Historic Event Celebrating the Spirit of Speed and Bravery in Goulburn, NSW – June 21st to the 23rd, 2024

The Organising Committee is proud to announce the centenary celebration of the first Motorcycle Grand Prix to be held in Goulburn.

This landmark event will be held over three days from June 21 to June 23, 2024, and will commemorate the historic race that occurred on the 23rd of June in 1924.

The highlight of the celebration will be an escorted, re-enactment ride along the original 80-kilometre course.

The original event, which was sanctioned as an official Grand Prix by the Auto Cycle Union of NSW, and organised by the Goulburn Motorcycle Club, took place on the 23rd of June 1924, on a bitterly cold winters day over a challenging 52 mile dirt road course that ran from the outskirts of Goulburn, to Windellama, across to Bungonia, and back along Mountain Ash Road to the start finish line.

Dave Brewster, also known as "Big Dave," achieved remarkable success in the 1924 Goulburn Motorcycle Senior Grand Prix and the All-Powers Handicap.

Big Dave triumphed riding an Indian Chief, completing the 4, 52 mile laps for a total of 208 miles in 4 hours, 4 minutes and 45 seconds.

Additionally, he secured second place in the O'Brien Side Car Scratch Race riding an Indian Chief.

Registered as No.2 with the Auto Cycle Union of NSW, Dave represented the Sydney Bicycle and Motorcycle Club Ltd. His storied racing career began in Victoria in 1917 and continued to flourish in NSW, where he clinched victories at Maroubra Hill Climb, Bathurst, Victoria Park, and Hartley.

Following his 1924 triumph, Dave continued to excel in races throughout the state, eventually transitioning from Indian to AJS motorcycles.

Join us for a landmark event in Goulburn, NSW, as we commemorate the historic race that took place on June 23, 1924. From June 21 to June 23, 2024, we will celebrate the spirit of speed and bravery with a three-day event, featuring an escorted re-enactment ride along the original 80-kilometre course. 

The highlight of the celebration will be a re-enactment ride along the original course, retracing the steps of the courageous riders of 1924.

Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience. The Australian Grand Prix Anniversary will also be raffling a brand-new Indian motorcycle.

Pictured –  "Big Dave"  Brewster- Winner of the first AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX TO BE HELD IN GOULBURN

Amazingly, the original course exists almost entirely and can be ridden today.

The Senior Grand Prix was won by Dave Brewster riding an Indian Chief, with T Benstead and R Preston coming in second and third respectively riding Harley Davidsons.

The three-day event is a collaborative effort between the Classic Riders Club of Goulburn, Goulburn Motorcycle Club, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, and the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce.

With their shared passion for motorcycle racing and commitment to preserving Goulburn’s rich motorsport heritage, these organisations have joined forces to create a truly unforgettable experience for enthusiasts and spectators alike. Bruce Tinsley, President of the Classic Riders Club of Goulburn, expressed his excitement for the event, saying, “The centenary celebration of the first Motorcycle Grand Prix to be held in Goulburn is a wonderful opportunity for all motorcycle racing enthusiasts and the public at large to see how it was done 100 years ago. It’s an opportunity to showcase the remarkable history of motorcycling in our region and to celebrate the timeless thrill of speed. We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion and look forward to welcoming riders and fans from around the world.”

The first Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix centenary promises to be an historic celebration of speed, heritage, and camaraderie. The re-enactment ride and the accompanying festivities will pay homage to the pioneers of Australian motorcycle racing while creating memories that will endure for
generations to come.

Goulburn is the true birthplace of Grand Prix racing in Australia, hosting not only the first Motorcycle Grand Prix to be sanctioned by the Auto Cycle Union in 1924, but also the first Car Grand Prix in 1927, and, the first Australian Motorcycle TT (Tourist Trophy) in 1914.