Gnoo Blas circuit

Motorsport venue
Name = Gnoo Blas
Location = Orange, New South Wales
Time = GMT +10


Events = Australian Touring Car Championship
Length_km = 6.03
Length_mi = 3.75
Turns = 8
Record_time = 2:07.4
Record_driver = Jon Leighton
Record_team = Cooper-Climax
Record_year = 1960

Gnoo Blas circuit was a motor racing circuit at Orange, New South Wales, Australia. The circuit was formed from rural roads and highways outside of the town, around the grounds of Bloomfield Hospital and what is now known as Sir Jack Brabham Park. It was 6.03 km long. The name came from the Aboriginal name for nearby Mount Canobolas. [cite web | url=http://tasman-series.com/misc/lostcircuits/gnooblas/gnooblas.asp | title=Gnoo Blas Fast and Furious | publisher=Tasman-Series.com : The 2.5L Tasman Series 1964-69 | accessdate=2008-07-24]

The circuit was opened in January 1953. The circuit was run by former Mount Panorama Circuit organising club, the Australian Sporting Car Club. The circuit played a crucial part in the growth of Australian open wheel racing in the post war era but sadly faded before the peak created by the Tasman Series. The circuit also held the inaugural Australian Touring Car Championship event in 1960 which was won by David McKay.

Continuing battles with New South Wales Police Force who authorised motor racing through the Speedway Act eventually forced the tracks closure October 1961. [citebook | title = Fast Tracks | last = Walker | first = Terry | publisher = Turton & Armstrong Pty Ltd Publishers | year = 1995 | isbn = 0 908031 55 6 | pages = 70 & 71]

The locally based Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club hold an annual classic car show at the site. [cite web | url=http://www.visitnsw.com/town/Orange/Gnoo_Blas_Circuit/info.aspx | title=Gnoo Blas Circuit - Sport and Recreation | publisher=Tourism New South Wales | accessdate=2008-07-24]

References