Winton Motor Raceway – Victoria Supercars and Club Racing Guide
Originally published May 2017. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy narrative and images.
Winton Motor Raceway near Benalla in north-east Victoria is one of Australia’s oldest permanent circuits — opened on 26 November 1961 and still a staple of the Repco Supercars calendar. The local auto club planned the venue from 1957; twelve months of construction produced a track that quickly became a Victorian hub for Formula Junior, touring cars, and later V8 Supercars.
Legends including Peter Brock, Alan Jones, and Allan Moffat raced here in formative seasons. Formula 1 champion James Hunt even appeared in Formula 5000 events. Dick Johnson famously likened the layout to “running a marathon around your clothesline” — tight bends linked by short straights that reward momentum and patience.
Compare Winton with Sandown Raceway, Symmons Plains Raceway, and Mount Panorama Bathurst for other Australian touring-car temples.
Contents
Winton Motor Raceway facts
| Location | Winton, Victoria, Australia (near Benalla, north-east Victoria) |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Permanent race circuit |
| Opened | 26 November 1961 |
| National circuit | About 3.0 km, 12 turns |
| Club circuit | About 2.03 km, 11 turns (original layout) |
| Main event | Winton SuperSprint (Repco Supercars Championship) |
| Notable lap reference | 1:14.3401 — Christopher Anthony (Dallara F311, 2016 Formula 3) |
| Operator | Winton Motor Club / Winton Raceway |
Lap record note: Formula 3, Supercars, and motorcycle categories use different tyres and power levels. Compare published times only within the same class and layout configuration.
Winton Motor Raceway, 2015 Festival of Speed
1961 opening and Victorian racing hub
The local auto club formed in 1957 and soon planned a permanent track. Works announced in 1960 finished a year later; Barry Stilo won the opening race on 26 November 1961.
The circuit instantly attracted racers and spectators. The Victorian Formula Junior Championship and Neptune Touring Car Series became regular fixtures. Formula 5000 rounds brought international stars including James Hunt.
Modernisation, 2016 resurfacing, and arson rebuild
Winton hosted its first Australian Touring Car Championship round in 1985 — the series that became V8 Supercars and today’s Repco Supercars. Upgrades followed: new asphalt, pit lane and garages, widened sections, and re-profiled turns on the extended National layout.
The track was completely resurfaced in 2016. A new race control tower replaced the previous building after arson destroyed the old structure in 2000.
Track completely resurfaced in 2016
National and Club configurations
Winton runs two layouts. The National circuit measures about 3 km with 12 turns; the shorter Club circuit retains the original 2.03 km, 11-turn course. The main grandstand sits on the hill between turns 2 and 3 with panoramic views. Medical and media facilities meet national championship standards.
Map: Winton Motor Raceway track layout
Fast straights feed into tight, technical bends — a combination that punishes mistakes and rewards consistent rhythm.
Winton SuperSprint
The Winton SuperSprint remains one of the best-attended Repco Supercars rounds. The event anchors the Victorian winter calendar and often produces close battles because overtaking opportunities appear in braking zones rather than on endless straights.
Supercars Championship Super Sprint is the main event
Cars, bikes, historics, and corporate hire
Beyond Supercars, Winton hosts national and state car and superbike championships, historics, and regular track days and test-and-tune sessions — the circuit operates seven days a week for approved activities. The corporate centre can be hired independently for meetings and events.
Events at Winton Motor Raceway are always well visited
Melbourne, Albury, and on-site camping
Winton lies in north-east Victoria near Benalla. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is about 200 km south; Albury Airport handles domestic flights roughly 110 km away. Accommodation ranges from Benalla hotels to the popular on-site campground with bar and kiosk.
Will Davison onboard lap
Frequently asked questions about Winton Motor Raceway
Where is Winton Motor Raceway?
Winton Motor Raceway is near Benalla in north-east Victoria, Australia, at 41 Fox Street, Winton VIC 3673.
When did Winton Motor Raceway open?
The circuit opened on 26 November 1961 after about twelve months of construction led by the local auto club.
How long is Winton Motor Raceway?
The National circuit is about 3.0 km with 12 turns. The shorter Club circuit is about 2.03 km with 11 turns.
What is the main event at Winton?
The Winton SuperSprint is the headline Repco Supercars Championship round — one of the most popular and well-attended stops on the Australian touring-car calendar.
What is the lap record at Winton?
Christopher Anthony set 1:14.3401 in a Dallara F311 during a 2016 Formula 3 race on the National layout. Supercars and bike records use different categories.
Did Peter Brock race at Winton?
Yes. Peter Brock raced at Winton in early career seasons alongside Alan Jones and Allan Moffat.
When was Winton resurfaced?
The circuit was completely resurfaced in 2016, part of decades of pit, safety, and layout upgrades since the 1985 ATCC debut.
How do I get to Winton from Melbourne?
Most visitors drive from Melbourne (about 200 km) or fly domestically to Albury (about 110 km from the circuit).
Can the public drive at Winton?
Winton runs track days, test-and-tune sessions, and historics on approved days — check wintonraceway.com.au for the calendar.
Which Australian circuits compare with Winton?
See Sandown, Symmons Plains, and Bathurst for other Supercars-era permanent tracks.
Related reading
- Sandown Raceway — Melbourne endurance home
- Symmons Plains Raceway — Tasmania SuperSprint
- Mount Panorama Bathurst — Australia’s Great Race
- The Bend Motorsport Park — South Australia
- Barbagallo Raceway — Western Australia
Address: 41 Fox Street, Winton VIC 3673, Australia
Phone: +61 3 5760 7100
Website: wintonraceway.com.au
Photo credits: facebook.com/wintonraceway, wintonraceway.com.au