Former Australian Grand Prix track yours for as little as $80,000

It’s not Monaco, the Nürburgring or even Bathurst — but this slice of South Australian dirt comes with a motorsport history that will have car enthusiasts revving their engines.

An original part of the Port Wakefield 1955 Grand Prix Circuit — where Jack Brabham won his first Grand Prix race — S2134 Olson Rd, Port Wakefield is looking for a new custodian, after its vendor decided to sell the historic property to fund her age-care needs.

The 32ha property, which still has the outline of the original racetrack, is for sale on Openn Negotiation — a flexible terms online auction site run similarly to eBay.

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It is expected to sell between $80,000 to $100,000.

The auction closes on August 9 and currently carries a bid of $5000.

The 1955 Australian Grand Prix in Port Wakefield. Jack Brabham and Doug Whiteford are on the second row in Cooper T40 Bristol ‘Bobtail’ and Lago-Talbot. Picture: Malcolm Preston

Australian motorsport identity Glen Dix, 85, who attended the infamous race 64 years ago, says the sale marks an unmissable chance for buyers to secure a slice of Australian Grand Prix history.

Visiting the site for a final time last Friday, Dix says it is reminiscent of the “hot and dusty day”, which saw Brabham take the title in a streamlined Cooper-Bristol in 1hr 26min 44.43sec.

“I was 21 and there as a spectator, watching my first ever Grand Prix,” the former flagman recalls.

Jack Brabham receives a kiss from his wife after winning the 1955 Australian Grand Prix.

“I remember that it was a hot and dusty day with a crowd of a few thousand — which was a good number for motorsport back in the day.

“I remember walking away from practice that day, thinking that man (Brabham) will win. He was so smooth and consistent, more so than anyone else.”

The race, which also marked the Australian Grand Prix’s 20th anniversary, had 22 starters and was held over 80 laps of the 2.09km course.

It was the first to be held on a purpose built motor racing circuit after the previous 19 were held on closed streets or country roads, or on airfields modified for the purpose.

“The circuit provided a place for racing as, at the time, road racing was banned in the State because of a death involving a spectator,” Dix says.

The outline of the old racing tract can still be seen at S2134 Olson Road, Port Wakefield.

“The plan was to run the next Grand Prix there as well, but when the next one was held in South Australia — which was in 1961 — Port Wakefield was no longer big enough, so they moved the event out to Mallala.”

Selling agent Nigel Christie, of Harcourts Wine Coast says the listing has already attracted plenty of interest from car enthusiasts, both locally and interstate.

He says the current vendor has owned the property since 1974, using the land for grazing livestock.

“If you’re a car buff, this property is certainly worth your consideration. You’ll not just be buying real estate, but a piece of history,” he says.

“The block could also be useful in the future, especially if they do a bypass for Port Wakefield along that track.

“In the meantime, it’s just a great spot for recreational use. It’s fully fenced and has water, so you can just go out there, ride your bike or horse for a bit of fun.”

This article from The Advertiser originally appeared as “For sale: Australian Grand Prix track at Port Wakefield”.