1948 Australian Grand Prix

The 1948 Australian Grand Prix was a motor race held at the Point Cook Aerodrome,[1] a Royal Australian Air Force base at Point Cook, just outside Melbourne in Victoria, Australia on Australia Day, 26 January 1948. It was staged over 42 laps of a 3.85 kilometre circuit utilizing the runways and service roads of the base.[2] The total race distance was 162 kilometres. The race was organised by the Light Car Club of Australia and was sanctioned by the Australian Automobile Association.[3]

1948 Australian Grand Prix
Formula Libre handicap race
Race details
Date	26 January 1948
Location	Point Cook, Victoria
Course	Airfield circuit
Course length	3.85 km (2.4 miles)
Distance	42 laps, 100.8 km (162.19 miles)
Weather	Sunny
Fastest lap
Driver	Alf Barrett	Alfa Romeo
Time	1'48
Podium
First	Frank Pratt	BMW
Second	Alf Najar	MG
Third	Dick Bland	Reed-Ford

The race was the thirteenth Australian Grand Prix and the first not to be held on a public road circuit. It was staged as a handicap event with the first car starting 18 minutes before the last.[4] Conditions were oppressive, with the temperature topping 100 °F (38 °C) by mid-morning, along with hot winds buffeting the exposed pits on the start/finish straight.[5] The overpowering heat, plus the bumpy concrete-slab surface of the runways, took a heavy toll on the competing cars. As well as mechanical retirements, several drivers had to retire due to heat exhaustion.[5]

Prominent motorcycle racer Frank Pratt won the race driving a BMW 328. Alf Najar finished second driving an MG TB Special with Dick Bland placed third in a George Reed constructed Ford V8 special. Bland was also awarded the prize for setting the fastest time.[6]