The 2026 Canberra Festival of Speed will feature two legendary race cars that represent significant milestones in Australian motorsport history. The event, scheduled for the weekend of January 31 and February 1, 2026, will showcase the 1985 Lola-Hart THL1, driven by Australia’s most recent Formula 1 world champion, Alan Jones, during his 100th world championship start. Also on display will be the Holden Commodore in which Larry Perkins and co-driver Russell Ingall triumphed at the 1997 Bathurst 1000.
Taking place at Thoroughbred Park, this year’s festival is set to attract over 200 entries, continuing its reputation for celebrating rare and iconic vehicles. Event director Peter Bakavgas noted that the previous year’s festival saw more than 16,000 attendees, with visitors coming from across Australia, underlining its role as a significant tourism event for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The Lola-Hart THL1 holds a special place in history, as it marked Jones’s achievement at the inaugural Adelaide Grand Prix in 1985. Not only did this event commemorate his 100th start in Formula 1, but it also saw him become the first driver to complete a lap of the track. Despite his remarkable past, Jones remains Australia’s last Formula 1 world champion, having claimed the title in 1980. Currently, the attention turns to rising star Oscar Piastri, who is contending for the championship in the 2025 season.
Fans of the Bathurst 1000 will have the opportunity to see the Holden Commodore VS, which not only marked Perkins’s sixth win at Bathurst but was also notable for being the final win at The Mountain for both drivers. The 1997 race garnered significant media attention as it was the last for the celebrated Peter Brock, who started from pole position before experiencing engine failure.
Perkins has a storied history at Bathurst, having achieved three consecutive wins with Brock from 1982 to 1984, in addition to victories with the late Gregg Hansford in 1993 and with Ingall in 1995, all in Holden Commodores. Jones himself transitioned to V8 Supercars after his F1 career, competing at Mount Panorama in 1997, where he finished 11th alongside co-drivers Jason Bright and Scott Pruett.
The festival will also feature a collection of V8 Supercars, including the 2001 Ford Falcon AU driven by two-time Bathurst winner John Bowe during the Canberra 400 race. Bowe, who is also the festival’s official ambassador, will showcase his car in the distinctive Caterpillar colour scheme. Joining him will be another AU Falcon from Brad Jones Racing, known for its dramatic roll at the Adelaide Supercars event in 2000.
Tickets for the 2026 Canberra Festival of Speed are available for purchase via the event’s official website, offering enthusiasts a chance to experience a remarkable gathering of automotive history and racing culture.
