1936 Benalla Centenary Race


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. The 100-mile race, which was organised by the Victorian Sporting Car Club, was open to cars of 'all powers'. It was contested on a handicap basis with the 'Limit Man', J O’Dea, given a 20-minute start on the 'Scratch Man', Jack Day. The race, which was organised to celebrate the centenary of the town of Benalla, was claimed to be the first road race to be contested on the Victorian mainland.
B Dentry, was flagged in as the winner of the race but rechecks after protests had been lodged saw the victory awarded to Les Murphy. Further checks conducted overnight resulted in Vin Maloney being declared the winner from Dentry and Murphy.

Race results

PositionDriverNo.CarEntrantRace timeLaps
1Vin MaloneyMG Magna1:47:2740
2B DentryRiley Special1:44:1140
3Les MurphyMG P-typeW Brown1:53:2440
4Bob Lea-WrightTerraplane1:39:1440
5J O'DeaMG
?G MartinMG Magna
?L AllenSinger
?W HopeSinger
?M WrefordRiley Imp
?C KeeferRiley Imp
?L JacksonRiley Imp
?B TinckhamBugatti
?Harry BeithTerraplane
?K LattyFord V8
?J PhillipsFord V8
DNFA RoseboroughChrysler
DNFJack DayDay Special22
DNFH ReeveMG Magna18

Notes:
  • Attendance: More than 20,000
  • Total race distance: 40 laps, 100 miles
  • Number of starters: 18
  • Winner's race time: 1:47:27
  • Fastest time: Bob Lea-Wright, 1:39:14
  • Fastest lap: Jack Day, 2:19, 65 mph