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Racing Excitement in the 1920s + 30's

The excitememnt of racing machines gripped Australia in the 1920’s. Technology was advancing at a rapid pace, and British and American brands were rapidly expanding into the Australian market. One such brand was B.S.A. (the ‘Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd’ – started in 1861 as a gun maker!) They were stocked in Melbourne by the Finlay Bros. store at 322 Elizabeth Street. 

Racing in Victoria had been happening on public roads, for example a long distance timed race was set from Warnambool to Melbourne. However, there was public opposition – it was a little dangerous! – and other optuions were brought forward. When the members of the Victorian Motorcycle Club met on the 14th Feb 1928, it was decided to begin the arrangements for a ‘Tourist Torphy’ to be held on Phillip Island that easter. The authorities there were keen for visitors, and able to close off roads for the race.  They were keen to create a race like the famous Isle of Man ‘Tourist Trophy’ – bearing in mind, this was all about motorcyles. However, shortly afterwards it’s the ‘L.C.C.’ – the Light Car Club – that takes the lead, after being invited on board by the Motorcycle Club. As a result, the 1928 Australian TT races took place over Easter as planned, with the Light Car Club having their races the week before the Mortorcyle Club. 

The cars ran a 100-mile road race, and this has now come to be regarded as Australia’s ‘First Grand Prix’.

Alex Finlay, of the Finlay Bros. dealership, was one of 30 entrants onto this premier evest, riding a BSA which had ‘just been unboxed’, ie was brand new. He had a terrific ride, completing the 200 miles in 4 hours, 3 minutes, 14 seconds…. 11 minutes ahead of the next rider. Amazingly, he went on to compete the next day in the side-car race – carrying a passeneger – and won that also.  The final day was the TT 100-mile race, and he was set to take first place in all 3 – until a flat tyre in the last lap dashed his hopes!  Just a few weeks later, he was on the road to Sydney, and set a new record for the trip… and a week later, he was in Brisbaine, acting as pace-rider in a car race. He certainly loved to hit the open road on his B.S.A…. and it was all terrific publicity for the family business! 

This 1928 article has all the excitement of the race in detail – and underlined in red is the ‘Shell Cup’ he recieved, the large silver-plate cup being sold by Moorabool Auctions on November 2nd, 2024. 

This very large silvepale trophy is pretty self explanitary – it’s the SHELL CUP refered to in the 1928 ‘Sporting Globe’ cutting. 

Phillip Island lost the Grand Prix race in 1936, when the cars went to Victor Harbour in S.A. . The motorcycles continued on the same circuit until 1940, during WWII, and then they also discontinued. 16 years later, a new circut was custom built south west of Cowes – this is the world-class pressent day Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.