42 replies to this topic

[KarlLeFong]

I am going to Longford on April 1st for the revival.

I am wondering who knows what about it all?

Reading the website etc .. I assume/have heard, the following:

Sir Jack will be there?
John Surtees?
Don Thallon's Yeoman Credit 2.7 lowline Cooper T53 for Surtees?
Frank Matich?
The Lotus 39?
Spencer Martin ?

Palmer?
Hyslop?
Shelly?

Long gone are Whiteford, Davison, Jones, Gray, Lukey, Jones, Mildren, Glass, Patterson, Stillwell. Miller, Youl , Mckay, Jolly..et al

Anybody have anymore details please?

Karl

[Lola5000]

I am going to Longford on April 1st for the revival.

I am wondering who knows what about it all?

Reading the website etc .. I assume/have heard, the following:

Sir Jack will be there?
John Surtees?
Don Thallon's Yeoman Credit 2.7 lowline Cooper T53 for Surtees?
Frank Matich?
The Lotus 39?
Spencer Martin ?

Palmer?
Hyslop?
Shelly?

Long gone are Whiteford, Davison, Jones, Gray, Lukey, Jones, Mildren, Glass, Patterson, Stillwell. Miller, Youl , Mckay, Jolly..et al

Anybody have anymore details please?

Karl

will Big Petes Mustang be there?

[Ellis French]

will Big Petes Mustang be there?

The Elliot /Pare Mustang and ex Clark Lotus 39 hopefully will be there.

Not too many locals I wouldnt imagine from conversations I have had over past week or so with the entry fee at around $690 for several runs down the Flying Mile which can be done any day of the week albiet only at the legal speed limit.
The Shannons Show may attract some of the non cashed up but prospective entrants, for a static display.

Edited by Ellis French, 26 January 2011 - 11:55.

[KarlLeFong]

The Elliot /Pare Mustang and Elliot /Pare Lotus Cortina and ex Clark Lotus 39 hopefully will be there.

Not too many locals I wouldnt imagine from conversations I have had over past week or so with the entry fee at around $690 for several runs down the Flying Mile which can be done any day of the week albiet only at the legal speed limit.
The Shannons Show may attract some of the non cashed up but prospective entrants, for a static display.

Not encouraging Ellis..

Any big names and cars ?

Brabham ,Surtees , Amon etc??

[KarlLeFong]

Not encouraging Ellis..

Any big names and cars ?

Brabham ,Surtees , Amon etc??

Any further information?

[Lola5000]

Any further information?

I was over there in october for the Melbourne Mille,my old E-type did 1,400 miles in 5 days never missed a beat.

[stuartbrs]

I was over there in october for the Melbourne Mille,my old E-type did 1,400 miles in 5 days never missed a beat.

I`m hoping it will be very good... the Baskerville historic meet was good.. I dont know how good comapred to the really big meets, but it certainly had a nice Tasmanian feel to it, friendly and open.

I hope Longford works, I really do.. Longford has a special atmosphere even before you add proper racing cars.. I wish them all the best, and I will be going for sure, and I know a lot of people that are which is a good sign.

[SJ Lambert]

Not too many locals I wouldnt imagine from conversations I have had over past week or so with the entry fee at around $690 for several runs down the Flying Mile which can be done any day of the week albiet only at the legal speed limit.

Ditto - $690 entry fee is not the way to go.................one suspects organisers will offer Targa entrants some sort of package and that'll result in a number of modern cars running up and down the Flying Mile together with a paucity of period cars..........

[cavvy]

Ditto - $690 entry fee is not the way to go.................one suspects organisers will offer Targa entrants some sort of package and that'll result in a number of modern cars running up and down the Flying Mile together with a paucity of period cars..........

Was some talk of either Damon Hill or his son Josh (currently racing in NZ) in the ex Graeme Hill Brabham BT11a owned by Bob Jane - did anything eventuate?

Edited by cavvy, 28 January 2011 - 22:14.

[KarlLeFong]

Was some talk of either Damon Hill or his son Josh (currently racing in NZ) in the ex Graeme Hill Brabham BT11a owned by Bob Jane - did anything eventuate?

Damon Hill. or his son, in the 1964 winning Scuderia Veloce Brabham would make the trip worthwhile.

But what of others?

Brabham
Surtees
Matich
Finch
Walton

My golf playing nephew wants a weekend in Tassie but t I am not sure

karl

[Geoff Smedley]

Damon Hill. or his son, in the 1964 winning Scuderia Veloce Brabham would make the trip worthwhile.

But what of others?

Brabham
Surtees
Matich
Finch
Walton

My golf playing nephew wants a weekend in Tassie but t I am not sure

karl

Not looking at all good! It seems that making it up as we go along approach and no updates so close to the event it will be a struggle to see anything there at all!! I'd say fingers out chappies....Smed

[KarlLeFong]

Not looking at all good! It seems that making it up as we go along approach and no updates so close to the event it will be a struggle to see anything there at all!! I'd say fingers out chappies....Smed

Thanks Geoff,

You have confirmed my fears..

Maybe the Lotus 39......but what of the others?

As much as I love Au specials, I don't want to fly to Tasmania to see what I can see at Phillip Island.


I was hoping Longford would bring back to us the magic...of the Tasman and pre-Tasman era.

A Shannons' "Shine and Show" is not what i am looking for...

Karl

[Geoff Smedley]

Thanks Geoff,

You have confirmed my fears..

Maybe the Lotus 39......but what of the others?

As much as I love Au specials, I don't want to fly to Tasmania to see what I can see at Phillip Island.


I was hoping Longford would bring back to us the magic...of the Tasman and pre-Tasman era.

A Shannons' "Shine and Show" is not what i am looking for...

Karl

It is not my plan to talk down the proposal but to revive longford would be like reviving James Clark, Tim Mayor etc...etc, the circuit has passed on and no longer there and the flying mile is today a bit wobbley for fast vehicles so even with Tasmanian Government Support far from makes it into a viable event, I rest my case!!....Smed

[Ellis French]

Thanks Geoff,

You have confirmed my fears..
Maybe the Lotus 39......but what of the others?
As much as I love Au specials, I don't want to fly to Tasmania to see what I can see at Phillip Island.
I was hoping Longford would bring back to us the magic...of the Tasman and pre-Tasman era.
A Shannons' "Shine and Show" is not what i am looking for...

Karl

I heard the latter part of an ABC radio report today which said some "special" Porsche (plural) were coming from Germany ?.
Not sure whether they have any Longford signifigance tho.

The Flying Mile entries stood at about 25 10 days ago according to a local entrant. Not sure if thats an official number.

Info is hard to come by.
I put an expression of interest entry (period log booked Humpy) in at least 3-4 months ago and havnt had a response but an associate (an ex competitor in a replica of his Longford 65-68 Humpy) who's entry was in the same envelope as mine , has received some info. The wheels seem to be turning..... slowly. His initial response paper work didnt demand an entry fee so can only assume ex Competitors may get a free entry?. but then maybe not....A Hobart ex Longford Competitor entered 2 cars one of which is a replica of his old Longford car and got a bill for 2 x 690. I dont think he will be going.

[KarlLeFong]

I heard the latter part of an ABC radio report today which said some "special" Porsche (plural) were coming from Germany ?.
Not sure whether they have any Longford signifigance tho.

The Flying Mile entries stood at about 25 10 days ago according to a local entrant. Not sure if thats an official number.

Info is hard to come by.
I put an expression of interest entry (period log booked Humpy) in at least 3-4 months ago and havnt had a response but an associate (an ex competitor in a replica of his Longford 65-68 Humpy) who's entry was in the same envelope as mine , has received some info. The wheels seem to be turning..... slowly. His initial response paper work didnt demand an entry fee so can only assume ex Competitors may get a free entry?. but then maybe not....A Hobart ex Longford Competitor entered 2 cars one of which is a replica of his old Longford car and got a bill for 2 x 690. I dont think he will be going.

The Porsche's are coming to Phillip Island ..they have no relevance to Longford, but I am sure they would add to the spectacle..

But surely, if it is a Longford Revival in the true sense of the word, we need what core drivers and cars remain......

Brabham
Amon
Matich
Martin
Brown
Palmer
Hyslop
etc

oops
Janey
etc


Karl

[cooper997]

When 'this' Longford Revival was announced with a specialist organiser and government money I thought it might have a chance. I still hope it does. But my fingers were burnt for early booking a ticket for vehicle and self on the boat and airfares for an ex girlfirend and her 2 kids from Melbourne to Launceston for the event that was supposed to happen in March 11 - 14, 2005. The event was cancelled, but I was committed having spent the money to get there.

Had a great time wondering around finding the hidden bits of this great circuit and seeing Tasmania for the following week. Also met F1 journo, Adam Cooper at the viaduct. But it was somewhat less than I had hoped to see.

Yes the circuit as a whole is long gone, with a complete lap, even walking hindered by the lack of major infrastructure. But given we are all motor racing/motoring tragics on here, there's enough to feel the ghosts of races past...

Maybe the organisers better make some 'cheaper' entries available and make the event happen. Before there's egg on theirs and government faces. And if ever we punters want to see any form of motor racing type event at Longford we better not hold off 'til next year.

Stephen

[KarlLeFong]

When 'this' Longford Revival was announced with a specialist organiser and government money I thought it might have a chance. I still hope it does. But my fingers were burnt for early booking a ticket for vehicle and self on the boat and airfares for an ex girlfirend and her 2 kids from Melbourne to Launceston for the event that was supposed to happen in March 11 - 14, 2005. The event was cancelled, but I was committed having spent the money to get there.

Had a great time wondering around finding the hidden bits of this great circuit and seeing Tasmania for the following week. Also met F1 journo, Adam Cooper at the viaduct. But it was somewhat less than I had hoped to see.

Yes the circuit as a whole is long gone, with a complete lap, even walking hindered by the lack of major infrastructure. But given we are all motor racing/motoring tragics on here, there's enough to feel the ghosts of races past...

Maybe the organisers better make some 'cheaper' entries available and make the event happen. Before there's egg on theirs and government faces. And if ever we punters want to see any form of motor racing type event at Longford we better not hold off 'til next year.

Stephen

You going April 1st Stephen?....You could meet Landscape Drive, but he said to me no ALF talk!!

Karl

[cooper997]

Karl,

In principal, I'd love to go and I should get off my lazy backside and get out of Melbourne for a few days. But I'd need to procrastinate the logistics a bit harder. Fly in... or take the little French mistress (Renaultsport Clio) and have some fun on those roads... or take the accommodation... or just be boring and stay home and go to work.

Is your brother still there in Landscape Drive?

Stephen

[KarlLeFong]

Karl,

In principal, I'd love to go and I should get off my lazy backside and get out of Melbourne for a few days. But I'd need to procrastinate the logistics a bit harder. Fly in... or take the little French mistress (Renaultsport Clio) and have some fun on those roads... or take the accommodation... or just be boring and stay home and go to work.

Is your brother still there in Landscape Drive?

Stephen

Yup he still there...go knock on his door.... just don't mention Brock or AFL..hehehe

Forget Boat we flying

Karl

[eldougo]

http://www.longfordr...rdfestival.html


The website has no entry list and very weak in INFO. Its not looking good when tomorrow is the 1st of Feb 2011.

[BMH Comic]

The Elliot /Pare Mustang and ex Clark Lotus 39 hopefully will be there.

Not too many locals I wouldnt imagine from conversations I have had over past week or so with the entry fee at around $690 for several runs down the Flying Mile which can be done any day of the week albiet only at the legal speed limit.
The Shannons Show may attract some of the non cashed up but prospective entrants, for a static display.

I hear that the enties are very good!

The Comic Book is on its way to Tassie, we have confirmed all of our bookings. We will fly the flag for the West! It will be a case motor sport cleverly disguised as a holiday for us.
I agree the price is a bit?????? but nothing like the cost for the trailer and tow vehicle on the boat, It was cheaper to go to NZ in a container. They must know by the date of the bookings and that you have a trailer that you are a motor sport competitor and charge accordingly. It must be very easy for the shipping line to sponsor the event when they recover the cost direct from the competitor.

[KarlLeFong]

I hear that the enties are very good!

The Comic Book is on its way to Tassie, we have confirmed all of our bookings. We will fly the flag for the West! It will be a case motor sport cleverly disguised as a holiday for us.
I agree the price is a bit?????? but nothing like the cost for the trailer and tow vehicle on the boat, It was cheaper to go to NZ in a container. They must know by the date of the bookings and that you have a trailer that you are a motor sport competitor and charge accordingly. It must be very easy for the shipping line to sponsor the event when they recover the cost direct from the competitor.

Any meaningful updates?

I am about ready to pull the pin

Brabham?
Surtees?
Matich?
Palmer?
Martin?
Amon?
Et Al


Karl

[Lola5000]

Any meaningful updates?

I am about ready to pull the pin

Brabham?
Surtees?
Matich?
Palmer?
Martin?
Amon?
Et Al


Karl

I'd flick it sounds like a waste of time.

[Geoff Smedley]

I'd flick it sounds like a waste of time.

Just remember the date is - April the first!!

[Geoff Smedley]

It comes as a great surprise and shock that the plug has been pulled on the Longford revival. Started in 2011 breathing heavy in 2012 when the 4 year government funding ran out, 2013,it was held over one year then officially abandoned in 2014 making it easy to write the history of the event. The perpetrators have fled the scene but still following on with the motor sport theme well away from Tasmania but who knows we may hear of a revival in another state should their government too be sucked in big talkers with little ability.!.....Smed.

[Lee Nicolle]

Geoff, I read that a couple of weeks ago on I think Speed Café.
I feel the entry priced many competitors out of it. And prospective entrys that they never 'came back' too.
Tassy has a smelly reputation for this sort of thing. I nearly burnt myself in the late 90s for a 2 weekend Sports Sedan deal. Which was cancelled through lack of numbers. Others too have been offered subsidies that have not eventuated in road racing and speedway.
The creek between the mainland and Tassy always will be the stumbling block. High entrys coupled with high [and some times hard to get] transport will always make events there iffy. Targa Tas seems to get some sort of subsidy. I one went over [in the 90s] on the same boat as many of the cars, as well as the Sports Sedan Championship and Production Car Campionship too at Symons the same weekend.
The Australian Sprintcar Title this weekend is proof of that. Around 40 entrys I believe. That after 110 at Warnambool last weekend for the Classic.

[stuartbrs]

There were pretty healthy mainland entries for the IP championship in 2012...

 

Lee is mostly right though, there needs to be some kind of subsidy on the Ferry for these events to really work well. And it works both ways, there is no subsidy offered for Tasmanian entrants that wish to compete on the Northern Island...

 

Having said that, there are an awful lot of rare and expensive racing cars in Tasmania that don't get a chance to come out and play...

[275 GTB-4]

How is the discussion about tourism versus freight carrier going anyway? Seems like a no-brainer to me....how can a  Ferry compete with airlines? and why should it be made to?

[Lee Nicolle]

How is the discussion about tourism versus freight carrier going anyway? Seems like a no-brainer to me....how can a  Ferry compete with airlines? and why should it be made to?

Mick, if you need to transport a racecar to Taswegia it costs **** loads.I have yet to see someone carry their racecar as carry on luggage on a airplane! Reputedly the ferry is subsidised, more so for Taswegians going to the mainland. BUT,,,, the principal industry in Tassy for decades is tourism,, and hydro power stations! So it needs better subsidies both ways. Fly in and catch a bus is not the way to see the place!
I had family there so have spent plenty on ferrys on my dozen or so visits.

[275 GTB-4]

Mick, if you need to transport a racecar to Taswegia it costs **** loads.I have yet to see someone carry their racecar as carry on luggage on a airplane! Reputedly the ferry is subsidised, more so for Taswegians going to the mainland. BUT,,,, the principal industry in Tassy for decades is tourism,, and hydro power stations! So it needs better subsidies both ways. Fly in and catch a bus is not the way to see the place!
I had family there so have spent plenty on ferrys on my dozen or so visits.

Understand all that Lee, and that was my point, The Spirit is funded as a tourism asset (which no doubt it is, however comma) and has to compete with the airlines (which it can not) but maybe should be funded on a more competitive freight and passenger basis because of its strategic value and enormous benefit to Taswegia!

BTW you can put a race car in a freight carrying aeroplane...and people often do.

 

BBTW my elderly parents might disagree with you about fly in hop on the bus....horses for courses mate.....Cheers, Mick

[Ray Bell]

For some months of the year, I think it's April to October, every passenger on the boat from Melbourne can have a car (or trailer) travel free...

 

I guess motor sport is a summer thing?

[stuartbrs]

It can be cheaper to freight a car to from Hobart to NZ, than it is from Hobart to Melbourne.... A lot of the blame rest squarely on the silly union rules when loading the ferry`s up though. Having club registration on your racing car can help as well. I`m sure the TT line has been asked about subsidies to help with some of the larger motorsport events for mainland competitors. Hopefully something will come of that. Surely getting more people into the state to spend their dollars is a good thing.

 

Really, it should cost the same as trailering your car from Melbourne to Sydney.

[jcurran]

It can be cheaper to freight a car to from Hobart to NZ, than it is from Hobart to Melbourne.... A lot of the blame rest squarely on the silly union rules when loading the ferry`s up though. Having club registration on your racing car can help as well. I`m sure the TT line has been asked about subsidies to help with some of the larger motorsport events for mainland competitors. Hopefully something will come of that. Surely getting more people into the state to spend their dollars is a good thing.

 

Really, it should cost the same as trailering your car from Melbourne to Sydney.

 

There are two main issues with the Longford Event as I see them:

 

1) The event was taken out of club hands and given to an event promoter, which by nature are in it to make money and attribute overhead costs of business and wages to the profit and loss statements. As such they need to make a clear profit in order to continue running the event. If the event was organised and run by a club, then much of the costs would be taken by voluntary labour, both in admin and "hands on deck". The event may have been more amateurish and taken longer to develop profile, but would have sat on a much better financial footing with realistic costs structures and entry fees etc. Keep in mind most motorsport events for historic vehicles that are successful and profitable are run by clubs, as is mainstream circuit racing outside of V8s.

 

2) Bass Straight freight. This is a major issue for all Motorsport events in Tas or tassie competitors wishing to compete on the mainland (unless you are a V8 team!). As soon as you hook a trailer on the back of a car the costs for the ferry ride skyrockets (unless its a caravan!). The cost of a car and trailer is significantly more expensive than two cars. 

The second part of the problem is actual space for cars with trailers on the boats. There are numerous examples of competitors wishing to travel between Vic and Tas or Tas and Vic for events, that have not been able to get passage for cars and trailers, yet there can still be space for booking cars. This is a shameful situation. The operators however are adamant that no problem exists! One of the key contributors to the issue is the volume freight (trucks & trailers) that are shipped daily.

I can only hope that in time the situation improves and there are more spaces available across Bass Straight, at a realistic cost. I think this will however take considerable political pressure from both sides of the ditch, and probably changes to the current freight shipping arrangements i.e. more freight space on other boats, rather than using the passenger boats so heavily for freight.

 

I can only hope one of the local clubs will step into the void and pick up the pieces of Longford and get it up and running in the future, the permit costs and insurance aren't the main cost issue! And hopefully the freight issue will get better in time also with a little political pressure applied in the right places.

[Dale Harvey]

A Tasmanian that I know has built his car trailer to be like a caravan to deal with those shipping costs.

Dale.

[Lee Nicolle]

For some months of the year, I think it's April to October, every passenger on the boat from Melbourne can have a car (or trailer) travel free...
 
I guess motor sport is a summer thing?

I am out of date on Tassy things these days. There is/was 3 fare rates. The busy summer season is far more expensive. Autumn is next expensive.
From memory everybody paid except the driver, you are there to accompany the vehicle so travel 'free'.
But to take a trailer, caravan across is bloody expensive. Even campers and the like pay more. My trip over with the Targa cars and road racers was race cars being driven on to the boat and being picked up by locals at Devonport, or in some cases being driven to the track. You cant do that though with a Sports Sedan or a Sprintcar! Though some Sports Sedans have been known to travel on the boat without a trailer. Scarey! As the deck is full of tie points, and the dip on and off would not be great for a real low car either.Plus they put cars in some very tight spots too. One trip I could not even get to my car until others had moved. The loaders have a good eye for space. And you have to back on! That was exciting watching Chas Kelley back his Ferrari on. Quite low and no rear vision!

[stuartbrs]

Spirit of Tasmania Fares are listed here.

 

http://www.spiritoft...a.com.au/fares/

[Catalina Park]

I took my HQ over on a Vicroads unregistered vehicle permit, it was $20 each way at that time for the car.
If I had stuck it on a trailer behind my F100 it would have been about $1400 all up.
They did insist on real registration and not travel permits later on. I don't know what the rules are these days but when I went I read the rulebook carefully!

Back then it was said that the Ferry was subsidised by the Federal Government as a National Highway.

[Lola5000]

I am going to Longford on April 1st for the revival.

I am wondering who knows what about it all?

Reading the website etc .. I assume/have heard, the following:

Sir Jack will be there?
John Surtees?
Don Thallon's Yeoman Credit 2.7 lowline Cooper T53 for Surtees?
Frank Matich?
The Lotus 39?
Spencer Martin ?

Palmer?
Hyslop?
Shelly?

Long gone are Whiteford, Davison, Jones, Gray, Lukey, Jones, Mildren, Glass, Patterson, Stillwell. Miller, Youl , Mckay, Jolly..et al

Anybody have anymore details please?Karl 

Karl,are you going to Phillip island historics?

[Geoff Smedley]

Gollee! The Longford Revival and Speed Demonstration is on again on March 20-22, 2015  just 60 years after my first drive there in 1955 and I have been invited to have a drive to relive those glory days. The car I first drove was a then state of the art TR2 Triumph and this time it will be in much the same vane with my 1953 Morgan +4 which used the TR2 engine. Quite exciting to be able to boast that I drove at Longford over a 60 year period. Still got all my bits in the right place at 84 I think.  .....Smed.

[cooper997]

That must make you fairly unique in having run in 1955 and then about to have a run 60 years later Geoff?

For those interested, more information is available here. http://longfordrevival.com.au

Stephen

[ellrosso]

I think now that Lyn Archer is no longer with us, you must be unique Geoff. Well done!

[Paul Newby]

Gollee! The Longford Revival and Speed Demonstration is on again on March 20-22, 2015  just 60 years after my first drive there in 1955 and I have been invited to have a drive to relive those glory days. The car I first drove was a then state of the art TR2 Triumph and this time it will be in much the same vane with my 1953 Morgan +4 which used the TR2 engine. Quite exciting to be able to boast that I drove at Longford over a 60 year period. Still got all my bits in the right place at 84 I think.  .....Smed.

Hi Geoff,

 

I will be attending this event for the first time. Actually I am covering the festival for Australian Muscle Car magazine, so I'm sure I will get an opportunity to meet with you and other famous Tasmanian motorsport identities during the event.

 

Looking forward it.

 

Regards,

Paul

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by ellrosso
I think now that Lyn Archer is no longer with us, you must be unique Geoff. Well done!

Geoff's pretty unique anyway...

Who else put twin plugs in a Climax FPF, designed and made an alloy downdraft head for the 105E and a multitude of other things. And then in his eighties put the finishing touches to a Morgan.