Historic goal in sight for iconic Tasmanian track

Becher Townshend’s BMW at Baskerville

The long held goal of the Baskerville Foundation will become a reality this weekend as the Foundation closes in on the $900,000 needed to finalise the restoration and resurfacing of the iconic Pepsi Max Baskerville Raceway.

Raising $730,000 to date, around 5000 spectators are needed to attend the Foundation’s biggest yearly fundraiser, the Baskerville Historics, to achieve the target.

Baskerville Foundation Chairman Peter Killick said it has been a long but extremely worthwhile project.

“We started the foundation in 2013 with the aim of raising the funds need to restore the track within four years,” said Mr Killick.

“Along the way we have also raised the money for smaller projects such as the redevelopment of the control tower and more recently, the restoration of the footbridge.

“Motor racing has been a big part of Tasmania’s history and local race meets throughout the 1970s and 80s were a popular family affair.

“Restoring the track will preserve those memories and provide future Tasmanian drivers and riders with a first class facility at which to practice.

“Tasmania has produced several successful motorsport drivers across multiple formats, most notably Marcus Ambrose, John Bowe, Garth Wigston and more recently Alex Peroni.

“The restoration of the track will provide generations to come the opportunity to pursue a career in motorsport.”

With over 220 entries, 13 class categories and 51 races, this weekend’s Baskerville Historics is set to be the biggest in the event’s history.

The two day event will feature some of the cars driven by motor racing legends including a Sir Jack Brabham FJ 1 and Peter Brock’s 1974 Torana.

Mr Killick said the weekend is ideal for those wanting to indulge in the supercars of the past.

“Historic racing is for cars and bikes built before 1984, so you get a lot of people who come out once a year for this race meeting,” he said.

“It’s their chance to put their old car on the track and relive some of the memories of yesteryear.

“The historics weekend is always an enjoyable weekend and raises vital funds for the Baskerville Foundation, which go towards ensuring the long term future of this iconic racetrack.”

Mr Killick said the Baskerville Historics is the largest local race meeting in southern Tasmania.

“This is our seventh year running the Baskerville Historics and it is growing by 10 or 15 per cent each year,” he said.

“We have entrants coming from all over Australia just to participate in the weekend.”

The Baskerville Historics runs from Saturday, 1 October to Sunday, 2 October at Baskerville Raceway, Old Beach.

Racing starts at 12:30pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.

Entry into the event is $20 and free for children under 14.
Baskerville Foundation Chairman Peter Killick