1931 Australian Grand Prix

The 1931 Australian Grand Prix was a motor race held at the Phillip Island Circuit in Victoria, Australia on 23 March 1931.[1] The race, which was the fourth Australian Grand Prix and the fourth to be held at Phillip Island, had 19 entries[1] and 14 starters.[2] It was organised by the Victorian Light Car Club.[1]

The race was staged using a handicap format with the first car starting 35 minutes before the two "Scratch" cars.[1] Prize money was paid for both handicap and overall results[1] with the principle prize of £100 awarded to the fastest car to complete the distance.[3]

Carl Junker was awarded the Grand Prix win,[4] having set the fastest time driving a Bugatti Type 39.[1] The Handicap Section was won by Cyril Dickason,[4] driving an Austin 7.[1]

Classes

Car competed in four classes:[5]

  • A – 850cc[5]
  • B – 1100cc[5]
  • C – 1500cc[5]
  • D – 2000cc[5]

Classification
Carl Junker set fastest time and was awarded the Grand Prix win, driving a Bugatti Type 39
Cyril Dickason (Austin 7) recorded second fastest time and won the Handicap award
Harold Drake-Richmond (Bugatti Type 37) set the third fastest race time
Pos[6] No.[1] Class[1] Driver[6] Car[6] Laps[6] Time[6] /
Reason for ret.		 Handicap (mins)[1] Handicap Pos.[6]
1 16 C Carl Junker Bugatti Type 39 31 2h 54m 50s 10 2
2 1 A Cyril Dickason Austin 7 Ulster s/c[1] 31 3h 02m 24s 30 1
3 12 C Harold Drake-Richmond Bugatti Type 37 31 3h 03m 19s 10 3
4 10 B Barney Dentry Riley Brooklands 31 3h 09m 39s 11 4
5 13 B Joan Richmond Riley Nine 31 3h 34m 00s 22 6
6 3 A Cec Warren Austin 7 Ulster[1] 31 3h 35m 21s 35 5
Ret 15 C Hope Bartlett Bugatti Type 37A s/c[1] 29 Engine[3] Scratch
Ret 19 D Les Jennings Morris Oxford 28 Connecting rod[7] 22
Ret 2 A Clarrie May Austin 7 s/c[1] 18 30
Ret 4 A Ian Russell Morris Minor 15 Engine[7] 32
Ret 20 D Jack Clements Bugatti Type 30 14 Crankshaft[3] 9
Ret 18 D Jack Sidebottom Singer 12 24
Ret 14 C Arthur Terdich Bugatti Type 37A s/c[1] 8 Connecting rod[3] Scratch
Ret[8] 9 B Bill Lowe[1] Lombard AL.3 s/c[9] 0[8] Gearbox[8] 11
DNS[1] 5 A Eric Armstrong[1] Triumph s/c[1] – 29
DNS[1] 6 B Alan Chamberlain[1] Chamberlain[1] – 23

Notes
  • Weather: Fine & mild[1]
  • Race time limit: 4¼ hours from the commencement of the race, i.e., from the first car to start[10]
  • Fastest lap: Hope Bartlett – 4'45.00 (79.90 mph)[1]
  • Average speed of winning car: 69.87 mph[1]

References
  1. John B. Blanden, A History of Australian Grand Prix 1928–1939, pages 59–73
  2. The Official History of the Australian Grand Prix 80 Races 1927–2014, page 51 lists 13 competitors by name but does not mention Bill Lowe. Lowe is however mentioned as a retirement during the first lap of the race in the article in The Argus, Tuesday, 24 March 1931, page 8
  3. The Official 50-race history of the Australian Grand Prix, 1986, pages 44–50
  4. The Australian Grand Prix 1931 - Carl Junker Wins Race - Fastest and Record Time, The Car (magazine of the Victorian Light Car Club), April 15, 1931, pages Three to Seven
  5. Australian Grand Prix, West Australian, Thursday, 12 February 1931, page 4
  6. The Official History of the Australian Grand Prix 80 Races 1927–2014, page 51
  7. Australian Grand Prix, Northern Argus, Friday, 10 April 1931, page 4
  8. Australian Grand Prix. The Argus, Tuesday, 24 March 1931, page 8
  9. John B. Blanden, Historic Racing Cars in Australia, 1979, page 191
  10. John B. Blanden, A History of Australian Grand Prix 1928–1939, page 62
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