The 1936 Benalla Centenary Race was a motor race staged at the Benalla Circuit at Benalla in Victoria, Australia on Easter Monday, 13 April 1936.[1] The 100-mile race, which was organised by the Victorian Sporting Car Club, was open to cars of ‘all powers’.[2] It was contested on a handicap basis with the ‘Limit Man’, J O’Dea (MG), given a 20-minute start on the ‘Scratch Man’, Jack Day (Day Special”).[3] The race, which was organised to celebrate the centenary of the town of Benalla,[4] was claimed to be the first road race to be contested on the Victorian mainland.[5]
B Dentry (Riley Special), was flagged in as the winner of the race but rechecks after protests had been lodged saw the victory awarded to Les Murphy (MG P-type).[2] Further checks conducted overnight resulted in Vin Maloney (MG Magna) being declared the winner from Dentry and Murphy.[6]
. . . 1936 Benalla Centenary Race . . .
Notes:
- Attendance: More than 20,000 [6]
- Total race distance: 40 laps, 100 miles [2] (160 km)
- Number of starters: 18 [2]
- Winner’s race time: 1:47:27 [6]
- Fastest time: Bob Lea-Wright (Terraplane), 1:39:14[6]
- Fastest lap: Jack Day (Day Special), 2:19, 65 mph [2]
. . . 1936 Benalla Centenary Race . . .