A look back at the famed celebrity race and why it was ultimatley scrapped from the Grand Prix

Drama, rivalry, spin-outs — the celebrity race had it all. Just a few years ago, local stars had the chance to get behind the wheel at the Grand Prix. So, what went wrong?

Anthony Field and Livinia Nixon after the Celebrity Race in 2005.

With the F1 carnival burning rubber in Melbourne this week, all eyes will be on the global stars of the sport such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.

But just a few years ago the F1 aces used to share the spotlight at Albert Park with a motley crew of local stars who would live their motorsport dream by getting behind the wheel in the famed celebrity Grand Challenge.

Eddie McGuire after the race in 2005.

The Celebrity Challenge had it all; drama, prangs, spin outs, occasional festering rivalry, surprise overseas participants and even an international love affair.

Former AFL player and TV personality Dermott Brereton wins the celebrity race at Albert Park prior in 1999.

Catriona Rowntree crashes into Michelle Hawkes during the ‘01 race.

TV presenter Lavinia Nixon getting out of smashed celebrity race car in 1998.

Getting a seat in the race was a highly sought after honour. Finishing the race with your car in one piece was an even bigger achievement.

The event took place at Albert Park as a key part of the Australian Grand Prix’s schedule of entertainment with the likes of Jeff Kennett, Megan Gale, Lauren Phillips, Daniel MacPherson, Rose Ruby, Stephen Bradbury, Mark Philippoussis, Luke Darcy, Brian McFadden, Nathan Buckley, Catriona Rowntree, Suzie Wilks, Natalie Imbruglia, Anthony Mundine, Livinia Nixon, Lauren Newton, Kristy Hinze, James Tomkins, Tara Moss, Eddie McGuire, Dermott Brereton and Damien Oliver flooring it.

Jacques Villeneuve and US Supercross champion Carey Hart.

Megan Gale for the celebrity race in 2003.

Freestyle motocross rider Carey Hart, whose wife is US superstar Pink, drove in the race in 2006. Westlife singer Brian McFadden donned his racing gear in 2011 and the world’s first male supermodel Marcus Schenkenberg was a sensation in 2007.

Schenkenberg unfortunately did not make it to the start line.

Supermodel Marcus Schenkenberg had to sit out of the Grand Prix celebrity race.

It turned out the fashion star was something of a hoon and he had to sit out the race for his reckless driving during training.

His enthusiasm behind the wheel had resulted in a wrecked car and 360-degree ‘doughnuts’ at the driver training ground at Sandown racecourse.

It was only the second time in the race’s history that a driver had been denied a start in the race, the first being Channel 10’s entertainment guru Angela Bishop.

Bishop failed to pass her racing licence test in 2003 after poor performances in training — she was not dangerous, just very slow — and had to sit out that year’s Celebrity Challenge.

Things often did not go to plan — which just resulted in more headlines.

Western Bulldog great Luke Darcy smashed his Mini into the wall at Albert Park in 2008 with the car dramatically flipping and landing on its side.

Luke Darcy with his smashed up Mini in the celebrity race.

Model Grace McClure, the face of the race in 2003, fractured her pelvis after ploughing into the track fencing while competing in the Celebrity Challenge in slippery conditions.

Face of the Melbourne Grand Prix Grace McClure fractured her pelvis in the celebrity race in 2003.

After that incident Grand Prix ambassadors were no longer allowed to take part in the race.

Famously, Austrian tennis ace Thomas Muster and Hey Hey It’s Saturday’s Jo Beth Taylor fell in love while taking part in the race in 2000.

A wedding, a baby and a divorce soon followed.

Thomas Muster with TV presenter Jo-Beth Taylor in 2000.

The race was an integral part of the Australian Grand Prix until 2014.

Costs and the problem of getting a car manufacturer to provide vehicles for the race meant the Celebrity Challenge was finally parked for good.

Carey Hart after the celebrity race.

But while it is gone, the Challenge remains a unique memory of an era where a singer, model, sportsperson, politician, reality star or media name could taste a small sliver of track glory at the Australian Grand Prix.