Top honours for Australia's racing icon, Alan Jones
Perth Speed Fest star, Australia’s only living Formula One champion, Alan Jones has received one of international motorsport’s most prestigious honours for lifetime achievement to the sport.
Last night in London, the world’s motorsport elite gathered at Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane for the annual Autosport Magazine Awards, where Jones was presented with the Gregor Grant Award for his lifetime contribution to motorsport.
Considered one of motoring’s highest honours for racing veterans, the Gregor Grant Award was named after the founder and editor of Autosport Magazine.
A collection of his career highlights was screened to a 1,200-strong audience, before Jones was presented with his award by fellow Australian F1 star Mark Webber.
“I'm extremely honoured to be here to receive this, because I know there have been some very famous people who have won this award," Jones said.
"All Aussies have it tough making it. Geographically, we're disadvantaged.
"Making the decision to leave Australia and come to the other side of the world shows you're fair dinkum about things."
Jones’ fleeting London visit comes only days ahead of his trip to WA for Perth Speed Fest this weekend, Sunday 13 December 2015, at Perth Motorplex. He joins an impressive list of motorsport talent including F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, the only Australian on the MotoGP grid Jack Miller, 2014 Australasian Superbike champion Wayne Maxwell, V8 Supercar drivers and brothers Will and Alex Davison, V8 ute racer James Brock, world-renowned Freestyle Motocross (FMX) rider Josh Sheehan and motorsport broadcaster Greg Rust.
“I love coming to Perth as it is so beautiful,” he said. “It will be great to catch up with old friends and to be able to see such a variety of cars up close and personal.”
Fans at Perth Speed Fest can witness another historic moment for Jones, when he drives his father’s famous racing car, the Maybach III, that’s owned by Peter Briggs of the York Motor Museum.
Third and last of the famous racing specials originally raced by his father Stan, the car is the result of a rebuild of Maybach II following damage it suffered in a major crash in the Australian Grand Prix in 1954.
Still using the original Maybach engine from a captured World War II German vehicle, the car continued to be raced in events around Australia until the engine expired when running second to Reg Hunt's 250F Maserati. It was replaced with a Chevrolet Corvette engine in 1957 and the car was again competitive, placing second to Lex Davidson's Ferrari in the 1958 Australian Grand Prix.
Perth Speed Fest will be held on 13 December at Perth Motorplex and consist of 60 separate events showcasing more than 25 disciplines of motorsport on five customised track layouts.
For a schedule of events, more on each of the motorsport stars, maps, information, and tickets, visit www.perthspeedfest.com.
Perth Speed Fest star, Australia’s only living Formula One champion, Alan Jones has received one of international motorsport’s most prestigious honours for lifetime achievement to the sport.
Last night in London, the world’s motorsport elite gathered at Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane for the annual Autosport Magazine Awards, where Jones was presented with the Gregor Grant Award for his lifetime contribution to motorsport.
Considered one of motoring’s highest honours for racing veterans, the Gregor Grant Award was named after the founder and editor of Autosport Magazine.
A collection of his career highlights was screened to a 1,200-strong audience, before Jones was presented with his award by fellow Australian F1 star Mark Webber.
“I'm extremely honoured to be here to receive this, because I know there have been some very famous people who have won this award," Jones said.
"All Aussies have it tough making it. Geographically, we're disadvantaged.
"Making the decision to leave Australia and come to the other side of the world shows you're fair dinkum about things."
Jones’ fleeting London visit comes only days ahead of his trip to WA for Perth Speed Fest this weekend, Sunday 13 December 2015, at Perth Motorplex. He joins an impressive list of motorsport talent including F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, the only Australian on the MotoGP grid Jack Miller, 2014 Australasian Superbike champion Wayne Maxwell, V8 Supercar drivers and brothers Will and Alex Davison, V8 ute racer James Brock, world-renowned Freestyle Motocross (FMX) rider Josh Sheehan and motorsport broadcaster Greg Rust.
“I love coming to Perth as it is so beautiful,” he said. “It will be great to catch up with old friends and to be able to see such a variety of cars up close and personal.”
Fans at Perth Speed Fest can witness another historic moment for Jones, when he drives his father’s famous racing car, the Maybach III, that’s owned by Peter Briggs of the York Motor Museum.
Third and last of the famous racing specials originally raced by his father Stan, the car is the result of a rebuild of Maybach II following damage it suffered in a major crash in the Australian Grand Prix in 1954.
Still using the original Maybach engine from a captured World War II German vehicle, the car continued to be raced in events around Australia until the engine expired when running second to Reg Hunt's 250F Maserati. It was replaced with a Chevrolet Corvette engine in 1957 and the car was again competitive, placing second to Lex Davidson's Ferrari in the 1958 Australian Grand Prix.
Perth Speed Fest will be held on 13 December at Perth Motorplex and consist of 60 separate events showcasing more than 25 disciplines of motorsport on five customised track layouts.
For a schedule of events, more on each of the motorsport stars, maps, information, and tickets, visit www.perthspeedfest.com.
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