Allan Tomlinson at Lobethal Circuit

Winner of the 1939 Australian Gran Prix Allan Tomlinson at Lobethal Circuit.

The Lobethal Circuit in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia was the track used for the 1939 Australian Grand Prix. It was the first time the Australian Grand Prix (one of the most important races in the national motorsport calendar) was raced on a sealed track rather than on dirt roads. The distance was 150 miles and the race was won by Allan Tomlinson in an MG TA, while another MG driver, Vern Leech, suffered a fatal crash in the race. The outbreak of the Second World War meant that no more Australian Grands Prix were held until 1947. The race became part of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1985.