More Info →Lynn Shepherd

Description

January 1956 saw the first race for the Levin Motor racing Club. After 18 months of discussion, permission was granted in 1955 and work commenced. This was to be the first permanent motor racing circuit in the dominion. Other races had been at venues such as aerodromes with the course being set up for the occasion and taken apart at the end of the meeting. The dummy grid, where the drivers lined in their start positions in the pits prior to going on to the circuit and a flag system , warning the drivers of possible danger, were developed following a flag marshal breaking his leg after being hit by a racing car. Both of these initiatives were developed in Levin and soon were used by other circuits.

The circuit was on the horse racing land inside the horse racing track. Entrance was from either Hokio Beach Road or Mako Mako Road, with the initial circuit measuring 0.9 mile in length.

The first race gathered interest form both local and international drivers of both cars and motorcycles and attracted a crown of 18,000. the spectators’ vehicles caused some consternation for the traffic department as the north and south main roads became congested. Extra parking was needed in paddocks in Mako Mako Road, Hokio Beach Road and also in the A & P showgrounds.

The circuit suffered greatly from that first race and needed resurfacing. There were financial problems within the club but a bank overdraft allowed the remodelling of the circuit to commence. There is some debate about how long the circuit became after the extension. The reports range from 1 mile initially up to 1.7 miles. The circuit was widened from 24 to 30 feet and the tract completely rejuvenated with the cost of the extension being 4,500 pounds.

Over the years there were 60 meeting held, with a minimum of three a year. Althought there were plenty of accidents, only one person was ever killed while racing. All the meetings except one had both cars and motorbikes competing. On that one occasion , the auto cycle union, who had jurisdiction over the motorbikes, did not give permission for the bikes because of a prior engagement. The union also provided the trophies for the motor cycle races.

Torphies competed for by the racing car drivers included the Levin Saloon Car Championship Cup, Zambucka Memorial Trophy, Bert Cotteral Memorial Trophy, Smith and Walding Trophy, Victor Hudson Memorial Trophy and the Brian Falloon Memorial Trophy.

The Levin circuit was not only used for motor racing. Sid Jensen set up a training school to encourage budding racing car drivers to improve their skills. The Police also used the circuit to train for driving skills and a tyre factory tested their tyres on it.

The circuit closed following the meeting in 1975 as Manfield circuit was by then operational. Drivers either loved or loathed the difficult tight Levin circuit.

References:
Murray Carkeet, Robin Collier and Laurie Jensen.
Ken Douglas and Chris Clarke for their expertise.
Scrapbook cuttings from the Chronicle 1956-1974 compiled by Murray Carkeek.
Motor Man February 1967.

Identification

Date

2006