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THE GRAND PRIX
The prediction that the Grand Prix
motor race would prove to be one of
the outstanding sporting events of the
South Australian Centenary pro-
gramme, has been abundantly fulfilled
The success of Saturday's fixture was
even more notable in view of the fact
that road racing of this kind is a
novelty here. The array of Centenary
attractions which December is produc-
ing, might have been expected to
detract from the popularity of this par-
ticular event; but it is not difficult to
find the reasons which induced such a
large crowd—the estimated number of
spectators was 40,000—to see the race.
Motor road racing is a sport which is
genuinely thrilling; and yet ingenuity
in engine and car design, and skill in
driving, have made possible astonish-
ingly high speeds on prepared courses,
without excessive danger either to
competitors or spectators. Turns,
twists, and hairpin bends there may
be; but the absence of serious mishaps
during Saturday's racing has demon-
strated convincingly that it is possible
for a skilful driver to retain control
even at the most awkward corner. The
prospect of an exciting contest be-
tween high-speed cars, might well have
been considered a sufficient excuse for
a trip to the scene or the race. To
this, however, was added on Saturday
the pleasure of a picnic outing under
most pleasant conditions. The Port
Elliot-Victor Harbour course, with its
background of hills, and with the blue
waters of Encounter Bay only a few
hundred yards away, must be regarded
as one of the most picturesque of its
kind in the world. Such a combination
of thrilling sport and scenic beauty
irresistibly attracted a great throng of
people.
The success of the fixture was so con-
spicuous, and its popularity so pro-
nounced, that there seems to be every
justification for making the South Aus-
tralian Grand Prix an annual event.
Scenically and structurally, the Port
Elliot-Victor Harbour course has been
described as the equal of any in the
Commonwealth. Although it is doubt-
less capable of considerable improve-
ment, there is reason to believe that,
even now, it compares favorably with
some famous courses in Europe and
the United States. It is beyond ques-
tion that it has many natural advan-
tages, from the viewpoint of both
competitors and spectators, over the
course at Phillip Island, Victoria, which
at present is regarded as the leading
Australian venue for motor road races.
The south Australian course has more
attractive surroundings, and is much
more accessible. Whereas it is neces-
sary to travel by car, and then by
ferry, to reach Phillip Island, the cost
of transport and accommodation being
relatively heavy, the Port Elliot-Victor
Harbour course is within easy reach of
the city by train and road, besides be-
ing in close proximity to two of the
State's leading seaside resorts. In
other parts of the world, including the
Isle of Man, Belfast, and certain Con-
tinental resorts, road racing has been
developed to an extraordinary degree,
and has become an attraction to visi-
tors over a wide radius. It is custo-
mary for the authorities on the Isle of
Man to allocate a portion of the public
funds each year to assist in the organ-
isation of road races there, and to at-
tract entries from overseas. Recently
the vote was increased to £4,500 a year.
Such events, it is realised, bring to the
island an influx or visitors, sometimes
of astonishing dimensions, with conse-
quent stimulus to the business life of
the whole of the community. Last
Saturday's race has shown that an an-
nual South Australian Grand Prix, with
appropriate prizes and publicity, could
be made an attraction to competitors
and spectators from all parts of Aus-
tralia, and possibly from overseas as
well. The benefit to the State as a
whole, and to Port Elliot and Victor
Harbour in particular, which would
accrue from a race of this kind, would
make the organising effort involved
well worth while.
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