The area of Tasmania where Symmons Plains is located holds a special place in Australian motorsport history as located 22km to the north is Longford.
Hosting the Australian Grand Prix twice, the Australian Touring Car Championship once, the Tasman Series five times, the Australian Tourist Trophy on three occasions and a round of the Australian Drivers’ Championship for eight seasons, Longford was one of the most prestigious venues in Australia.
The 7.24km circuit featured many obscure landmarks such as passing under a railway viaduct, the Longford pub on a corner, a level crossing, wooden bridges and the fast flying mile.
Opening in 1953, Longford rose to Australian Drivers’ Championship status in 1958 a year before it hosted its first Australian Grand Prix.
From 1964 to 1968 Longford hosted a who’s who of racing legends such as Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Phil Hill, Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart in addition to local stars Bib Stillwell, Leo Geoghegan, Frank Matich, Spencer Martin, Kevin Bartlett and Lex Davison for the annual Tasman Series.
Davison, grandfather of current Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Will actually crashed into this building during a practice session in 1962, walked into the bar and ordered a brandy before watching the rest of the action.
Now known as the Country Club Hotel, the bar is named in the Australian great’s honour.
Following its closure due to financial constraints at the end of 1968, Longford held the honour of having the fastest lap record in regards to average speed after New Zealand Chris Amon set a blistering 2m 12.6s at 196.7km/h on March 2, 1968 driving a Ferrari P4.
It was a shame Bob Jane’s touring car lap record of 3m 07.1s set in 1962 was never able to be broken due to the rise of the discipline through the mid-1960s, which turned into a series format for 1969.
Today, the track cannot be fully driven as a highway now splits the original course. However, it can be mostly traversed such as the Longford Corner, Tannery Straight, the Flying Mile and the Viaduct. The two bridges crossing the South Esk River have been long demolished.
If fans are heading to the NED Whiskey Tasmania SuperSprint for the first time this weekend, visiting Longford is a must.