Currently holding regular events for V8 Supercars and Superbikes, Phillip Island Circuits’ roots go all the way back to 1928 when it was a dust track and was some 16km in length, although not at its current location.

The current 4.5 km circuit has had many ups and downs, a bit like its elevation changes, with land maintenance and financial woes besetting what could have been a fine history. Several closures and re-openings later, the World Motorcycling Championship finally brought some stability to the circuit in 1989.

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By Phil Clark

Part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport (along with the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500) this 13.6km long circuit uses public roads and dedicated circuit sections to deliver a heady cocktail of speed and atmosphere for the annual 24 Hour Sportscar race.

Ever since the opening in 1921, the Mulsanne Straight has been a ‘top gun’ feature of the circuit at 5 km in length. After speeds reached 400 km/h in 1990 a couple of chicanes were added to slow things up a bit. Also, Le Mans was home to one of the worst motor racing accidents in history, with a total of 80 spectators killed by Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes in 1955.

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By Phil Clark

Boasted as the Worlds Southern-most Circuit, Teretonga Park was built at Sandy Point in 1957. Its current 2.57 km configuration came into existence in 1966, and saw many great and famous drivers from that period take part in the Tasman series races there. The likes of Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren, Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and Denny Hulme were regulars during the F1 winter period.

The circuit has just commemorated its 50^th Anniversary.

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By Phil Clark

Definitely in the top five all time great circuits for most drivers, this track uses a combination of original roads and actual circuit surfaces. Originally a staggering 15 km long when it opened in 1925, it was reduced to the current 6.9 km circuit in 1979 for safety reasons after average speeds hit 240 km/h.

It is still a wonder to behold, especially as the weather always plays a role here, often raining in one section and being completely dry at another. Spa has appeared sporadically on F1 calendar, depending on whether Bernie gets his cash, but I hear a rumour that the facilities have now been upgraded. So make a point of watching the F1 race on TV, or drive round the public roads next time you are in Belgium.

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By Phil Clark

Just inland from the popular coastal tourist resort of Rimini, the Autodromo Santamonica (now Misano World Circuit) is a flat 3.36 km anti-clockwise circuit. It held a host of F2 and F3 races in the 70s and 80s before they got shipped to Imola.

Now it regularly features MotoGP, Superbikes and Euro truck racing.

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By Phil Clark

This 3.6 km track opened in 2003 with the support of Honda, Porsche and others, with a view to providing the area with facilities lacking at the Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).

However, with a barrage of complaints from nearby residents the authorities closed it down in 2004, which is surprising given the fact that there is a nearby military airbase. Local car and motorcycle clubs have launched an online petition to get it re-opened, let’s hope they succeed.

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By Phil Clark