One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Racing Motor Cycles and Sidecars raising dust on the finishing straight.local history, photography, racing motor cycles and sidecars, black & white photograph, sport, motor cycle racing, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a racing Motor Cycle and Sidecar rounding a corner. Crowd of spectators in background.local history, photography, racing motor cycle and sidecar, black & white photograph, sport, motor cycle racing, john jenner, bryant west

Donated by J W Gliddon with his comments on back of photograph. Taken when motorbike and car racing were run around the roads on Phillip Island. Racing first came to Phillip Island in 1927 in the form of a 200 mile road race for motorcycles on a circuit encompassing Cowes and Rhyll. In the next year, a shorter rectangular course, again on public roads, was used for the running of what became the first Australian Grand Prix. Eight successive Australian Grand Prix were run on this course before the race was moved elsewhere. Finally in 1935, racing was discontinued and Phillip Island lapsed into the tranquility and peacefulness of its quiet country and beach atmosphere.Black & White photograph of motorcycle riders on bike and sidecar. Crowd watching at the side of the road. See Historical Information for more detail re motorcycle racing on Phillip Island.On back: "This picture could become historically interesting as machines and methods change. It was taken about the year 1950. Perhaps earlier." motor cycle racing