It was one of the largest events in Nowra's history and it took place 72-years-ago this week.

The Australian Sporting Car Club had traditionally conducted its championship event at Bathurst, but the old track had been banned by police.

The big event was embraced by the Nowra community and motor racing fans from far afield. The crowd estimated at 15,000 was said to be the largest ever to assemble in the district.

While traffic was said to be heavy the 22 police officers on duty had not trouble, although there were bottlenecks when most headed for home at the end of the day.

The track was praised by drivers who declared it to be very fast.

Not everyone was aware that the aerodrome had been turned over for the race however. While the cars were practicing on the Sunday, a Tiger Moth aircraft landed.

After being told by RAAF officials that the aerodrome was closed, it took off again and headed back to Sydney.

The oldest driver was 55-year-old local favourite Hope Bartlett who had been speed racing since 1923.

He won the first event of the day, the under 1500cc championship, after a tussle with his old friend Alf Najar.

Fans saw one up and coming driver who would become a big name in the sport. Victorian Bib Stillwell, aged 20, had been driving for little more than two years, but he showed potential in handling his MG Magna.

The major event was over 110 miles and the handicapping system saw the limit markers start 24 minutes before the man on scratch, Victorian Alf Barrett.

Some of his rivals had covered 20 miles before Barrett started his pursuit, but with his 2.3 litre Alfa Romeo reaching a top speed of 124 miles per hour, he soon made up ground.

A highlight came when the engines of five MGTCs roared down the straight in a line.

However in the end the winner was T. Lancer who completed the race in one hour 32 minutes and 20 seconds.

Two local organisations, along with Nowra Municipal Council, were involved in the event - the Returned Soldiers' League and the board of the still-to-be-built Shoalhaven Hospital.

They're been planning to fundraise on the day but ended up taking responsibility of catering. The problem was knowing how many people would attend and in the end the two bodies made their own arrangements.

The hospital board had its ladies' auxiliaries canvas local businesses and they estimated they could get 125 double loaves of bread, 100 dozed bread rolls and 200 dozen pies. Bakeries from Nowra, Huskisson and Tomerong were involved.

Joe Hollands operated a hot water stand in the car park area, and water was supplied by council's 600-gallon tank that was mounted on a lorry.

A dance was held in the evening, raising 20 pounds. For all their hard work the two charities each cleared about 75 pounds ($137).

Information provided by Shoalhaven Historical Society.