PRESS RELEASE - March 2024
Spectacular historic racing at Phillip Island did not disappoint the large crowd.
After a number of years of being impacted by COVID the Victorian Historic Racing Register’s Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport was back to its brilliant best. There were a handful of late withdrawals but entries still topped 410 across ten categories. The skies over the island and the sea were clear blue with temperatures in the mid-thirties Celsius on each of the three main days.
A large number of entrants took advantage of the track being open for practice on Thursday and, to the organisers surprise and delight a significant number of spectators attended. Perhaps they had checked the forecast for the weekend and decided to see the cars in the relative cool of the practice day.
This year there were overseas drivers in the form of a contingent of 12 Kiwis who launched an invasion across the Tasman. Ten of these entries were Formula 5000s contesting the season’s fourth round of the Tasman Cup Revival series. With Australian entrants there were a total of 21 F5000s. The other two Kiwi entries were McLaren CanAm cars. These CanAm M8Bs would be joined by the four New Zealand McLaren M10As and Bs and Australian owned McLarens at the Australian Grand Prix two weekends after Phillip Island for the Bruce McLaren & the Tasman Era feature/tribute. Five of the New Zealand F5000s will be shipped to England to compete at Brands Hatch.
In addition to the F5000s the organisers headlined two very different race cars — the Ferrari 250LM and the Holden Torana L34.
The stunning Pininfarina designed 250LM was a 1964 NART car, chassis number: 5909 which in its day had been raced by Jochen Rhindt, Umberto Maglioli, David Piper, John Surtees and Lorenzo Bandini. Spencer Martin, Australian Drivers Champion in 1966 and 1967, was Patron of the event. Martin successfully raced a Ferrari 250LM for David McKay’s Scuderia Veloce team. Martin drove the 250LM on the parade laps before the start of the sports car races. The car’s owner/custodian ran the car in the Regularity events over the weekend.
Regularity events allow cars to be exercised on the track without the cut and thrust of racing. Each driver nominates a lap time then tries to consistently achieve that time. A field of 59 cars ran in each of these Regularity events with a dazzling selection of vehicles. In addition to the LM250, amongst many others there was a Ferrari 206SP; a Ferrari Daytona Group 4; a Ferrari P4 replica; a McLaren M8B; a lovely Alpine Renault A110; and a 1936 supercharged MG TA driven by 22-year-old Rachael Brown.
The fiftieth anniversary of the release of the Holden Torana L34 was the cause of its celebration. The car that won the 1976 Bathurst in the hands of John Fitzpatrick and Bob Morris was on display in the paddock. This car is particularly close to the heart of the Festival’s Chairman Ian Tate, as he built the engine. When I spoke with Ian he expressed his delight at having the Fitzpatrick/Morris car on display and the 40 other L34s that would celebrate the anniversary with on-circuit parades over the weekend.
The Phillip Island track has a slopping grassy area that runs for most of the length of the main straight. This is positioned several metres above the height of the track and as well as providing an excellent viewing area the organisers allocate sections along its length to car clubs to display members’ vehicles. This year 32 car clubs displayed a total of 1,100 cars — a magnificent sight as well as being an added attraction for the thousands of spectators who braved the very hot weather. There is a pavilion on that same stretch of the circuit that houses stalls offering books, models, enamel signs, parts and all manner of motoring bric-a-brac plus more car displays.
Kiwi Codie Banks dominated all the F5000 races in his Lola T332. For the first race he was joined on the front row of the grid by his father David in his Talon MR1.
Other events included a field of 46 Historic Formula Fords. There was a heavy representation of Van Diemens plus some Swifts, Lolas and Reynards then successful Australian cars — Elfin, Elwyn and GallowayAlthough Nicholas McBride ran away from the rest in his Swift to claim the Larry Perkins Cup, there was some excellent racing throughout the field.
In amongst the 45 Historic Touring Cars, George Miedecke enjoyed success in a Ford Sierra Cosworth in one race and came second to Bathurst winner Stephen Richards in his Nissan Skyline GTSR3 in another.
There were plenty of Ford versus Holden battles plus some entertaining racing in a field full of Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, Valiant Chargers and Holden Toranas.
The ‘Sir Jack Brabham Driver of the Meeting Award’ was presented to Codie Banks from New Zealand driving a Lola 332.
A second award, ‘The Don Kinsey Encouragement Award’ went to Abby Wingett, a junior member of the VHRR driving an Elfin Formula Junior.
By Sunday evening there were plenty of sunburnt but happy people leaving this picturesque and amazing Phillip Island Grand Prix international racing circuit.
ENDS
12 March 2023
Words: Peter R Hill
Photos: Rebecca Hind - Revved Photography
For further Information:
Ian Tate OAM
Chairman VHRR Phillip Island Race Committee, President VHRR & Event Director
Email: tatehistoricracing@gmail.com
Mobile: 0458 882 304
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au Mobile: 0438 806 09
PRESS RELEASE - February 2024
Preparations well advanced for Australia’s largest historic motor racing event, the VHRR Phillip Island Classic
Final preparations are in place for the largest historic motorsport event in the Southern Hemisphere, the annual VHRR Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, March 8th to 10th 2024.
With more than 400 entries from every state in Australia, a strong contingent of competitors from New Zealand plus international drivers, the event now attracting record numbers of spectators will once again provide thrilling and spectacular motor racing.
With eleven categories of race cars from the late 1920’s up to the late 1980’s including McLaren CAN-AM cars from the heyday of the world leading era of the McLaren team plus some of the best Formula 5000’s, international competition will be at its best over the three day event.
Of particular interest will be Roger William’s M8E-F McLaren CAM-AM car with 8.3 litre Chev aluminium engine, the M10B Formula 5000 of Toby Annabel, in which the legendary Bruce McLaren had significant personal input with the vehicle racing and hill climbs in the UK, the McLaren M10B-400-18S raced by Frank Karl with this F5000 racing in South Africa and UK. There will also be the McLaren CAN-AM sports car of Alistair Hey and the M10A-300.09 with the high rear wing of Tony Roberts once driven by American driver and broadcaster Sam Posey.
Formula 5000 Grand Prix cars from New Zealand that have raced in the USA and UK will compete on the Sunday against the top Australian cars and drivers for the Trans-Tasman Trophy
One of the strongest fields of C & A touring cars ever assembled will include three back to back Bathurst cars with champion drivers Jonathon Webb, Greg Murphy and Steve Richards racing for honours. Taking the competition up to them will be father and son Andrew and George Miedecke in Sierra and Mercedes cars, Tony and Kyle Alford in the Nissans, Paul Stubber in the ex Allan Moffatt RX7, Chris Stillwell in a Ford Sierra and Peter Xiberras, owner of the Premier Super Car Team in the ex Bob Jane Commodore.
In the Group N Touring Cars there will be 8 x XU1’s, 13 Mustangs, 5 x Camaro’s plus 1 x Ford Falcon Super Sprint car in what can be seen as some of the fastest and most competitive assembled at Phillip Island.
The ever competitive field of Formula Ford grid will see Irish challenger James Hagen challenging Malcolm Oastler, John and Tim Blanchard from the Blanchard Racing Team, Richard Davidson and Johnathon Miles amongst many others challenging for the honours.
Of particular interest and racing at the event will be the priceless 1964 Ferrari 250LM Chassis 5909 which will be driven by Peter Harburg. One of only 32 cars ever made, the Ferrari 250LM was delivered new to the North American Racing Team on May 1964 just in time for the 1000km of Nurburgring where it was driven by Umberto Maglioli and Jochen Rindt and also driven over the years by legendary British drivers David Piper and John Surtees. The car was successfully raced around the world in the 1960’s and has been superbly restored winning numerous concourse awards and has recently arrived in Australia for display and historic racing.
On display at the event will be the 1946 Maybach which won the 1954 New Zealand Grand Prix driven by Australian legend and winner of both the Australian and New Zealand Grand Prix, Stan Jones. This was the first successful race car developed and built in Australia to win a Grand Prix event.
Patron for the 2024 VHRR Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ is Spencer Martin, highly regarded as one of Australia’s most competitive open wheeler racers of the 1960’s. Racing for Bob Jane Racing, Spencer won two Australian Drivers’ Championships back to back in 1966 and 1967. In later years he successfully raced in historic events around the world racing Ferrari Testarossa, Maserati and an ex- Stirling Moss C-type Jaguar with wins in Nurburgring, Laguna Seca, Silverstone and Migny-Cours. Spencer also raced Dave McKay’s Ferrari 250LM in Australian in the period and will lead the Q & R entrants on the warm up lap.
On display at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will be up to 1,100 vehicles from the car clubs covering the widest range of vehicle marques available and providing something of interest for everyone. The event will also acknowledge a year of celebrations marking the 125th Anniversary of the Renault brand.
The VHRR Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ is a family friendly motorsport event attracting patrons from all over Australia , New Zealand and internationally.
ENDS
5 February 2024
For further Information:
Ian Tate OAM
Chairman VHRR Phillip Island Race Committee, President VHRR & Event Director
Email: tatehistoricracing@gmail.com Mobile: 0458 882 304
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au Mobile: 0438 806 090
PRESS RELEASE - December 2023
VHRR’s Phillip Island Classic is set for spectacular historic racing in March
The largest historic motor racing event in the Southern Hemisphere, the VHRR Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ is shaping up to be another spectacular event in March 2024 attracting crowds of upwards of 25,000 over the long weekend.
Scheduled for March 8 to 10, 2024, with entries flowing in from all parts of Australia and New Zealand for this major event, there are already some very special Formula 5000, Can-Am and historic saloon cars confirmed for the event.
A strong contingent from New Zealand includes a number from the McLaren Group including Tony Roberts McLaren M10A 300-09, a car built for the introduction of the Formula 5000 in the UK in 1969. The prototype M10A won the European Championship and dominated the second year of international F5000. Tony’s car, a 300-9 was originally supplied to Bob Esseks in the USA and first raced at Road America in July 1969. Tony has been racing various McLaren cars for more than 25 years and was the stunt driver for the recent movie, ‘McLaren’.
Grant Clearwater’s McLaren M10A 300-08 was originally built for Sir Nick Williamson in 1969 and raced at the international hill climbs at St Ursanne-Les Rangiers and Ollon-Villars before making its debut at Preston in September winning all three UK outings in late 1969. Rebuilt at the factory to M10B specification it went on to win four championship rounds and took the British Hill Climb Championship.
The McLaren M10A 300-03 owned by Rob Ward will also be racing. This is a car that was entered in the 1969 US series but later crashed during practice for the race at Mont Tremblant. It was sold and restored and competed in of SCCA National Park and five Pro races.
Frank Karl’s McLaren M10B 400-185 was originally raced in South Africa by Alan McKechnie and later by several owners in the UK and raced by Len Booysen in 1975 for Team Domingo.
A car that received a lot of personal input from Bruce McLaren is the M10B 400-7 owned in New Zealand by Toby Annabel. This car was very successful in smaller hill climbs and was used in the British Hill Climb Championship in 1974 and 1975.
Of particular interest will be the McLaren Can-AM Sportscar M8B-1 owned by Alistair Hey as this car was developed for the 1969 Can-AM season where it was totally dominant, winning 11 out of 11 rounds.
Five New Zealand based super touring and Group A cars will also be at the meeting including Andy Greeslade’s Benson & Hedges RS500 Sierra. This car was the last of five Benson & Hedges Sierra’s and the only one built in Australia with the aim of winning the 1990 Bathurst 1000. It first raced in round 3 of the 1990 Australian Touring Car Championship and seven weeks later was at Bathurst where it competed with Tony Longhurst and ex-F1 champion Alan Jones setting a lap record for Mount Panorama however it did not finish the actual race that year.
Peter Sturgeon’s 1996 Honda Accord Supertourer was originally raced by David Leslie in the 1996 British Touring Car Championship, Neil Crompton in the 1997 North American Touring Championship and Graham Dodd in the 1998 Australian Super Touring Championship.
Two highly competitive BMW Super tourers owned by Steven Kelly and Dennis Chapman will be racing plus Scott O’Donnell’s 1995 Ford Mondeo Supertourer.
With such a strong team of New Zealand cars and drivers there is no doubt that trans-Tasman rivalry will be to the fore with competition coming from some of Australia’s best drivers and cars including upwards of 15 Australian Formula 5000’s.
Once again there will be eleven racing categories over the three day event providing spectacular interest on the track for spectators along with up to 1000 vehicles on display in the circuit outer.
The VHRR has also been advised of a very special and rare Ferrari that will make its first ever appearance in Australia and this never before seen car will be racing over the weekend so there will be something for everyone in the family..
ENDS
21 December 2023
For further Information:
Ian Tate OAM
Chairman VHRR Phillip Island Race Committee, President VHRR & Event Director
Email: tatehistoricracing@gmail.com
Mobile: 0458 882 304
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
Mobile: 0438 806 090
PRESS RELEASE - March 2023
VHRR Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ – March 9-12 2023 – Australia’s Major Historic Motorsport Event
Four hundred and fifty entrants filled the paddock and the grids for the Victorian Historic Racing Register’s Phillip Island Festival of Motorsport. The headline attraction was six F1 cars of the seventies and eighties from Europe — Martin O’Connell’s Shadow DN8; James Hagan’s Hesketh 308/1; Marc Devis’ Surtees TS16 from Belgium; Ian Simmonds Tyrell 012; Paul Tattersall’s Ensign MN09; and Steven Boultbe Brooks’ Lotus 81, which sadly destroyed is latest DFV on the first day of practice.
These cars were joined by Australian owned F1s, F5000s, Indy cars and smaller capacity single-seaters, delivering an initial field of 37 cars. The locals dominated the first two days, Tim Berryman’s Lola T332, Thomas Tweedie’s Chevron B24/28 and the Belgiorno-Nettis Ferrari 156 heading the Shadow and the Hesketh. By Sunday, Englishman O’Connell had found his groove on the flowing track and the Shadow beat the Lola to the flag in both races. A special Phillip Island Historic Grand Prix was entertaining despite the small field of six F1s. To James Hagan’s great delight his Hesketh triumphed ahead of the Shadow and the local Ferrari and Marc Devis’ Surtees TS16.
Eleven categories of races provided plenty of variety. Some recognisable names fought for top honours in the Historic Sedans. The Nissan Skylines of Bathurst 1000 winners Greg Murphy and Steven Richards were joined at the front of the field by Chris Stillwell in a Ford Sierra RS500. This trio took the podium spots in three of the four races. Murphy had two wins to Richards’ one. Race 3 was an upset with Edward Sansil winning in his 2.5 litre BMW M3 from Tony Alford’s Nissan GTS HR31. In the Group C category Paul Stubber’s Mazda RX7 got the better of the mainly Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon filled field.
Regular visitor and FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Champion, Englishman Andy Newall, who was instrumental in organising the entry of the European cars, found time to enjoy himself, power sliding a Chevron B6 through tight Honda corner during an otherwise lonely mid-field drive in Group M&O Sports & Racing. While Nic Bennett, Andrew McInnes and Andrew Robson battled at the front of the field, Richard Carter added interest by starting from pit lane for each race without a clutch in his Renmax 23B then catching and passing about a third of the cars in the field of thirty-two. Despite the very close racing Andrew Robson won every race leaving Nic Bennett and Andrew McInnes to share spots on the lower podium steps. Dad, Laurie Bennett, in the McLaren M1 did upset the pattern in the second race when he took third behind his son.
In addition to Andy Newall’s Chevron, the VHRR had also secured three stunning sports cars from the other side of the world: Ludovic Caron brought his Chevron B31 from France, Leon Ebeling’s 1962 Shelby Cobra 289 came from Denmark and Stephen Boultebe Brooks had his lovely Lola T70, which was just as well after his F1 Lotus 81 reportedly put a leg out of bed early in the meeting.
The Formula Ford field was not quite as big as last year but there were still forty entries across the three classes with five races to contend. The Formula Ford International Challenge didn’t quite live up to its title as the only international as a Kiwi entrant, Wayne Colville who was running a Van Dieman RF88. Ex-Kiwi champion Grant Walker was keeping the young blokes honest, finishing just out of the podium spots in a Swift DB1. Grant had a busy day as he also raced the Jim Richards owned Lotus 18 Formula Junior. As always, the Formula Fords provided good racing right through the field. Jonathan Miles, Nic McBride and Andrew Reid diced closely for the lead in each race. McBride won three races including the International and the Perkins Cup. Miles won races two and three while somehow Reid, who was always in the mix, didn’t quite manage to get across the line first.
The Formula Vees matched the Formula Fords in providing entertaining close racing. No single driver dominated the weekend. Peter George; Dean Briggs; Clive Brook; and Chris Neil were always battling for the podium spots. Dean Briggs’ Spectre was keeping the gaggle of Elfins honest.
An “oddity” of the weekend was a big six, Maigret style Citroen which was racing amongst the Minis, Lotus Cortinas and Alfas in the Under 2 Litre category. It ran near the tail of the field surrounded by Cortinas.
In the huge field for the Regularity sessions, Peter Harburg’s exquisite ’61 Ferrari 196 SP attracted a lot of attention.
As in the pre-Covid past, car clubs provided great displays of their members’ vehicles on the grass along the main straight and up the hill. There were some exhibits on both sides of the track and the tempting stalls of books, models, and memorabilia in “the big shed” across from the paddock. All these ingredients make for an entertaining day or weekend for spectators and competitors and confirmed its place as the largest and most prestigious historic motorsport event in the Southern hemisphere.
Awards
The Don Kinsey Encouragement Award for junior drivers was won by Tom Vondrasek who raced his XC Falcon Coupe in Group C and got consistently quicker with every race.
The Sir Jack Brabham Driver of the Meeting Award went to David Hardman who, with the exception of a last race DNF, made a habit of winning Group R Racing in his Hardman JH-1.
ENDS
27 March 2023
Words: Peter R Hill
For further Information:
Ian Tate OAM
Chairman VHRR Phillip Island Race Committee, President VHRR & Event Director
Email: tatehistoricracing@gmail.com
Mobile: 0458 882 304
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
Mobile: 0438 806 090
PRESS RELEASE - February 2023
One of the largest fields of spectacular historic cars racing at the 2023 Phillip Island Classic
This year’s Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ will be an outstanding event with some of the finest historic cars from around the world competing on the world renowned Grand Prix Circuit at Phillip Island from 10 to 12 March.
Not only are there six classic Formula One cars from Europe including the 1972 Surtees TS16/02, the Shadow DN8, the Tyrrell 012, the Ensign N179, the Lotus 81, and the Hesketh 308-1, racing some of the finest historic race cars in Australia but there are four spectacular sports cars also from Europe.
The sports cars include Leon Ebeling’s 1962 Shelby Cobra 289, Steve Brooks Lola T70 Mk 3b, Ludovic Caron’s Chevron B31, a historic Le Mans competitor and Andrew Newall’s 1966 Chevron B6- a multiple World Championship Car in which Andrew won the 2015 FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship.
The Chevron B24 driven by Tom Tweedie has the distinction of being the first type of Formula 5000 car to beat the Formula 1 machines in a combined event, this occurring at Brands Hatch in 1973 after Peter Gethin had also won the regular Formula 5000 race. With the entry of Tim Berryman in the 1979 Lola T332, in which Australian past World Champion Alan Jones finished 4th on 1979 Australian Grand Prix at Oran Park Raceway, we will see two of the fastest Formula 5000 cars in Australia competing against the international Formula One’s.
Also competing will be the very rare 1962 Ferrari 196 SP Dino which was raced in the 1962 Sebring 12 Hours by the North American Racing Team. The first of the mid/rear-engine Ferrari’s, it was one of only five that were built and is the only one surviving. The car continued to race with success in major events in Europe and USA before passing into the hands of some of the prominent collectors before recently arriving in Australia.
From the USA, the well-known and highly competitive 1959 Old Yeller Mk11 raced by Ernie Nagamatsu will once again make an appearance at the Phillip Island Circuit.
A feature race on the Sunday will see competitors in the Formula Ford category race for the Perkins Cup in honour of legendary Australian driver Larry Perkins.
Also on the Sunday, the Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ will feature two international events with more than forty Formula Fords on the grid with entrants from, New Zealand, Ireland, USA and UK competing against Australian drivers. The second international race on the Sunday we will see the six international Formula One cars racing against four of Australia’s Formula One cars.
Competing in regularity will be the 1946 Maybach Mk1 which won the 1954 New Zealand Grand Prix driven by Stan Jones. This car was the first successful race car developed and built in Australia to win a Grand Prix event.
On static display at the circuit will be a number of world famous feature cars including Allan Jones 1979 World Championship Williams; the March 701 driven by Italian past World Champion Mario Andretti; an Indy car driven by four times winner of the Indianapolis 500 Rick Mears and a 1985 Ferrari 156/85.
Past Bathurst winners Steven Richards and Greg Murphy will be racing in Group C & A in the Nissan HR31 turbo cars against the Ford Sierra’s, one driven by Chris Stillwell.
In a move to assist competitors at a time of higher inflation, a very committed Mark Tierney, Race Fuels CEO has just announced that his company will hold the cost of fuel at last year’s level for this year’s Phillip Island Classic event.
Once again the event has strong support from major motor and industry sponsors such as Penrite, Shannons, Cooldrive and Apex Steel, Dutton Garage, Bendix Brakes and Trico with support also coming from Bass Coast Shire Council and Events Gippsland who all recognise the importance of this major sporting event.
The Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ is a family friendly event attracting youths, families with young children right through to senior citizens because of the range of authentic race cars presented along with exciting and competitive racing..
ENDS
18 February 2023
For further Information:
Ian Tate OAM
Chairman VHRR Phillip Island Race Committee, President VHRR & Event Director
Email: tatehistoricracing@gmail.com
Mobile: 0458 882 304
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
Mobile: 0438 806 090
PRESS RELEASE - January 2023
Australia’s 2023 Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ will host six spectacular Formula 1 Classic Cars from Europe
The 2023 Phillip Island Classic – Festival of Motorsport will host a number of spectacular historic F1 cars from Europe along with nine international drivers competing at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 10 – 12 March.
Regarded as the largest historic motor race in the Southern Hemisphere, the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ is renowned for attracting some of the finest historic race cars in the world and this year will certainly not disappoint local and international fans.
The 1974 SurteesTS16/02 was designed and built by the legendary John Surtees, raced in Argentinian, British, South African, Spanish, Belgian, Swedish, Monaco and French Grand Prix’s over the 1974/ 1975 seasons. Now owned by Marc Devis a prolific-historic racer and a regular participant in the Master Racing Legends for 1966-1985 F1 cars, the Surtees TS16 car has continued to be raced in historic events in Britain and Europe. Drivers of the TS16/02 included Derek Bell, Jose Dolhem, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Leo Kinnunen, Helmut Koinigg, Jochen Mass, Carlos Pace, Dieter Quester and John Watson. Carlos Pace placed the Surtees TS16 in the points once in 1974 but left the team in mid-season, John Watson finished well in three Non-Championship F1 races.
Of particular Australian significance is the 1977 Shadow DN8 of James Constable, a Formula One car of the Shadow Team during the 1976, 1977 and 1978 Formula One season. Driven by 1980 World Champion Alan Jones, Jones finished in the points in Monaco and Belgium and won the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix. Jones finished third in Italy and fourth in Canada and Japan for 22 points and 7th in the Drivers’ Championship standings that year. Drivers of the Shadow DN8 over this period also included Jean-Pierre Jarier, Alan Jones, Arturo Merzario, Jackie Oliver, Riccardo Patrese, Tom Pryce, Clay Regazzoni and Renzo Zorzi. Good placings saw the team placed 7th on the 1977 Constructors Championship table.
Racing at Phillip Island will also be the Tyrrell 012 in the original Benetton sponsored livery as driven by Michele Alboreto in 1983. Designed by Maurice Phillippe and Brian Lisles the chassis was used by the factory team between the 1983 Dutch Grand Prix and the 1985 Australian Grand Prix. Now owned by Ian Simmonds in the UK, Chassis 012-1 is recorded as having contested nine Formula 1 World Championships over this period and has raced in the historic Masters in the UK and Europe over the last ten years.
Drivers included Michele Alboreto, Stefan Bellof, Martin Brundle, Stefan Johansson, Danny Sullivan.
The Ensign N179 of Paul Tattersall participated in 11 Formula One World Championship events during the 1979 season starting its career at the South African GP event. This was Baldwin’s last Ensign and was partly funded by Teddy Yip. who is well known for bringing Alan Jones into prominence. Its monocoque and rocker arm suspension were conventional however the radiators built into the scuttle and extending down to the cone proved ineffective and the car was rebuilt with conventional radiators in the side pods. The Ensign Team had only limited sponsorship from Theodore Racing of Hong Kong for most of the season and raced under the team’s own Ensign logos until the last two races when sponsorship came from Rainbow Jeans of USA. The Ensign N179 had three drivers, over the 1979 season, Derek Daly, Patrick Gaillard and Marc Surer with Gaillard achieving its best result at the British Grand Prix with 13th overall.
Towards the end of the season the team was sponsored by Rainbow Jeans and after the USA Grand Prix the car remained in the USA until 1993 when it returned to the United Kingdom. Rebuilt in 2016/17 to the specifications and colour scheme in which it appeared in the Monaco Grand Prix, the car has raced regularly around the world in the FIA Masters F1 Championship.
The Lotus 81 of Steve Boultbee-Brooks was built around a basic sheet aluminium structure derived from the Lotus 80 and a mid-season replacement monocoque led to the Lotus 81B designation. Driver Elio de Angelis scored a second and third early in the season along with other encouraging performances. Other drivers during the season included subsequent World Champions Mario Andretti and Nigel Mansell. Former test driver Mansell was given a first GP drive in the first 81B in Austria and performed well despite considerable problems. The Lotus 81 continued racing over a number of years in different colours often racing without nose fins which made it look even more stubbie.
The sixth international F1 car racing at Phillip Island is the Hesketh 308-1 of regular visitor James Hagan. This was the car that gave World Champion James Hunt, racing at Silverstone International Trophy in 1974, his first overall race victory in a Formula One car. The car made a total of 12 race starts, 9 of which were Grand Prix starts between James Hunt, Alan Jones and Harald Ertl between 1974 and 1975. Drivers included Guy Edwards, Harald Ertl, James Hunt, Alan Jones, Brett Lunger, Torsten Palm, Alex Ribeiro and Rolf Stommelen.
In 1975 the car was run in the ’B’ form appearing with both rubber cone suspension and normal coil springs. That year James Hunt won the Dutch Grand Prix, was second in three GPs and scored 28 of his 33 championship points.
The six international cars will be competing against some of Australia’s top drivers including Guido Belgiorno-Nettis in the 1985 Ferrari 156/85, Ian Buddery in the 1986 March 86C, Ian Ross in the 1985 Lola THL1-F1 plus two other F1 cars not previously raced here, Formula 5000’s and Formula Holden’s in a grid of 40 cars..
With some of the largest crowds expected, the Phillip Island Classic–‘Festival of Motorsport’ will be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit over the long weekend of 10 – 12 March 2023 with one, two and three day tickets available at the gate.
ENDS
9 February 2023
For further Information:
Ian Tate OAM
Chairman VHRR Phillip Island Race Committee, President VHRR & Event Director
Email: tatehistoricracing@gmail.com
Mobile: 0458 882 304
Graeme McLean
VHRR Organising Committee
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
Mobile: 0438 806 090
PRESS RELEASE - March 2022
Historic Racing at its best at the 2022 Australian Phillip Island Classic
The Phillip Island circuit is two and three-quarter miles of flowing race track in a truly picturesque setting with the ocean as its backdrop. The Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) once again staged the biggest historic event in Australia, its March Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport, this time without the COVID restrictions that banned spectators in 2021.
There were no international cars due to shipping difficulties, but 450 entries as received provided interesting fields across a wide range of categories from the Australian favourites, 5 litre V8 Touring Cars, through to a field of fifty-seven Formula Fords. This huge field included three overseas drivers, Richard Tarling from the UK , Gislain Genecand from Switzerland and Xavier Michel from France to do battle with the locals for The Perkins Cup, named to honour the Australian Perkins brothers, Larry and Terry who both won the Australian Formula Ford title in the nineteen-seventies before going on to success in Europe.
The International drivers enjoyed great success with Gislain Genecand winning the Formula Ford outright with Richard Tarling seventh and Xavier Michel eleventh in a 57 car grid. The Don Kinsey Encouragement Award for Young Drivers went to 16 year old junior member, William Sala driving a 1975 Elfin Formula V and winner of the Q & R F5000, F1, Indy Cars and Invited, was won by Guido Belgiorno-Nettis in his 1985 Ferrari 156/85. In Saturday’s race the Guido was challenged closely by 2nd place winner Grant Doulman in a 1988 Shrike NB89H although Guido stretched the margin out in Sunday’s final race. Q & R Sports & P & Invited was won handsomely from start to finish by Thomas Tweedie in a 1974 Elfin MS7 who wasn’t seriously challenged over the three day event.
Larry Perkins and his son Jack were at the Island to race Holden Commodores in the Australian fans’ favourite category, the 5 litre touring car races. Following his successes in Europe, Larry became a local legend in touring cars and the seventy-one-year-old, six-time winner of the Bathurst 1000-kilometre race, was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of historic racing. Jack was the outright winner of this spirited challenge.
Andy Newall was the fourth overseas driver to make the trip down under. Unfortunately, Andy’s borrowed McLaren M6B suffered a hub failure on Friday so he missed racing on the weekend.
The single seater event for cars from the seventies through to the nineties provided the fascinating sight of famed racing car designer Malcolm Oastler in a Ralt RT1 dicing with a Reynard 92D, a car he designed. After following the Reynard for a number of laps Oastler edged his 1600cc Ralt past the three-litre car taking fourth place in the Sunday morning race. Perhaps the Reynard driver, Duncan MacKellar sought out Oastler after the race to ask his advice on setting up the Reynard.
The winner of the Sir Jack Brabham Trophy for Driver of the Meeting was Nick Bennett who raced in two categories and achieved 3 outright wins in Class M & O Sports Racing driving a 1970 Elfin TC-W 600B.
Three days of historic racing in the sunshine was the perfect way to blow away the COVID blues of the previous two years. Many of the spectators took the opportunity to drive their special cars to the track, with car clubs providing displays in the vast area overlooking the main straight. Hopefully next year some international cars can add further interest to the VHRR’s impressive event.
ENDS
15 March 2022
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2022
Spectacular Historic Racing at the Phillip Island Circuit over Victoria’s long weekend in March
With some 435 entrants from all states of Australia, except WA due to COVID restrictions, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will once again be the home for spectacular historic racing over Victoria’s long weekend of 11-13 March.
Although there is an absence of international historic cars this year as a result of the pandemic, four overseas drivers including Richard Tarling from UK , Gislain Genecand from Switzerland and Xavier Michel from France will each be driving Formula Fords whilst Andy Newall from the UK will be racing Bob Harborow’s 1966 McLaren M6B.
With maximum grids in a number of categories, especially the Formula Fords where 57 FA, FB and FC cars will be racing on Sunday morning and afternoon for the prestigious Perkins Cup. This field includes Tim Blanchard, Team Principal of the Blanchard Racing Team. Tim’s father, John Blanchard will not be racing due to an injury and his seat in the Formula Ford will be filled by Brian Soule,
Maximum grids are also registered in the Group S Sports Cars and 66 cars in the Regularity racing plus other categories, once again confirming the importance of this event on the Australian and International Motorsports calendar.
The 50th Anniversary of Peter Brocks famous 1972 Bathurst Win in a Torana XU1 will be celebrated with a grid of eleven cars from Queensland, South Australia, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria each racing for the Peter Brock Trophy on the Sunday.
Of particular interest this year will be a field of more than 30 - 5 litre Super V8 Touring Sprint cars built between 1993 and 2002 and invited high speed cars. This field includes the highly competitive Larry Perkins driving the Castrol BZ Commodore and his son Janck driving the ex HRT V8 Super Car that he drove at Bathurst.
Throughout the event Michael Stillwell will act as Driving Standard Advisor with Event Director Ian Tate OAM and Clerk of the Course Michael Herlihy.
“Not only will spectators be treated to spectacular racing on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday but under the direction of the VHRR, 270 cars will be practicing on the Thursday and spectators are also welcome on that day,” said Event Director Ian Tate. “There will be a strong media presence including interest from international publications including the UK publication Classic and Sports Car Magazine confirming the international status of the Phillip Island Classic-‘Festival of Motorsport’ race meeting,” he said.
ENDS
24 February 2022
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2022
Phillip Island Classic Historic Racing set for Major Motorsport Event
Over the long weekend of March 11-13 the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ will once again become a major Victorian attraction at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with more than 400 spectacular historic vehicles from the early 50’s to the late 80’s racing.
Organisers of the event, the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR), supported by long time sponsors, CoolDrive, Penrite and Shannons, have confirmed that along with the 400 entries for the three day event there will be some 240 entrants practising at the Island Grand Prix Circuit on the Thursday this year under the direction of the VHRR.
Throughout the weekend there will be a series of special races including a commemorative race for the XUI Holden marking the 50th Anniversary of motoring legend Peter Brock’s 1st win at Bathurst in 1972. Special guest, Bev Brock, will be at the circuit to present the trophy to the winner of this event.
Two feature races will be held on the Saturday for Q & R Racing and QR Sports categories including Guido Belgiorno-Netti’s spectacular 1985 Ferrari 156/86 F1.
Feature races over 12 laps on the Sunday will include Q & A Touring cars, Group S Sports Cars and Touring cars over 2 litres. Australian Champion Larry Perkins will race against son Jack for the first time in the Super Special in a capacity field of 30 cars.
Some 56 Formula Fords will also grid up for two feature races on the Sunday to compete for the Perkins Cup.
The weekend promises to be a welcome return to exciting racing in what is regarded as the largest historic racing event in the Southern Hemisphere with past and present champions of the sport.
Tickets for the weekend of spectacular historic motorsport will be available at the circuit gate.
ENDS
2 February 2022
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - March 2021
Successful 2021 Phillip Island Classic under COVID-19 regulations
The 2021 Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ has successfully run under strict Victorian State Government COVID-19 regulations with entrants from all states of Australia and with drivers restricted to just four pit crew and spectators limited to just 1,000 per day.
Just weeks prior to the event, the State was forced into a five-day lockdown in an effort to contain a COVID-19 outbreak causing the organisers, the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR), some real concern that the event would run at all. Despite this and the restrictions placed upon them, there was a dynamic air around the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with competitors happy to be racing once again and spectators excited to watch spectacular racing under perfect weather conditions throughout the weekend.
Even without international competitors, all racing categories were competitively raced with many of the legends of Australian Motor Sport actively competing including seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Jim Richards, two-time Bathurst winner, John Bowe and former Australian Touring Car Championship runner-up Murray Carter.
John Bowe, just weeks after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, stepped up to race the important Joe Calleja owned ex Carroll Shelby 1952 Allard JX2 in its original racing colours.
There was great excitement with two Porsche 962’s cutting laps around the internationally known and picturesque grand prix circuit of Phillip Island and there was great interest in the 5 litre Touring Car sprints. Australian Supercar driver Tim Slade was behind the wheel of the 2010 Garth Tander Holden Factory Racing Team Commodore racing against his Supercars team boss Tim Blanchard in the 2008 Mark Winterbottom FPR Ford Falcon. In the Touring Car field Michael Roddy drove the priceless TWR Bathurst Jaguar XJ6.
Driver of the meeting and winner of the Sir Jack Brabham Trophy was Connor Ryan in the Demmit Fuelling car.
The Q & R Racing field included Guido Belgiorno in the Ferrari156/85, Paul Zazrym in a Lola T332, Ian Buddery in a March 86C.
With the completion of the 36th Phillip Island Classic the VHRR is once again looking forward to welcoming the return of international competitors in 2022.
ENDS
26 March 2021
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - March 2021
VHRR Phillip Island Event acknowledges Bruce Williams and Auto Action’s 50th Anniversary
The VHRR Phillip Island Classic historic racing event coming up on 5 – 7 March provides a wonderful opportunity for the Club to acknowledge and congratulate Auto Action on its contribution to motor sport in Australia over the last 50 years.
Under the direction of Bruce Williams the publication has provided wonderful support for this major historic racing event at Phillip Island over many years and the VHRR organising committee looks forward to publications continuing success well into the future.
Under the current State Government’s COVID restrictions this year’s Phillip Island Classic will be a very different event with no spectators, trade exhibits, hospitality, cars on display etc. yet the meeting has attracted more than 350 entries from local and inter-state.
Among the many entrants are some of Australia’s top drivers and amongst these are John Bowe racing the Joe Calleja owned Shelby Allard in its original racing colours, Cooldrive Team lead driver Tim Slade racing a 5 litre car in the Super Sprint and joint Bathurst winner Jonathon Webb driving a factory built Ferrari 355 Sports Car in the 5 litre invitation category.
“In the difficult circumstances we currently face, the ongoing support of our long term sponsors Bursons, Cooldrive, Shannons and Penrite plus a host of minor sponsors has shown us all that the event has a strong future,” said VHRR President.
“As we look forward to 2022 we will once again welcome spectators, displays and hospitality plus all the attractions we have had in the past. With strong interest already emanating from international competitors in the United Kingdom where Andy Newall is active and also interest from Europe and the USA, we can look forward to seeing some exciting cars at Phillip Island as the event is now well established on the international calendar,” said Ian Tate.
ENDS
3 March 2021
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2020
Close competitive racing assured at Phillip Island as champions and legends compete
The Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ historic racing over the long weekend in March is shaping up to be highly competitive with many past champions and legends of the sport competing in classic cars of yesteryear.
In the JK, LB and Invitation events close racing is expected with Nick McDonald in the Repco Holden, David Reid in the Faux Pas and Andrew Makin in his first outing in the Nalla Special. Also racing in this class are two highly competitive ladies with Samantha Dymond, winner of the 2019 Diana Davison Ladies Trophy in the VHRR Club Championship, in the Lola Mk.1. against Elisabeth Bailey from NSW, racing the GAS Formula Vee plus some eight other Formula Vee’s.
Within MO and Invitation Racing, two-times Bathurst 1000 winner, John Bowe will drive Peter Strauss’s Formula1 BT31 (ex Jack Brabham), Laurie Bennett will be in the Elfin 600B, Sean Whelan in the BT30 Brabham, Andrew Robins and Andrew Robson in BT30 Brabham’s and the hard charging Penrite BT16 Brabham will be driven by Keith Simpson. Of great interest will be the competition between Nick Bennett in the Elfin 600 and his father Laurie.
Event Patron and six-time Bathurst 1000 Winner, Larry Perkins will be challenged in the 5 litre Touring Cars by Chris Stillwell, Touring Car Champion and son of Australian Motorsport legend Bib Stillwell driving the ex Dick Johnson AU Falcon, Ed Singleton, President of the Heritage Car Association in the GRM Valvoline Cummins VT Commodore, Brad Till driving the ex Ford Tickford Racing AU Falcon and Allan Nash and Garry Collins will be driving the ex Jack Daniels VE Commodores.
Historic Touring Car racing will feature Western Australian Paul Stubber who has just returned from the USA after competing in 40 race meetings. He will be driving his very fast 1969 Camaro against local legend John Mann in his 1969 Camaro. Also in the category are the fast Torana XU1’s of Andrew Williams, Daniel Van Stockrom and Garry Edwards.
Amongst Group C & A are three of the fastest Group A Ford Sierra cars in Australia driven by Bryan Sala, Chris Stillwell and Metodia (Tony) Karanfilovski who will be challenged by four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy in his first full historic race meeting. Greg will be at the wheel of Peter Sturgeon’s M3 BMW. Bathurst legend Charlie O’Brien will race a 365 CSI BMW, seven-times Bathurst 1000 winner Jim Richards will drive the JPS 635 CSI BMW. The crowd will also be treated to the sound and spectacle of two Jaguar XJS V12 cars of Mike Roddy and Anthony Pallas.
Under the historic Q & R category the fastest historic sports car in Australia, the McLaren M8F 8000cc 850BHP will be driven by young Harrison Jones from Queensland and he will be challenged by the two Porsche cars of Russell Kempnich (956c) and George Nakas (962). Also under this category there are 10 Sports 2000 racing.
Tom Tweedie in the Chevron Formula 5000, Guido Belgiorno-Netti in the1985 Ferrari 156/85 and Ian Ross in the Formula 1 Lola will be strongly challenged by five Formula A cars driven by Andrew McInnes, Geoff Doulman, Luke Doidge, Rohan Carrig and Ben Terbutt. Also in this category is the Indy Car, March 86C driven by Ian Buddery and of special interest will be the Kaditcha AF2 driven by Malcolm Oastler.
Throughout the weekend nine ladies will be racing with Clair Greg – Formula Ford, Angela Corradine – Formula Ford, Elizabeth Bailey – Formula Vee and Samantha Dymond – Lola Mk.1. and regularity competitors Deb Louing – Alfa Romeo, Jessica Penn – Caterham Seven, Louise Raper – George Reed Ford, Joanne Coad – Vauxhall Special and Helen Linder – Mini-Cooper S.
Seven overseas drivers including Adrian Reynard – UK, Richard Tarling – UK, Xavier Michel – France, Chris Hodgen – UK, Donald Boyack – UK Martin Whitlock – UK and Jaap Blijleven – Netherlands will race against the best in Australia to provide a spectacular weekend of historic motorsport at the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’, an event internationally recognised as one of the best in the world.
ENDS
27 February 2020
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2020
Legends of Motorsport racing at Phillip Island
The Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ on March 6 – 8 will feature a number of Australian motorsport legends in amazing cars and with ten international drivers also competing, it is shaping up once again to be a truly international event of competitive racing.
Larry Perkins heads up the prestigious event as patron for the meeting and will be racing over the weekend along with his son Jack.
Two BMW cars from the New Zealand collection of Peter Sturgeon will race at the Phillip Island Circuit including the iconic Black and Gold 635 JPS car to be driven by Jim Richards and an M3 to be driven by Greg Murphy. A second M3 from New Zealand will be driven by New Zealand owner-driver Graham Cameron.
Under Group C & A racing for Touring cars from 1973 to 1992 there will be a large field of more than 40 cars including 12 BMW’s racing over the weekend.
Of particular interest will be the Q & R racing cars with competition history from 1970. Here the fastest Ferrari in Australia, the ex Alboreto Ferrari Racing Team car now owned by Guido Belgiorno-Nettis will be challenged by the fastest Formula 5000 driven by Tom Tweedie. The F1 Ferrari was built for the 1985 racing season and was driven by Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson in European Grand Prix and also the Canadian and USA Grand Prix’s. Guido Belgiorno-Nettis acquired Chassis #082 in 2006 and has successfully raced it in Group R Historic events in the identical livery as it competed in the 1985 GP season. This is considered to be one of the most attractive cars on the racing circuit.
John Bowe will drive Joe Colleja’s ex Carroll Shelby’s Allard J2X as shown in the recent Ford vs Ferrari feature movie. Shelby drove this car in five races in 1953 and was placed first in four races and second in the fifth race. It also competed in the International 1000km race in Buenos Aires in 1954. Shelby went on to design and build the iconic AC Cobra.
Young Bathurst competitor Bryan Sala will race a Ford Sierra in Group C & A against Bathurst winner Greg Murphy in a BMW M3 and Malcolm Oastler will race a Kaditcha AF2 Group R car. Also racing will be Chris Stillwell in the ex Colin Bond Sierra.
As part of the ‘Festival of Motorsport’ weekend, legionary driver, development engineer and racing car designer and builder, UK born Adrian Reynard will be at the circuit, racing a Reynard Formula Ford FF84 and will be one of the guests of honour at the celebratory dinner on the Saturday night. Now based in America, Adrian Reynard continues to run the Auto Research Centre (ARC) in Indianapolis.
Other international drivers include Richard Tarling (UK) driving a Quest Formula Ford 86, Jaap Blijleven (Netherlands) driving a Reynard Formula Ford and Xavier Michel (France) driving a Van Diemen.
“For the Formula Ford fraternity worldwide, the Phillip Island Classic is now recognised as the event to be at, with higher levels of interest coming from international competitors each year,” said VHRR Chairman Ian Tate.
With the VHRR supporting the 2020 charity ‘Male Bag Foundation’ lead by AFL legend David Parkin, a team from the Foundation will ride Poste Bikes from Melbourne to the Phillip Island Circuit and on arrival they will take a special ride on the track followed by two CFA Fire Trucks to also highlight the Bush Fire Appeal. David will also be a guest speaker at the dinner.
With more than 1,000 cars on display in the paddock covering the broadest range of vehicle marques and models, the Expo Centre housing a variety of attractions and memorabilia and trade stands, the Phillip Island Classic is once again a celebration of motorsport for all the family.
ENDS
4 February 2020
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - January 2020
One of the world’s largest historic car races is set for another successful event at Phillip Island
The Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ will once again have upwards of 500 entries featuring cars from every state in Australia plus entries from New Zealand, UK and America for exciting racing over three days 6 – 8 March.
With the strong support of leading automotive parts supplier Burson Auto Parts as naming rights sponsor, long term major sponsors Cooldrive, Penrite and Shannons plus a host of other national and international brands, the Phillip Island Classic enters its 31st year building success upon success.
Internationally recognised, the event has been in the top six in the world on no less than four occasions and is attracting worldwide interest and larger attendance crowds’ year on year.
Of special interest this year will be the UK Chevron B6 Sports Car of Andy Newall, USA Paddins Dowling’s 1939 Maserati 4CL Grand Prix car and the Porsche 356 from USA based Earnest Nagamatsu along with three cars from New Zealand including the JPS BMW 635 which will be driven by another Australian legend, Jim Richards and the famous BMW M3 to be driven by Greg Murphy.
Patron for the 2020 event has been announced as the celebrated Australian motorsport legend Larry Perkins, inaugural European Formula 3 Champion, Touring Car Champion and multiple Bathurst 1000 winner with Peter Brock in 1982 to1984 in the famous Holden Commodore. Larry’s son Jack Perkins will race the fully restored Holden Commodore raced in the 2003 Bathurst event by his father.
The event will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Frank Coad’s win in the Armstrong 500, later to become the Bathurst 1000 and the event will acknowledge the 40th anniversary of Alan Jones World Championship win. Peter Brock will also be remembered, as 2020 represents the 40th anniversary of his first Bathurst win. Super Sprints for 5 litre Touring Cars will also be featured over the race days.
Once again there will be more than 1,000 cars on display with the VHRR receiving overwhelming support from Australian Car Clubs of every marque including the Marcos Car Club, 403 Peugeot and Commodore Car Club.
The VHRR Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport supports a charity each year with special rides around the track and this year all funds raised will go to support ‘The Male Bag Foundation’ headed up by AFL Legend David Parkin.
With children and young people under the age of 17 years admitted free at the gate, it is once again a major family day of motorsport and interest for all ages.
ENDS
22 January 2020
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2019
Largest gathering of Bathurst Winners will attend Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’
Over the long weekend of 8 – 10 March the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport there will be, what is likely to be, the largest ever gathering of Bathurst Winners at one point.
Twelve legends of the sport will be at Phillip Island to enjoy one of the largest historic motor racing events in the world in the 30th Anniversary of the Victorian Historic Register (VHRR). They will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Holden Dealer Team and the 50th Anniversary of Formula Ford in Australia and witness spectacular racing events throughout the weekend.
The true legends of Australian Motorsport including Kevin Bartlett, John Bowe, John French, Fred Gibson, John Harvey, Dick Johnson, Allan Moffatt, Bob Morris, Larry Perkins, Dave Reynolds, Jim Richards and Brian Sampson, will be on hand Saturday and Sunday for patrons and enthusiasts to take advantage of signing opportunities on posters and memorabilia. Collectively these champions have won 27 Bathurst Races. Dick Johnson, founder of Dick Johnson Racing, is Patron of this year’s event.
Among other legends of motorsport in attendance at the Phillip Island Circuit will be Gold Star winner Alfie Costanzo and Supercar sleuth Aaron Noonan.
This year’s Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport will also witness the largest ever assembly of Holden Dealer Team cars at one time.
Proving that motor racing is not an exclusive man’s domain, six women will be racing including the 2018 winner of the six hour race at the Circuit de-Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Rhea Sautter from Germany. Rhea will be driving her lightweight 3.8 E-Type Jaguar.
Other women racing over the weekend will include Samantha Dymond, Joanne Coad, Louise Raper, Jessieca Penn and Gretchen Puccinelli.
Burson Auto Parts are major sponsors of the event with other key sponsors Cooldrive, Shannons, Penrite, General Motors and BP. The Phillip Island ‘Festival of Motorsport’ 2019 is shaping up to be something special with almost 500 entries.
ENDS
27 February 2019
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2019
Many Highlights coming at the 30th Anniversary of Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ in March
The weekend of 8 – 10 March is not only the 30th anniversary of the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’, today regarded as one of the largest historic motor racing events in the world, but a number of major anniversaries are also being highlighted.
Amongst these will be the 50th anniversary of the Formula Ford in Australia with 56 of these iconic cars racing in a feature 40K race on the Sunday for the Perkins Cup to be presented to the winner by motor sport legend Larry Perkins.
The 50th anniversary of the famous Holden Dealer Team will also be celebrated both on the track and in the field with one of the largest group of HDT cars on display over the weekend. Sunday the HDT cars will parade on the track driven by many of the past drivers and mechanics that made this team so successful.
Highlighting the importance of this event, Motor Sport legend Dick Johnson, winner of the 1981, 1987 and 1994 Bathurst and a five time winner of the Australian Touring Championship will be Patron for the event. Many other Australian legends of the sport will also be at the event including John Bowe, John French, Peter Janson, Larry Perkins, Bob Morris, Fred Gibson, Jim Richards, Charlie O’Brien, Allan Moffatt, Peter Byrne, Ian Tate and Frank Lowndes and signing opportunities will be available for patrons on the Saturday and Sunday.
Women in motorsport will be highlighted with at least six women driving throughout the weekend including Rher Sautter from Germany driving her lightweight 3.8 E-Type Jaguar, Samantha Diamond in the Lola Mk1 Sports Car, Joanne Coad in the Vauxhall Special, Louise Raper in the George Reid Special, Jessieca Penn in the Lotus 7 and Gretchen Puccinelli in the Abarth Formula Libre.
The E-Type Jaguar driven by Rhea Sautter has a long history of racing in the USA in the early 70’s and in Europe, winning the 4 hour race at Nordschleife –Nurburgring several times, a track considered the hardest track in the world. Rhea has raced the Jaguar since 2011 she and Andrew Newell won last year’s 6 hour race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
The event has once again drawn major sponsors with Burson Auto Parts as Naming Rights sponsor, long-time sponsors Cooldrive, Penrite and Shannons along with other industry names including 1st time sponsor for the event BP.
Melbourne’s Dutton Garage has entered four very interesting cars with the 962 Group C Porsche to be driven by George Nakas which along with his McLaren M8F Can-Am driven by Jason White will provide serious competition for 956 Group C Porsche of Russ Kemprich who has just returned the car to Australia after an extensive campaign in Europe.
Andrew Cannon AM will race the A9X of Bob Morris in which Bob Morris won the 1979 Australian Drivers’ Championship, beating Peter Brock.
The 2019 Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ has a strong entry of Group C and A cars with some of the fastest cars in Australia in Group A entered the 50K rolling start race on Sunday. James Vernon will race a Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 for B & H Racing. James broke the Group A lap record at the Sandown Historic Race meeting in November 2018 and has just been signed by Garry Rogers Motorsport to drive the Alpha TCR race car.
The Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ is once again shaping up to be an exceptional event on the Australian Motorsport Calendar and one that is recognised and respected internationally.
ENDS
19 February 2019
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2019
Phillip Island Classic Historic Racing in March will feature International and Locally owned World Renowned Cars
The 2019 Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ on 8 – 10 March will feature some of UK’s top historic race cars including the 1964 ex-Salvadori Cooper-Maserati T61P in which Roy Salvadori chased Bruce McLaren to the checkered flag at Silverstone on May 1964.
Also competing will be the Dulon Ferrari Dino 2 litre V6 owned and driven by UK, Dr Keith Martin. The vehicle restored over several years has successfully campaigned at major historic race meetings in Europe and Phillip Island in recent years.
Following a near fatal crash in the late sixties, the now fully restored 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Mk1 which competed in the 2018 Goodwood Revival TT and the Spa 6 hour event will race in feature events at Phillip Island.
Other UK cars entered for the event include a lightweight E Type Jaguar with a long history of racing in the USA in early 1970’s, a Palliser-Winkelmann Formula Ford and the ex David Purley’s 289 Shelby Cobra will be driven by the owner and former Rugby Union International British Lions Vice-Captain David Cooke.
Leading automotive parts company Burson Auto Parts, is once again the proud naming rights sponsor of this prestigious motor sport event. Other major sponsors include Penrite, Shannons and Cooldrive. For Penrite and Shannons it represents a 30 year partnership with the VHRR as supporting sponsors.
Patron for the VHRR 30th Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ is racing legend and icon of Australian motor sport, Dick Johnson. Dick rose to prominence throughout the 1970’s going on to win three Bathurst 1000 titles in 1981, 1989 and 1994 and is a five time winner of the Australian Touring Car Championships in a career spanning more than thirty years. Today Dick is a co-owner of the successful DJR Team Penske Race Team.
With almost 500 entries racing over three days, this prestige international event will also feature strong entries from some of Australia’s iconic drivers such as John Bowe who will be racing Joe Calleja’s ex Carrol Shelby’s Allard with the 331 ci V8 Cadillac and Jim Richards who will once again drive Peter Sturgeon’s ex team JPS BMW 635 coupe, a car which raced in Group C events in 1984.
Melbourne Dutton Garage has entered the 962 Porsche to be driven by George Nakas. To cap it off the weekend of great historic motorsport 56 Formula Fords are entered in the Phillip Island Classic “Festival of Motorsport” celebrating 50 years of Formula Ford. These will race in the feature 40K event on Sunday for the Perkins Cup to be presented by motorsport legend Larry Perkins.
Celebrating 50 years of the Holden Dealer Team, one of the largest assemblies of Holden Dealer Team Cars will be on display and will parade around the track on the Sunday.
For motoring enthusiasts there will be a number of legends of the sport signing autographs including Dick Johnson, Jim Richards, John French, Fred Gibson, John Bowe, Larry Perkins, Charlie O’Brien, Allan Moffatt, Ian Tate, Frank Lowndes, Peter Janson and Bob Morris. There will also be in excess of 1200 classic, veteran and vintage cars on display throughout the weekend covering an amazing range of vehicle marques from the earliest models to the very latest. Look out for the new Ferrari 488 on display in the pits area.
Rides will be available around the track in super cars on Saturday and Sunday with all proceeds going to the YAMS Foundation. Current Supercar hero David Reynolds will drive the Erebus/Penrite promo car in the track rides.
For further information visit the VHRR Website: www.vhrr.com.au
ENDS
15 February 2019
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc,com.au
PRESS RELEASE - October 2018
2019 Dates Set for Phillip Island ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ Historic Racing
Dates for Australia’s largest historic motor racing event, The Phillip Island Classic, have been set down for Friday 8, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March 2019.
Once again these dates fall one week prior to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park which makes it truly an exceptional week of Motor Sport in Melbourne with two of Victoria’s major sporting events.
Recognised as one of the world’s largest historic motor racing events on the international calendar by the number of entries and races held over the three days, the Phillip Island Classic is expected to once again draw more than 500 entries with vehicles from around the world.
2019 marks the 30th Phillip Island Classic event along with other significant anniversaries such as the 60th anniversary of Formula Ford, the 60th anniversary of the Mini, the 50th anniversary of the Holden Dealer Team which first raced at Sandown in 1969, the 50th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Car Club, 50 years of Formula Ford and 51st year of Porsche and it’s also the 50th year of the Bolwell Nagari.
Of significance, 1979 was the last year in which the Holden Torana Hatchback A9X raced with Peter Brock and Jim Richards in their outstanding win in the James Hardie 1000 Bathurst followed by Peter Jansen and Larry Perkins in 2nd place. It was also this year also that Bob Morris won the Touring Car Championship driving a Holden Torana A9X. This special car, now owned by Andrew Cannon, will be racing at Phillip Island over the weekend with Andrew at the wheel.
To mark the anniversary, Formula Ford racing will be highlighted at this event along with Group C & A Touring cars, with feature races on both Saturday and Sunday.
More than 1,000 classic, veteran and vintage cars are also expected to be on display the weekend in March and the Bolwell Car Club will hold its national meeting at Phillip Island over this period.
The Phillip Island Classic is proudly sponsored by Burson Auto Parts with long term support from leading automotive company brands such as Penrite, Shannons, Cooldrive and Ryco Group.
ENDS
11 October 2018
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2018
High Performance Sports Cars and Formula 5000’s to make for a Historic Racing Spectacle at Phillip Island
The VHRR Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ being held at the world renowned Phillip Island circuit on 9 – 11 March 2018 and presented by Burson Auto Parts, will not only celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic Formula 5000 but will feature a number of high performance sports cars not seen before in Australia.
Classic high performance sports racing cars, typical of the European and US categories of the 90’s are to feature strongly at Phillip Island this year. Some of these exceptional vehicles have Le Mans and CAN-AM histories and these will join with domestic cars in what is expected to be some of the most exciting historic racing seen at Phillip Island.
Amongst the group of high performance sports cars will be three Dutton Motorsport entries, the Porsche 962, McLaren M8F and the Le Mans Lola T296 not previously raced here.
Also for the first time in Australia the two Pro-sport 3000’s Group C Cars recently imported from the UK by Robin Swift, one Ferrari powered (No. 11) and the other with a Cosworth (Double Four Valve) (No. 22).
Other new sports cars will include the De Tomaso Mangusta of Perry Spiridis just imported from the USA and the Lola T70 of Ray Narkiewicz.
Exciting racing at its best can be assured with Andy Newall and one other driver flying in from the UK to drive against established and highly competitive local entities of Jamie Larner in his Ralt RT2 and local identity Laurie Bennett in his McLaren M1C, recently returned from very successful racing in Europe. Andy Newall will drive the McLaren M6B.
Heralded as Australia’s largest and recognised internationally in the world’s top ten historic motor race events, the 2018 Phillip Island Classic is shaping up once again to be an exciting spectacle of historic motor sport.
ENDS
24 February 2018
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - February 2018
Classic Historic Racing at its Best at Phillip Island
The Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ is shaping up to be something special, not only celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Formula 5000 but also with classic sports cars racing with some of Australia’s most accomplished past and present drivers with what will be youth challenging experience.
Sunday morning the Phillip Island track will come alive with VHRR Ambassador and Club member, eight times national champion, John Bowe in a 1974 Formula one March along with Guido Belgiorno-Nettis racing in the ex Michele Alboreta Formula One Ferrari Tipo 156/85, against the two current fastest Formula 5000 drivers in Australia, Tom Tweedie and Tim Berryman.
Fresh from a massive 2017 racing season with Erebus Motorsport and winner of the 2017 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with Luke Youlden, Dave Reynolds will be competing in an historic Trans Am Mustang. The 29 year old Reynolds is also a proud VHRR Club member and is sponsored by a major sponsor of the event, Penrite Oil.
Those attending Phillip Island will witness the Carroll Shelby’s Allard JX2 Chassis No. 3146, racing for the first time in Australia. The Joe Calleja owned Allard under its original racing colours and number 11 will be driven by John Bowe over the weekend.
Originally delivered to Roy Cherryholmes in Texas in 1952 the car was raced by legendary Carroll Shelby in SCCA races on airfields in Texas and the Midwest winning four and a second place out of five races and also raced in the Bruenos Aires 1000km in 1954 with a 10th placing. This drew the attention of Aston Martin leading to a full time ride for Shelby in 1954 through to the end of his racing career which culminated with a LeMans win in 1959. The 1952 Cadillac 331 engine was fully rebuilt in 2015, balanced and blueprinted.
Also from the Calleja collection is the 1973 Formula One March 3 in its original colours as raced by Niki Lauda, a 1966 Corvette and a 1969 Mustang.
Adding to the list of high profile automotive sponsors for the event such as Burson Auto Parts, Shannons, Penrite and Cooldrive; Ryco Filters, the automotive filtration market leader, has just announced their sponsorship.
In making the announcement, Ryco Group Chief Executive Officer Guy Nicholls commented, “This is just such a high profile outstanding event attracting large crowds and outstanding historic cars and drivers, that the company is proud to be involved in supporting classic motor sport racing with the classic Ryco name”.
ENDS
13 February 2018
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - January 2018
Burson Auto Parts puts its name to Australia’s Largest Historic Motor Racing Event
Leading automotive parts supplier Burson Auto Parts has taken up the major sponsorship and naming rights of Australia’s largest historic motor race event, the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ to be held 9 -11 March 2018.
In announcing the major sponsorship agreement, Executive General Manager – Burson Trade, Craig McGill commented that the Phillip Island Classic was not only Australia’s largest historic motor race event but was recognised as one of the largest in the world by the number of entries and races over the three day event. “Many of the 400+ competitors and support crews have a strong motor trade connection making it a perfect fit for Burson Auto Parts and the event is well established on the international motor racing calendar” he said.
Organised by the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) the prestigious event has been placed in the top ten historic race events in the world over the last five years against renowned events such as the Goodwood Revival and Laguna Seca.
The 2018 event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Formula 5000 and will feature Trans-Tasman rivalry at its best in the International Challenge with more than 30 Formula 5000 racing over three days. VHRR Formula 5000 Group Representative Bob Harborow commented that it was not generally known that the Formula 5000 race cars are faster than the current V8 Supercars and there will be longer races showcasing such vehicles as the A50 Matich and the MR8 Elfin 5000.
Proudly presented by Burson Auto Parts, the event also attracts a host of other long term sponsors including Shannons, Penrite, Cooldrive among other leading names.
Strong support is being provided by leading motor vehicle marques with the supply of safety and course cars plus display vehicles from Mustang Motorsport, Porsche and Mercedes Benz.
Of significant interest to many visitors to the Phillip Island Classic this year will be the launch of the latest RS3 Roush Mustang by Mustang Motorsport. Such is the importance of the launch of the legendary USA marque’s new model that Roush Performance will be represented at Phillip Island by President - Gary Jurick, International Manager - Tony Marzelak and Chief Production Manager - Kevin Mcloughlin supporting the team from Mustang Motorsport,
Also at the Phillip Island event the VHRR is supporting the ‘Hear for You’ charity which provides aid to children with hearing disabilities. The charity will have a 392 HP Dodge Charger on display in the Expo Centre with raffle tickets available for purchase over the weekend of racing, to win this highly sought after vehicle.
ENDS
31 January 2018
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - November 2017
Phillip Island Classic 2018 Dedicated to Celebrate 50 Years of Formula 5000 Racing
Regarded as one of the largest historic racing events in the world, the 2018 Phillip Island Classic will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the spectacular Formula 5000 worldwide racing with a field of more than 30 cars from Australia and New Zealand.
Set for 9th to 11th March, 2018, at the highly acclaimed Phillip Island circuit, the event will create international interest with five legends of Formula 5000 racing confirmed as patrons for the 50th celebratory year event.
The patrons include Alfredo (Alfie) Constanzo retired Italian born Australian racing driver who competed in four Australian Grand Prix and won four Australian Drivers’ Championships, equalling the record set by Bib Stillwell.
Kevin Bartlett – often known as ‘KB’ is a former Australian open wheel and touring racing driver who won the Australian Drivers’ Championship in 1968 and in 1969, as well as the Bathurst 1000 in 1974 and was named in Wheels Magazine’s Annual Year Book in 2004 as one of Australia’s 50 greatest race drivers.
Alan Hamilton – Twice Australian Sports Car Drivers’ Champion, Porsche Importer and Team Owner and four times winner of the Gold Star Championship with Alfie Constanzo. Alan was third in the 1971 Australian Grand Prix and second at Bathurst in 1974 with Colin Bond.
Tasmanian, John McCormack became one of the leading Formula 5000 racers in the 1970’s winning the Australian Drivers’ Championship three times. John won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1973/74 and as well as racing open wheelers he raced sport sedans and touring cars.
Ken Smith MBE from New Zealand won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1976, 1990 and in 2004 and raced Formula Ford, Formula 5000, Formula Pacific, Formula Mondial and Toyota Racing Series. Ken has competed over 59 consecutive seasons on the motor racing circuit. He has won the Gold Star Drivers Award five times, Formula 5000 Revival three times, the Penang Grand Prix three times, the Selanger twice and the Malaysian Grand Prix once. In 1995 Ken was inducted into the New Zealand motorsport Hall of Fame.
VHRR Formula 5000 Group Representative Bob Harborow commented “We will witness some spectacular racing and no doubt some great Trans-Tasman rivalry in the International Challenge at Phillip Island in March as the Formula 5000 cars are currently faster than the V8 Supercars racing. To showcase this and celebrate the Formula 5000’s some of the races will be longer and patrons will witness cars such as the A50 Matich car which won the Australian Grand Prix and the MR8 Elfin 5000 of Garrrie Cooper and Vern Schuppan which raced at both Laguna Seca, and Watkins Glen, USA,” he said.
The Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ is hosted by the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) under the direction of veteran leader Ian Tate and a dedicated committee of volunteers who jointly make this an outstanding motor sport event that is internationally acclaimed.
ENDS
13 November 2017
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - January 2017
Leading Automotive Company Confirms Naming Rights of Major Historic Motor Racing at Phillip Island
Leading automotive wholesale company Burson Auto Parts and its associated retail arm, the autObarn group, has announced a major sponsorship and naming rights agreement with the VHRR to proudly present the 2017 Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motor Sport’ Historic Racing.
Announcing the agreement VHRR Chairman Ian Tate also announced the continuing support of key long-time major sponsors of the event, Penrite, Shannons and CoolDrive who all combine to make the event one of the world’s largest and most recognised historic racing events in the world.
Such is the prestige of this event that other sponsors names include Bosch, Mercedes-Benz Melbourne, VACC, Holden HSV, Mustang Motor Sport, Dutton Garage. Cope Williams Winery, Splitrock and Tiro.
Confirming its place in the world of historic motor racing, the event to be staged at Phillip Island on 17 – 19 March 2017, will host a large field of international cars with 15 from United Kingdom, 6 from USA plus a number from New Zealand including the Mark Petch Turbo Volvo which will be driven by event Patron John Bowe and Jim Richards driving Peter Sturgeon’s JPS 635 BMW.
The C & A category for touring cars from 1973 to 1992 will be keenly contested with a large entry list, not only including John Bowe and Jim Richards but Glen Seaton driving Rusty French’s Ford Sierra.
International cars include the fully restored Monzanapolis Lister Jaguar built by Ecuri Ecosse to contest the ‘Race of Two Worlds’ on the banked oval track at Monza against Stirling Moss driving the Maserati “Eldorado Special’ and the all American Indy cars.
Amongst the field of the pre-61 Grand Prix cars will be the rare front engine Scarab of Julian Bronson, a driver with an enviable racing record.
Others include two ERA’s, one - ERA R108B built in 1938 and raced in Britain, France and Italy and notably the winner of the 1938 Australian Grand Prix and the Rob Roy Hill Climb and a second – the ERA B known as ‘Remus’ previously owned by Prince Birabongse (generally known as Prince Bira of Thailand), driven by Charles McCabe. The GT111 racing at Phillip Island is one of four roadsters built by FAV in 1965 and raced in the 1965 Targa Florio. Rebuilt to its original specifications it is today the only example in the world and is often seen racing in high profile races throughout Europe.
It is expected that there will be eight Coopers racing in the pre-60’s race including the Grand Prix Cooper 51,#F2-1-59 with the Coventry Climax FPF 2500cc engine, restored by John Harper in 2000-2002 which has been successfully and consistently campaigned in the UK and across Europe including many HGPCA events throughout Europe and at the Goodwood Revival and Members meetings.
VHRR UK Ambassador, Andy Newell will be racing the 622 Elfin of Geoff Brown at the event.
Sydney’s Guido Belgiorno-Nettis will race the ex Michelle Alboreto F1 Turbo Ferrari from the 1985 season and ex Allan Jones Lola/Hart will be driven by Ian Ross, John Bowe will drive the 1974 F1 March Cosworth and John Gale will race the 1973 F1 BRM.
With many international and leading Australian drivers competing, this will truly be a festival of Motor Sport bringing back history in Motor Sport.
Entries are closing for the event on 3 February with record entries and crowds expected over the three days of racing.
For more information on this major historic motor sport event visit www.vhrr.com.au or phone (03) 9877 2317.
ENDS
19 January 2017
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - December 2016
International Cars Set to Dazzle Crowds at 2017 Phillip Island Classic Historic Race
With high levels of interest from UK and European motor racing enthusiasts and owners of cars with international motor sport provenance, the 2017 event at Phillip Island will live on as one of the most important motor race events in the world of historic racing.
Recognised in the International Historic Motoring Awards in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and short listed in the top ten historic motor sport events in the world on other occasions, the Phillip Island Classic is now well established on the international calendar attracting priceless cars that have raced on the world’s most famous racing circuits, driven by some of the legends of motor racing.
“The Patron for the 2017 event at Phillip Island was recently announced as Dick Johnson but due to overseas commitments this role has now been filled by another legend of Australian Motor Sport, 40 year veteran John Bowe,” said Ian Tate, Chairman of the VHRR Organising Committee. “John has partnered with Dick on many occasions and the pair won Bathurst together in a Sierra on 1989,” he said.
With more than 500 entries and record crowds expected, the 2017 event will have a strong representation of production touring cars Group N, and Group C & A cars. Of particular importance will be the 30th anniversary celebration marking the 1st win in the world for a Ford Sierra with Dick Johnson at the wheel in Australia. To mark the occasion it is expected that there will be up to ten Sierra’s racing at Phillip Island next year. The spectacular Group JK & LB sports and racing cars with a competition history prior to the end of 1960 also create great interest from spectators at this exciting motor sport event. Event Patron John Bowe will also be racing at Phillip Island over that weekend.
Along with the Sierras there will be more than 10 Formula 5000’s – pre 1978, Formula 1’s and Indy cars racing. Some of Australia’s most celebrated Grand Prix and Touring Car past champions will be available on the day for special autograph signing sessions.
The Phillip Island Classic – Festival of Motor Sport is supported by major national and international sponsors including CoolDrive, Shannons, Penrite, Dutton Garage, Wurth, Splitrock, VACC, Bosch, plus a host of other names.
“Mark the dates of 18 and 19 March 2017 on your diary to witness legends of motor sport and historic cars racing on one of the world’s finest race tracks,” said Ian Tate.
ENDS
1 December 2016
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
PRESS RELEASE - September 2016
Dick Johnson announced as Patron of 2017 Phillip Island Classic Historic Race
Under the direction of Peter Brock’s ex Chief Mechanic and race engine specialist, Ian Tate, Chairman of the VHRR Phillip Island organising committee, the Patron for the 2017 event has been announced as Australian motor sport legend Dick Johnson.
With high levels of interest from UK and European motor racing enthusiasts and owners of cars with international motor sport provenance, the 2017 event at Phillip Island will live on as one of the most important motor race events in the world of historic racing.
Recognised in the International Historic Motoring Awards in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and short listed in the top ten historic motor sport events in the world on other occasions the Phillip Island Classic is now well established on the international calendar attracting priceless cars that have won on the world’s most famous racing tracks driven by many of the legends of motor racing.
With more than 500 entries expected (the 2016 event attracted 550) the 2017 event will be built around production touring cars Group N, and Group C & A cars, celebrating in particular the 30th anniversary of the 1st win in a world championship race for a Ford Sierra with Dick Johnson at the wheel in Australia. To mark the occasion it is expected that there will be up to ten Sierra’s racing at Phillip Island next year. The spectacular Group JK & LB sports and racing cars with a competition history prior to the end of 1960 also create great interest from spectators at this exciting motor sport event.
Along with the Sierras there will be more than 10 Formula 5000’s – pre 1978, Formula 1’s and Indy cars racing with the likelihood also of high speed 5 litre regularity races with cars from 1993 – 2005 era. Many of Australia’s most celebrated Touring Car and Grand Prix past champions will be available on the day for special autograph signings sessions.
The Phillip Island Classic – Festival of Motor Sport is supported by major national and international sponsors including CoolDrive, Shannons, Penrite, Dutton Garage, Splitrock, VACC, Bosch, plus a host of other companies.
A firm date for the 2017 event is to be announced shortly but this is tentatively set down for 18 / 19 March, one week prior to the Australian Grand Prix.
ENDS
7 September 2016
For further information:
Ian Tate
Chairman
VHRR Phillip Island Classic Management Committee
Phone: (03) 9877 2317
Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au
