The Geelong Speed Trials, since inception in 1956, have been conducted by a group of volunteer based motor racing enthusiasts.

The event was conceived by Murray Rainey, then a prominent member of the Western District Car Club and Geelong’s automotive industry, as a means for promoting Geelong and offering the local community a chance to see some of Australia's top motor sport identities competing in the most powerful and exotic sports and sports/racing cars of the day.

The Speed Trials were modelled on the famous Brighton Speed Trials in the United Kingdom. These originated in 1907. The venue and picnic atmosphere of the Trials has been an attraction in itself. The course takes in the Edwardian setting surrounding Ritchie Boulevard (Geelong's roadway access to Eastern Beach) and part of Eastern Beach Road.

For the spectators, the track is lined on one side by terraced lawns that form a natural grandstand. This gives an excellent view of the day's competition with spectacular views over the historic Eastern Beach waterfront precinct, picturesque Corio Bay and the distant Melbourne skyline.

In 1978, the Vintage Sports Car Club of Victoria re-launched the event and since then the Speed Trials appeal has become increasingly more nostalgia based, demonstrated by the ongoing participation, by both competitors and spectators, who enjoy historic motor sport and generally things ancient.

Over recent years, competitors have included a significant number of international and national motor racing identities. These include Sir Jack Brabham, Stirling Moss, Lex Davison, Tony Gaze, Bob Jane, Bib Stillwell, Norm Beechey, Doug Whiteford, Jim McKeown, John Harvey, Darcy Russell, Dick Johnson, Win Percy, Jim Richards, Glenn Seton, Craig Lowndes, Formula One Champion Mika Hakkinen, Johnny Herbert, Pedro Lamy, Stan Jones and his son Alan. Alan Jones, the World Driver's Champion of 1980, launched his motor racing career at the 1964 Geelong Speed Trials.

The Speed Trials have evolved into an extremely successful event, with capacity attendances in recent years exceeding 30,000 spectators.

The Geelong Speed Trials are unique. Since inception, they have been conducted at Geelong's world class Ritchie Boulevard/Eastern Beach road site. The Eastern Beach facility has become one of the country's most significant and highly revered heritage motor sporting venues.

The Speed Trials traditionally attracts a unique and well-behaved crowd who have a keen interest in the demonstration and preservation of our motor sporting heritage. This makes for an excellent family day atmosphere.

The Geelong Speed Trials is the largest historic motor sporting event of its type in the country.

The Speed Trials are Apex's major fundraising activity. Apex disburses all Speed Trials proceeds (typically in excess of $20,000/event) on community projects.

The community continues to enjoy the benefits that the Geelong Speed Trials brings to the region, including the profile the event enjoys both nationally and internationally, the economic benefits derived form the influx of tourists into the region, a source of community entertainment and an activity that generates significant amounts of funding for community projects.

Patron of the Geelong Speed Trials is Lindsay Fox, A.O. Previous patrons have been Frank Hallam and Bib Stillwell.

Geelong has something special and unique in its Speed Trials that no other city in the country has.
Recognition for the trials is now world wide, with coverage in international magazines and television programs.

We are indebted to The City Of Greater Geelong, FORD and those sponsors whose contributions enable the event to take place each year. We are also indebted to the support given by the local media.