Team
1998 Russell IngallHolden VS CommodoreCastrol Perkins Racing

Australian Super Touring Championship

Mallala hosted the Australian Super Touring Championship (known as the Australian 2.0 Litre Touring Car Championship in 1993 and Australian Manufacturers' Championship in 1994) 8 times between 1993 and 2000–01.

YearWinnerCarTeam
1993 John SmithToyota Corolla Seca AE93Caltex Team Toyota
1994 Tony LonghurstBMW 318iBenson & Hedges Racing
1995 Geoff BrabhamBMW 318iDiet Coke BMW Racing
1996 Greg MurphyAudi A4 QuattroOrix Audi Sport Australia
1997 Cameron McConvilleAudi A4 QuattroOrix Audi Sport Australia
1998 Brad JonesAudi A4 QuattroAudi Sport Australia
1999 Paul MorrisBMW 320iPaul Morris Motorsport
2000–01 Paul MorrisBMW 320iPaul Morris Motorsport

V8 Supercar Development Series

Mallala Motor Sport Park hosted a round of the V8 Supercar Development Series each year from the inception of the series in 2000 through to 2006. Since 2007 all South Australian rounds have been held at the Adelaide Parklands Circuit.

YearDriverCarEntrant
2000 David BesnardFord EL FalconStone Brothers Racing
2001 Simon WillsHolden VT CommodoreTeam Dynamik
2002 Paul DumbrellHolden VX CommodoreIndependent Race Cars Australia
2003 Mark WinterbottomFord AU FalconStone Brothers Racing
2004 Greg RitterFord AU FalconSpeed FX Racing
2005 Dean CantoFord BF FalconDick Johnson Racing
2006 Adam MacrowFord BA FalconHoward Racing

Australian Drivers' Championship

Mallala Race Circuit hosted the South Australian round of the annual Australian Drivers' Championship each year from 1961 to 1971. Mallala Motor Sport Park has hosted rounds in numerous years since 1988.

YearDriverCarEntrant
Formula Libre
1961 Lex DavisonCooper T51BS Stillwell
1962 Bib StillwellCooper T53BS Stillwell
1963 John YoulCooper T55John Youl
Australian National Formula & Australian 1½ Litre Formula
1964 Lex DavisonBrabham BT4Ecurie Australie
1965 Bib StillwellRepco Brabham BT11ABS Stillwell
1966 John HarveyBrabham BT14RC Phillips
1967 Spencer MartinRepco Brabham BT11ABob Jane Racing Team
1968 Leo GeogheganLotus 39Geoghegan Racing Team
Australian National Formula & Australian Formula 2
1969 Garrie CooperElfin 600CElfin Sports Cars
Australian Formula 1 & Australian Formula 2
1970 Leo GeogheganLotus 59Geoghegan's Sporty Cars
1971 John McCormackElfin MR5Elfin Sports Cars
Australian Formula 2
1988 Rohan OnslowCheetah Mk8RJ MacArthur Onslow
Formula Holden
1989 Mark McLaughlinElfin FA891Elfin Sports Cars
1990 Mark SkaifeSPA FB001Skaife Racing P/L
Formula Brabham
1991 Mark SkaifeSPA 003Skaife Racing
1994 Paul StokellReynard 91DBirrana Racing
1995 Paul StokellReynard 91DBirrana Racing
Formula Holden
1996 Jason BrightReynard 91DBirrana Racing
1997 Mark NoskeLola T93/50Mark Noske
2000 Simon WillsReynard 94DBirrana Racing
2001 Rick KellyReynard 94DHolden Young Lions
2002Reynard 94DRalt Australia
Formula 4000
2003 Daniel GauntReynard 96DRalt Australia / Pure Power Racing
2004 Neil McFadyenReynard 96DRalt Australia
Australian Formula 3
2005 Michael CarusoDallara F301Picollo Scuderia Corse
2006 Ben ClucasDallara F304Gawler Farm Machinery
2007 James WinslowDallara F304Piccola Scuderia Corse
2008 Leanne TanderDallara F307TanderSport
2010 Ben BarkerDallara F307Team BRM
2017 Calan WilliamsDallara F311Gilmour Racing

Australian Formula 2 Championship

Australian Formula 2 Championship raced at Mallala 6 times between 1971 and 1988.

YearWinnerCarTeam
1971 Henk WoeldersElfin 600CBill Patterson Racing
1984 Keith McClellandCheetah Mk 8Keith McClelland
1985 Peter GloverCheetah Mk 8Peter Macrow
1986 Jon CrookeCheetah Mk 8Jonathon Crooke
1987 Mark McLaughlinElfin 852Elfin Sports Cars Pty Ltd
1988 Rohan OnslowCheetah Mk 8RJ MacArthur Onslow

Australian Sports Sedan Championship

The Australian Sports Sedan Championship raced at Mallala 6 times between 1991 and 2003.

YearWinnerCarTeam
1991 Mick MonterossoFord Escort Mark II ChevroletMick Monterosso
1992 Brian SmithAlfa Romeo Alfetta GTV ChevroletB. Smith
1998 Tony RicciardelloAlfa Romeo Alfetta GTV ChevroletBasil Ricciardello
1999 Tony RicciardelloAlfa Romeo Alfetta GTV ChevroletBasil Ricciardello
2000 Kerry BailyNissan 300ZX ChevroletKerry Baily
2003 Tony RicciardelloAlfa Romeo Alfetta GTV ChevroletBasil Ricciardello

Australian Nations Cup Championship

The Australian Nations Cup Championship raced at Mallala in 2004. It would be the final ever round of the Nations Cup Championship for GT style cars.

Australian GT Championship

The Australian GT Championship raced at Mallala in 2006.

Lap records

As of February 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Mallala Motor Sport Park are listed as:[13] [14]

ClassDriverVehicleTimeDate
Full Circuit: 2.601 km (1964–1971, 1980–present)[15]
Formula Holden Paul StokellReynard 90D1:02.577 August 1994
Formula 3 Calan WilliamsDallara F3111:03.407811 June 2017
Sports Sedan Tony RicciardelloAlfa Romeo Alfetta GTV-Chevrolet1:05.632827 April 2014
Superbikes Daniel FalzonYamaha YZF-R11:05.767[16] 06 March 2021
Time Attack Pro Class Matt LonghurstNissan Skyline GT-R R341:05.861218 November 2017
Sports Racer James WinslowWest WR 10001:05.981026 April 2014
Superkart Gary PegoraroAnderson Maverick FPE1:06.32377 June 2009
Supersport Jamie StaufferYamaha YZF-R61:07.424[17] 31 August 2009
GT3 Mark RosserAudi R8 LMS GT31:07.637710 October 2021
Group 3A Greg MurphyHolden VS Commodore1:08.143713 July 1997
Nations Cup Paul StokellLamborghini Diablo GTR1:08.517919 September 2004
Dunlop V8 Supercar Paul DumbrellHolden VT Commodore1:08.733012 August 2001
Porsche GT3 Challenge John GoodacrePorsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup 3.81:09.091827 April 2014
Prostock Pat MedcalfYamaha YZF-R11:09.23131 August 2009
Group A Mark SkaifeNissan Skyline GT-R R321:09.2631 May 1992
Formula 1000 Aaron SteerFirman F10001:09.356523 May 2015
Super Touring Brad JonesAudi A4 Quattro1:10.256919 July 1998
Formula Ford Nick PercatVan Diemen RF041:11.362417 September 2006
Sidecar Steve Abbott / Jamie BiggsSuzuki LCR1:11.5055 June 2005
125cc GP Brett SimmondsHonda RS 1251:12.2655 June 2005
Improved Production Outright Andy SarandisMitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 RS1:12.44878 July 2023
Time Attack ClubSprint Stanley GongMitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR1:13.935919 February 2022
Improved Production Class B Michael De LucaMazda RX71:15.594821 Aug 2016
Formula Vee Andrew Ford Birrana 2741:16.587912 March 2022
Commodore Cup Daniel RichertHolden VS Commodore1:17.68411 July 2007
Saloon Cars Wayne KingHolden VT Commodore1:18.655523 May 2016
Porsche 944 Chris Lewis-WilliamsPorsche 9441:19.616319 August 2017
Production Cars Steve KnightMitsubishi Lancer Evo 81:19.366517 October 2007
V8 Utes Grant JohnsonHolden SS Ute1:21.494021 August 2005
Circuit Excel Joel JohnsonHyundai Excel1:25.374610 July 2022
HQ Holdens Peter LinesHolden HQ Kingswood1:26.847915 August 1999
Full Circuit: 3.379 km (1961–1964)
Bill Patterson
Lex Davison
Cooper T51
Cooper T51
1:44.0 9 October 1961
David McKayElfin Mallala1:56.9 28 December 1962
Bob JaneJaguar Mark 2 4.11:57.2 15 April 1963

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Official Souvenir Programme, Mallala Motor Races, Easter Monday, 15 April 1963, page 6
  2. http://www.spriteclub.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=67&Itemid=42 Mallala History
  3. http://www.austin7clubsa.com.au/50thbook/chapter2.pdf Austin 7 Club SA 50 Years
  4. The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, page 288
  5. The Revised Race Track, Official Souvenir Programme, Mallala Motor Races, 12 October 1964, page 6
  6. http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/mallala2.jpg Mallala circuit map
  7. Gold Star Supplement, Racing Car News, August 1972
  8. 1980 CAMS Manual of Motor Sport, page 56
  9. Official Souvenir Programme, The Premier Meeting of Mallala Motor Sport Park, 27 June 1982
  10. Official Souvenir Programme, The Premier Meeting of Mallala Motor Sport Park, 27 June 1982, page 4
  11. News: SA's No. 1 motorsport fan Sam Shahin plans to improve Mallala Motor Sport Park after buying it . Miles . Kemp . 11 May 2017 . 12 May 2017 . The Advertiser . News Corp.
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvxf6t2dZHE&t=800s 1989 ATCC R5 Mallala
  13. http://racing.natsoft.com.au/results/#1 Natsoft Race Results
  14. Web site: Austin 7 Club (S.A.) Inc. - Lap Records . www.austin7clubsa.com.au . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120320091103/http://www.austin7clubsa.com.au/index.php/lap-records . 20 March 2012 . 18 December 2022.
  15. Web site: Mallala - Racing Circuits . 18 December 2022.
  16. Web site: Computime 2021 Adelaide 3 Hour . 26 May 2024.
  17. Web site: Mallala Motorsport Park Motorcycle Lap Records . 14 December 2022.