Calder Park

Bob Jane’s vision. That’s the driving force behind Calder Park. It all began in the 1950s with two blokes, Pat Hawthorn and Jim Houlahan. They yearned for a place to race their FJ Holdens. This led to a dirt track carved into a paddock at Diggers Rest, the humble beginnings of Calder Park. Fast forward to 1962, and that dirt track transformed into asphalt. The Australian Motor Sports Club hosted the inaugural meeting. Among the competitors were names like Bob Jane, Norm Beechey, and Peter Manton. Calder Park flourished under Jim Pascoe’s management. It became Victoria’s premier racing venue. Tragedy struck with Pascoe’s death in 1969. Bob Jane, a successful racer and tire tycoon, purchased Calder Park in 1974. He had a grand vision for the park. Jane’s ambition brought the Australian Grand Prix to Calder from 1980 to 1984. Legends like Alan Jones, Alain Prost, and Niki Lauda graced the track. In 1982, Calder Park became the Melbourne International Raceway. The track underwent its first major redesign in 1984. New esses and a longer pit lane were added. Then came the Thunderdome, a 1.801 km high-banked oval inspired by Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was a bold move, costing A$54 million. The Thunderdome hosted its first race in 1987. This combined the oval with the road course. John Bowe and Terry Shiel emerged victorious in their Nissan Skyline. The World Touring Car Championship also visited Calder Park that year, with Steve Soper and Pierre Dieudonné winning in a Ford Sierra. 1988 was a pivotal year for Calder Park. It hosted the first NASCAR-sanctioned race outside North America, the Goodyear NASCAR 500. Neil Bonnett won the thrilling race. The local AUSCAR series, featuring right-hand drive Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores, also raced on the Thunderdome. Brad Jones became the dominant force in AUSCAR, winning five consecutive championships. The late 1990s saw the decline of NASCAR and AUSCAR at Calder Park. V8 Supercars returned to the track. The Thunderdome’s last race was in 1999. A family feud between Bob and Rodney Jane led to a change in ownership and a shift in focus. Calder Park hosted its final V8 Supercars event in 2001. The track fell silent, but its spirit didn’t die. Recent efforts have brought racing back to Calder Park. The roar of engines once again echoes through the grounds, a testament to the enduring legacy of Bob Jane’s dream.