Longford community raises $50k for motor racing museum
A Tasmanian community auction raised more than $50,000 for a motor racing heritage museum.
About 120 people gathered in Longford on Saturday night for a cocktail evening and art auction aiming to raise at least $30,000 for a new motor racing museum. The event more than delivered on its goal.
Paintings donated by local artists Michael McWilliams and David Lake sold for $28,000 and $8,000 respectively. With ticket sales and donations, the night raised more than $50,000.
The Longford racing circuit, which operated between 1953 and 1968, attracted drivers and spectators from across Australia. A local collector, Rob Knott, has spent six decades gathering photographs, memorabilia and records from that era.
The museum committee wants to keep his collection in Longford rather than see it scattered, and needs $330,000 total by August 2027.
- $50,000
- Raised at auction
- About 120 people
- Attendees
- 1953 to 1968
- Circuit years
- 60 years
- Collection built over
Why it mattersSmall towns can lose their history when collections disperse. This auction shows what a community can achieve when locals and artists pull together.
AustraliaLongford's motorsport heritage will stay in Tasmania if the museum reaches its $330,000 goal, giving Tasmanians a place to experience the state's racing golden age.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 13 h ago
