The GPCOA
Formula One's opening round for the past ten years, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, was a great scene-setter; the ideal place for the sport to decamp after a five-month long European winter, and bleak days enlivened only by the speculation surrounding non-stop testing programmes.
Albert Park, situated virtually slap-bang centre between Melbourne's skyscrapers and Port Phillip Bay, deservedly attracted great crowds, who, in addition to seeing Formula One's opening race - seldom a procession due to the nature of the high-speed street circuit made up of the public park's better access roads - enjoyed a real feast of 'Down Under' motor racing.
Events for Formula Fords and other single seater categories, Australian Porsche series races, celebrity cups, stunts and the biggest daddy of them all - Australian Supercars - ensured that the crowd entertainment factor was up there with the best.