Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motor Sport

March 19-21

Phillip Island - On Top Of The World

The Victorian Historic Racing Register was formed 21 years ago out of the efforts of Peter Brennan, David Caffin and Ian Tate. Today the club is considered to be one of the best organising bodies in historic motor racing anywhere, having just pulled off an absolutely top class event at Phillip Island, bearing testament not only to the Australian people’s passion for motor sport, but also their ability to get things done. The VHRR has earned accolades from those who have experience and high expectations.

Rod Jolley on the climb out of Siberia (turn6) with some of Phillip Island’s famous surf in the background. He won all his races until he had to retire after hand-to-hand combat with his wheel!

The majestic setting and world-class track no doubt have a lot to do with all the enthusiasm. UK driver Andy Newall said he rates the Island right up there amongst the very best circuits and, with no chicanes, it gives immense joy to the drivers, even after travelling half way round the world. Andy was driving in Groups M (Racing and Sports Cars 1961–1965) and O (Racing and Sports Cars 1966-1969) with Gordon McCulloch in a 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ1 and in the invitation class in a 1975 Alfa Romeo T33, and also in the invited class in Group Q (cars up to 1977) and R (a kind of allcomers grid up to ’78 with various cut-off dates by class) in a 1965 Brabham BT26.

	One of the local Victorian competitors Paul Zazryn leading the pack in his Mk11 Jaguar during one of weekends Historic Touring car events

The meeting attracted a record number of entries - 584 cars - as well as what event spokesman Ian Tate has called 'the greatest line-up of famous Australian drivers ever assembled at an historic race meeting.

'

Heading it was three-time World Formula 1 champion Sir Jack Brabham with able support from Kevin Bartlett, Alan Moffat, Bob Jane, Colin Bond, Alfredo Costanzo, John Bowe, Jim Richards, Fred Gibson, John French, Harry Firth and Alan Hamilton amongst others.

New South Wales driver Paul Duffy struggling to keep his Austin Healey 3000 Mk1 on track

Several anniversaries were also being celebrated, including the centenary of the Alfa Romeo marque, the 50th anniversary of the Armstrong 500, the event that pre-dated the Bathurst 1000, and the 40th anniversary of the Holden Torana. Alfa sent the legendary 159 for demonstration runs.

View From the Tower

Watching the last F5000 race from the control tower, the spectacle of the field doing the warm up followed by the form up with Bass Straight in the background was quite beautiful. The Clerk of the Course sporting a well-worn cockies hat had the final say. “That was a cracker of a race”, he said. You can’t get much more Aussie than that!