Historic Sandown 2025 - Report

For those living in Victoria, and especially Melbourne, the city’s fickle spring weather left its water-soaked mark on the 33^rd Historic Sandown meeting over the weekend of November 7-9th.

With Saturday temperatures hovering in the low teens and torrential rain often pounding the circuit, the weather made conditions taxing for the 225 entrants, volunteer officials and spectators, many spectators deciding that Sandown’s expansive, sheltered grandstand was the place to watch track activities.

As can be expected with VHRR events, and despite Saturday’s miserable conditions, the experienced team, including race control, pit lane marshals and track officials, maintained a tight schedule, and, with competitors driving to the conditions, resulted in very few incidents to delay the program.

And for those who chose the relative comfort of the grandstand there was something for everyone, with track duels featuring Historic Touring Cars, Group S Production Sports Cars, HQ Holdens and Formula Fords providing almost non-stop entertainment.

A recent welcome addition to Historic Sandown has been a celebration of the TT Trophy race for sports cars, first held at Albert Park 70 years ago. This year, the Saturday reenactment, sponsored by Apex Steel and run under appalling conditions, was won by Michael Russo, driving his beautiful Tiga SC84.

Although track temperatures were extremely chilly, the pit area became uncomfortably hot, when, on his return, Michael’s car caught fire. Fortunately, quick action by fellow competitors soon had the fire extinguished with minimal damage to driver or car. 

In sharp contrast to Saturday’s low spectator attendance, Sunday dawned as a perfect race day, which was acknowledged by a large enthusiastic crowd, including many families, ready to enjoy dry, sunny conditions and exciting racing. And they weren’t to be disappointed.

The expanding Touring Car Tribute category this year included four genuine Group C & A cars, those of Ian Ross - XD Falcon, Adrian Allisey - VL Walkinshaw Commodore, Adrian Braidy - BMW M3 and Adam Jones in the Datsun Racing Team 240K, bolstered by a great field of Tribute Cars. The cars of Graeme Stevensons - XD Falcon, Travis Kirby – VC Commodore and David Ramsay in the McLeod Ford liveried XA Falcon Hardtop were the standout Tribute Cars feature of the weekend.

These beautifully prepared race cars made a crowd-pleasing spectacle, as they bellowed and muscled their way along Sandown’s two long straights. Sunday’s close finish resulted in a win for Phil Jones VH Commodore Tribute Car, followed by Adrian Allisey in the VL Walkinshaw Commodore.

Sunday’s feature race commemorated the 100 years of Ford in Australia and was enthusiastically embraced by competitors in their Fords or Ford-powered cars. The race was a rare opportunity to see Fords from Touring Car and Sports Car categories competing together, and the close finish by the thundering Mustangs of Michael Miceli, Terry Lawlor and Scott Pierce bought the fans to the edges of the circuit’s numerous viewing areas.

Continuing the Ford theme, of special note during the weekend was the appearance of VHRR junior club member Tabitha Ambrose, racing a historic Formula Ford, and in sharp contrast in terms of size, handling and performance, a Falcon XC Hardtop Tribute. Tabitha performed extremely well and the club looks forward to her continuing her historic racing activities next year.

As in previous years, the Historic Sandown committee invited numerous car clubs, encouraging proud owners to display their prized vehicles. This year, celebrating 100 years of Ford in Australia, a large number of classic Australian built Ford Falcons and Fairlanes attended, supported by Capris, Cortinas and Escorts, with Volvo, BMW, Bolwell and Holden marques well represented in the colourful 150 plus car display.

For the first time in recent years Historic Sandown was live streamed, supported by a knowledgeable commentary team, giving those fans not able to attend view close up action, along with driver interviews.

As the year closes on historic racing, the Victorian Historic Racing Register thanks all its partners, Shannons, Cooldrive/Racer Industries, Penrite Oil and Equity-One for their committed support throughout 2025, and looks forward to the club’s first 2026 event, the prestigious Penrite 100 Classic, to be held at the Phillip Island circuit on March 13-15th.

Click here to learn more about the Phillip Island Classic.