Welcome to the jungle — the land of the swinging sixties, where your standard race cars are parked in the front and there are floral prints on the walls.
If you could transplant yourself to a time when cars had no seatbelts, and the legal drinking age was much lower, you’d probably find yourself quite content. But the reality is a little different; cars have become a little less colourful, and the rooms a little more institutional. But that’s not to say that the good old days were without their charms.
The nostalgia boom has led to a surge in the popularity of period motorsport, with fans taking their love for these classic car races and aping the action with modern conveniences like smartphones and daily drives to work. One such example is the return of the 50th running of the Australian Grand Prix, aptly titled the ‘Grand Prix of Flowers’.
The concept is simple: to run a race at the end of April each year, and based on the old Holden vs Ford rivalry, have flags representing the two cars’ respective sponsorships.
The rules are also remarkably straightforward: there are no restrictions on car modifications, and the drivers are required to drive within the time limit and adhere to the racing line. The only other stipulation is that each car must start with a clean slate — there’s no blocking in modern motorsport, so there’s no need to worry about a car in front getting in the way.
But the real appeal of this year’s race is the location: the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix will be run at the prestigious Albert Park circuit in the Australian city. This is the same track that hosted the first ever Formula One Grand Prix, back in 1914. What better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than with a retro event?
The organisers behind the 50th Anniversary Albert Park Grand Prix are the same team that successfully brought back the Paris-Dakar rally, and along with their counterparts in Adelaide, have created a platform for historic car races in Australia. What Is A 50 Spring Rollback At Speedway?
The Rise In Popularity
It’s fair to say that the past decade hasn’t been kind to classic car fans. The financial crash of 2008 put a nail in the coffin of the good old automobile, and the ensuing years have seen a massive drop in the value of cars manufactured before the year 2000. But despite the odds, a dedicated group of people have carried on with their love for vintage motorsport, maintaining their interest in cars through social media and dedicated forums.
The results are plain to see on vintage racing forums like Carsales.com.au, where people are actively seeking parts to restore old cars and motorsport has once again become a popular topic. It was in this environment that the Melbourne Cup steering wheel cover manufacturer Kia decided to celebrate the golden anniversary of the first ever Australian Formula One Grand Prix by staging a full-scale replica. What Is A 50 Spring Rollback At Speedway?
The Paddock And The Stands
With many of these vintage races being held in countries where the legal drinking age is not yet 16, there’s an additional layer of nostalgia in the air. The drivers and teams are transported back in time to the good old days when a drink was never even considered an option before a fast lap. These are the sorts of cars that Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna drove; the cars that made them legends. So when the moment of celebration comes round, the crews happily raise a glass to those legendary drivers and celebrate the golden era of motorsport.
But this is far from the only motorsport-related excitement upon which Victoria will be focusing this month. The first round of the 2019 V8 Supercars Championship is also set to be held in the state, with the traditional Phillip Island race taking place on the 26th of April. What Is A 50 Spring Rollback At Speedway?
The Modern Take
It’s not just about having a go at the classics though. The nostalgia boom has led to a resurgence of interest in all things modern as well, with people seeking to emulate the cool, calm, collected driving style of modern racers like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. The likes of which we’ll be seeing at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.
Even the venue itself embodies the spirit of the 1960s. Not only is it located in Victoria, but it was also originally built in 1914 — the same year that the first ever Formula One Grand Prix was held. Much of the track has been kept the same since those heady days, with the layout largely unchanged since its inception. This year will mark the 98th running of the Australian Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious events on the calendar for motorsport enthusiasts. What Is A 50 Spring Rollback At Speedway?
What Will Happen During The Event?
The Grand Prix of Flowers is just one of a number of historic motorsport events taking place across the country this month. The 24-hour Le Mans-style endurance event, the Bathurst 12 Hour, will also be held in New South Wales, while the series of ‘One Offs’ which comprise of a number of individual events in Victoria will celebrate the golden era of motorsport. What Is A 50 Spring Rollback At Speedway?
The Revival Of Steam
It’s not just about having a go at the classics though. The nostalgia boom has led to a resurgence of interest in all things modern as well, with people seeking to emulate the cool, calm, collected driving style of modern racers like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. The likes of which we’ll be seeing at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.
These are nostalgic times, and not just for cars. As well as celebrating the golden era of motorsport, fans of the vintage past can also look forward to the revival of steam to accompany the return of the Australian Grand Prix to Albert Park — with the capacity crowd expected to roar their engines once more.
So, while you’re waiting for the race to begin, pour yourself a glass of wine, re-live the excitement of the sixties, and get ready to salute the brave men and women who made that era so special.