RACING INTO HISTORY - Australian Grand Prix

1953 Australian Grand Prixon displayShortly before Albert Park hosted its first World Championshiprace in 1996, the great Sir Jack Brabham agreed to take part in aphoto shoot on the eastern side of the circuit. Much to onlookers’surprise, Australia’s triple World Champion hopped into hisyellow Maserati, executed a swift U-turn and roared off in the‘wrong’ direction.In fact Sir Jack was right: the circuit in its original form was usedin anti-clockwise direction, with the Start/Finish line up near whatwe now call Turn 3. Sir Jack was merely remembering what heused to do at Albert Park several decades before. Fittingly, then, manyof the cars which took part in that historic event will go ‘the wrongway’ once again in 2013.We are very proud to have on display a selection of theoriginal cars which took part in the first Australian Grand Prixat Albert Park in 1953.Carefully restored and maintained for the past 60 years ormore, each car is in pristine condition and will participate in a paradeon Sunday 17 March to celebrate the sport’s thrilling heritagein the park.A special marquee in the Shannons Historics precinct willalso showcase a wide variety of memorabilia from that memorable1953 event. Foremost among this remarkable collection ofphotographs, official programs, driver helmets and tools is theoriginal engine block of the Maybach driven by Stan Joneswhich led for a large part of the race.What follows is a selection of evocative images fromthe 1953 event and a short account of each car before,during and after the race that put Albert Park on the motorsport map.9