Len Lukey

Lukey made his motor sport debut in 1953[1] at the wheel of Ford Mainline Utility.[2] After such vehicles were ruled ineligible, he moved on to racing Ford Customlines, winning the main saloon car race at the Albert Park Circuit in March 1957.[1]

In October 1956 Lukey purchased a Cooper T23 Bristol which he first raced in the 1956 Australian Grand Prix meeting, finishing ninth in the main event.[3] The following year Lukey used the car at Coonabarabran to establish a new Category E Australian National Speed record of 147.4 mph for the flying kilometre.[3]

Lukey acquired a Cooper T45 from Jack Brabham in early 1959 [3] and embarked upon a concerted campaign to win the 1959 Australian Drivers' Championship.[1] He won the title by 2 points, securing the championship at the twelfth and final race of the series.[1] His last race was the 1960 New Zealand Grand Prix after which he retired from active participation at the age of 38.[1]

In 1964 Lukey purchased the property which included what is now the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria for $40,000. Following extensive repairs, the circuit was reopened in 1967 and ownership was retained by Lukey's estate until 1984.[4]

Lukey died in 1978. Turn 9 on the Phillip Island circuit is named Lukey Heights in his memory.[4]