This World War II airfield held the first post-war motor race held in Australia – the 1946 Victory Grand Prix. Caversham was still operated by the Royal Australian Air Force at that time, but the Western Australia Sporting Car Club secured its lease in 1956 and converted it into a permanent race circuit. The “D” circuit was used for the non-championship Australian Grand Prix in 1957 and 1962, which comprised the wide main runway and “tricky” eastern service roads. In 1957, the recently resurfaced track broke up in the extreme heat, the temporary pits twice blew down on the practice day and there was confusion at the finish. Stan Jones was adjudged to have beaten Lex Davison/Bill Patterson, but the positions were reversed three days later. Bruce McLaren’s Cooper-Climax led from start-to-finish in 1962, withstanding Jack Brabham’s pressure until the double world champion crashed. The Le Mans 6-hour sports car race was held at Caversham from 1955 until the Department of Defence reclaimed the facility as a radio centre in 1968 and all racing activity moved to Wanneroo Park. The alternate Triangle circuit used the airfield’s three runways.
