AUSTRALIA’S only living Formula One World Champion, Alan Jones (pictured with Stan Jones), has joined another winning team – throwing his support behind a hastily resurrected Longford Motorama to be held at Woolmers Estate on the March long weekend.
Honouring ticket holders and keeping a major historic racethemed event in the town has been the driving force for racing enthusiasts Justin Brown, Rob Knott, John Talbot and Neil Kearney to replace the now defunct Grand Prix Expo.
With organiser DX Industries’ Jeremy Dickson walking away with the majority of a State Government grant of $450,000 unaccounted for just six weeks before the event was scheduled, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced another $150,000 would be provided to support a locally-driven motorsport showcase.
In a major coup the inclusion of the racing legend Jones was announced at the Longford Motorama launch at the Country Club Hotel on Wednesday night.
Jones was the first driver to win a Formula One World Championship with the Williams team, becoming the 1980 World Drivers’ Champion and just the second Australian to do so following triple World Champion Sir Jack Brabham. He competed in a total of 117 Grands Prix, winning 12 and achieving 24 podium finishes and was the last Australian driver to win the Australian Grand Prix in 1980 at Calder Park Raceway.
At the launch Jones was also delighted to witness the dedication of one of the hotel’s lounge areas, now called the Stan Jones Room, in honour of his father.
“The pieces of the puzzle have come together even better than we expected,” event coordinator Justin Brown said.
“Having Woolmers offer to host the event was a life saver – in the time we had left getting something onto the Village Green would have been impossible due to the road closure permits, insurance and extra security required, plus there isn’t really enough space.
“What we have now is a perfect venue that takes care of all of those worries plus gives us the ability to add more displays and entertainment. The historic buildings and even the famous rose garden are set to resemble pit lane as they’re filled with an impressive amount of old bikes and cars.
“And it’s about the people too, whether they raced, or were flag marshals or manned the gates – they are the true legends of Longford and they will be celebrated.
“Since the news broke about the expo being cancelled, we have been inundated with offers of vehicles and assistance and I think it will only grow and get better.”