95 replies to this topic

[SJ Lambert]

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

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 9^th to 11^th 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 50^th 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.

 

The Classic Race Committee thanks you for your work in 2017 and is looking forward working with you

again in 2018.

 

 

Jean Bellenger.                                                                               Noel Tippett

Secretary of the Meeting                                                             Deputy Clerk of the Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SJ Lambert]

 

 

 

 

On the back of the last couple of meetings, the F5000 field may well be a humdinger this time around!!!!

[Lee Nicolle]

I might be forced to attend again!

Though at least some of those patrons will be driving. Alfie and Kenny Smith, or at least I hope so.

It would be great to see the others have a few quiet laps as well. Mac has restored his MR6 and it would be great to see it get a few laps in.

[Ray Bell]

I have often said that F5000s, properly driven, are exciting even one car at a time...

But there is nowhere I've seen that this applies more than the Island. A wonderful place for the 'cinquelitre monopostos'!

With memories of Vincenzo Basile.

[elansprint72]

If I had to name the best-ever sights and sounds around Oulton Park; it would be F5k. Hope the event goes well.

[Lee Nicolle]

I have often said that F5000s, properly driven, are exciting even one car at a time...

But there is nowhere I've seen that this applies more than the Island. A wonderful place for the 'cinquelitre monopostos'!

With memories of Vincenzo Basile.

Four years ago with 27 5000s at the Island was interesting. Only a couple being driven very hard but most finished, and most of the ones that did not started next start. Though the first and second lap going down the straight was just lovely noise.

[cooper997]

Well this year's Phillip Island Classic is in its second of 3 days motor racing (as I tap this). I was there yesterday, but that's me for this year's event.

 

Edwardstown v Maranello - James Lambert's Elfin Mono with some red car.

 

Dan Gurney was being remembered at Ernie Nagamatsu's pit garage. But suspect Ernie might have been having a PI Classic that will be remembered for his Old Yeller's engine crying enough too early in the meeting. Directly under the Gurney flag was a chap trying to build up an engine to get the car moving again.

 

Former longtime D Type custodian, Keith Berryman and son, Tim trying to get the throttle working properly on their Lola

 

A nod to the man who put Alfa Romeo on the map in Australia. This is of course the GTA that KB, Frank Gardner, John French and Brian Foley campaigned and modified during the car's first decade. Beautifully restored and bravely being run in the Under 3 litre Historic Touring Cars.

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 21 April 2018 - 11:38.

[Lee Nicolle]

The car from Edwardstown is pretty,, the other is a Fiat!

[Lee Nicolle]

Qualifying was very quick for the front at least. Thomas Tweedie!! and Timothy Berryman were under 1 30, Tom @ 1 26.92 and Tim at 1 28.63.

Very formal the entry,, who has ever heard of those drivers. Or Robert Collinson and James Doig!

[SJ Lambert]

[cooper997]

 

For this year's Phillip Island, Joe Calleja had a new toy in his pit garages - the ex Carroll Shelby-driven Allard Cadillac J2X. Seen here with John Bowe driving.

 

 

After Friday's racing, the front straight was invaded by around 25 Torana GTR's and XU1's for a photo shoot. Seen here as some head through the tunnel over to the pit area. Always a battle to get a big group through with the timed traffic light system to control the flow of the single lane tunnel.

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 21 April 2018 - 11:39.

[SJ Lambert]

John Crawford from Motorsport Solutions New Zealand tends to a busted box in the Lotus, Stephen and I had a good old chat to him! We’d been so doing for a while when in rocks David Abbott who Stephen recognises first and then a whole new fat chewing session arcs up with E1 being the main topic of conversation!!

Edited by SJ Lambert, 10 March 2018 - 11:53.

[SJ Lambert]

[Lee Nicolle]

What does the Chinese writing on the Lola actually say?

Maybe Teddy was being ruse about something!

[E1pix]

"Get your Szechuan beef hot dogs here!"

[E1pix]

We’d been so doing for a while when in rocks David Abbott who Stephen recognises first and then a whole new fat chewing session arcs up with E1 being the main topic of conversation!!

Oh, that can't be good......... ;-)

Hope everyone got a nice nap out of it!

[brucemoxon]

John Bowe says this car is 'horrible' to drive.He actually used an adjective before horrible.

[Librules]

I have often said that F5000s, properly driven, are exciting even one car at a time...

But there is nowhere I've seen that this applies more than the Island. A wonderful place for the 'cinquelitre monopostos'!

With memories of Vincenzo Basile.

Unfortunately no Alfie or Kenny this time round.    Alf had family commitments so David Hardman is in the Mclaren's seat,    Kenny was unable to repair his car after a big blow-up in NZ fairly recently.   Messrs Tweedie and Berryman are worth watching - both got into the 27's this morning....

[cooper997]

John Crawford from Motorsport Solutions New Zealand tends to a busted box in the Lotus, Stephen and I had a good old chat to him! We’d been so doing for a while when in rocks David Abbott who Stephen recognises first and then a whole new fat chewing session arcs up with E1 being the main topic of conversation!!

 

John was indeed good for a chat as he rebuilt David Arrowsmith's Lotus F5000 gearbox. He and his business obviously play a large part in NZ's F5000 industry. Six employees to keep busy remaking parts and preparing cars. Although he only had one car at the Island to tend to, So decided he and his wife would come over from Christchurch. John was a happy man when the gearbox went back together without any hitches. His wife arrived back during our chat, broad smile on her face and announcing "I've been helping the Australian economy"

 

So if you need a new tub for your Lola, newly cast Rebel design wheels for your Formula Ford, etc he's your man. www.motorsportsolutions.co.nz

 

And he didn't even mention Rugby. Just as well, because it would have been a one sided conversation.

 

 

With a career that spanned the 1950s to 80s with the likes of Humpy Holden, Centaur, Mini Cooper and Cooper S, Alfa, Ford GT, etc, John French was in fine form as he signed some event posters for Richard Williams and Co at the VHRR. There was also a bloke who raced a Coke Ford many years ago, one day he might mellow enough to let punters take his photo and smile like Frenchie. Nuff said!

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 21 April 2018 - 11:43.

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

[SJ Lambert]

Andy's weekend wasn't all smooth sailing...

 

 

[Lee Nicolle]

I did a double take on this pic,, initially I though a large front wing. But no look harder and it is another rear wing in front.

Though 5000s [and many others as well] use a main wing about the size of a Sprintcar front wing

[Ray Bell]

That's because they're so much faster...

The sprint cars don't get much wind.

[Lee Nicolle]

A Sprinter on a larger track is running well over a 100mph. A 5000 on a short track is not much faster.

Though the 5000 considers drag and a Sprinter dont seem to care. And run the wings at angles I feel sure is drag and aero stall. The Top wing doubles as cushion when they fall over which is often!

[Kenzclass]

A Sprinter on a larger track is running well over a 100mph. A 5000 on a short track is not much faster.

Though the 5000 considers drag and a Sprinter dont seem to care. And run the wings at angles I feel sure is drag and aero stall. The Top wing doubles as cushion when they fall over which is often!

With 700 plus BHP, what's a bit of extra drag?

I spoke to Graham Gerhardt, who built a lot of Sprintcars in Qld, a while back on the subject of these wings.

He told me that wingless Sprintcars without wings (either by design or accident-in-running) are absolutely diabolical to drive.

He reckoned those US wingless Sprintcar racers were crazy. 

[E1pix]

And Thankfully, they still are!:
A). Often wingless, and thus...
B). Crazed for our thrills.

[Lee Nicolle]

With 700 plus BHP, what's a bit of extra drag?

I spoke to Graham Gerhardt, who built a lot of Sprintcars in Qld, a while back on the subject of these wings.

He told me that wingless Sprintcars without wings (either by design or accident-in-running) are absolutely diabolical to drive.

He reckoned those US wingless Sprintcar racers were crazy. 

700hp? That is a weak 360 these days. Though 5000s are reputedly  running near that anyway now. [not in period]

Wingless Sprints here in Oz are powered?? by a stock 3.8 Commondore engine and are not very fast. But still hurt [more] when they dump them.

[brucemoxon]

One for our South Australian friends...

Who I'm yet to meet, by the way. Starting to wonder if they're real.

 

And I'm reliably informed that this was Lawrie Nelson's last race meeting.

 

 

BM

[Kenzclass]

Andy's weekend wasn't all smooth sailing...

He must be getting used to that by now, at PI.

Edited by Kenzclass, 12 March 2018 - 16:58.

[Lee Nicolle]

One for our South Australian friends...

Who I'm yet to meet, by the way. Starting to wonder if they're real.

 

And I'm reliably informed that this was Lawrie Nelson's last race meeting.

 

 

BM

One or two of them were pitted with Doig. 2bob with the ASP clubbie was.

[2Bob]

"One or two of them were pitted with Doig. 2bob with the ASP clubbie was."

 

As was Guy Chick (now a genuine Crow Eater no longer Broken Hill based) and Graham Boulter for a day or so until called back to SA for family health reasons, hope all is well now Graham.  Many other of SA best there too, Andy Ford, Robert Smith, many Formula Forders (doing well with their BDA engines too keeping the VICs honest). Lost track of the rest...

[Ray Bell]

Is that Andy Foord of rallycross fame?

[lyntonh]

One for our South Australian friends...

Who I'm yet to meet, by the way. Starting to wonder if they're real.

 

BM

Thing is, at the Island in March, everything is UNreal.......missed you again, Bruce.

[Kenzclass]

Is that Andy Foord of rallycross fame?

Newall, from Gelscoe Motorsport in the UK (replica GT40 builders).

As per the badge, drives a lot of the JCB cars.

It was him that half demolished their 250 GTO/64 at last year's Goodwood Revival.

And a replica GT40 at PI a couple of years back, too.

[SJ Lambert]

Right rear hub problems in the McLaren

[Kenzclass]

Is that McL an overseas visitor for PI?
Or a local car he’s guesting in?

[SJ Lambert]

Local - Bob Harborow's

[brucemoxon]

My photo of Lawrie Nelson vanished. I suspect enemy action:

[Librules]

Is that Andy Foord of rallycross fame?

I don't think so, Ray.     This Andy can't afford the 2nd 'o'.    He runs a Birrana F2 and also hillclimbs in another car.  

[Ian G]

Is that Andy Foord of rallycross fame?

 

 

I don't think so, Ray.     This Andy can't afford the 2nd 'o'.    He runs a Birrana F2 and also hillclimbs in another car.  

 

No,Foord had the Brake/Clutch Shop over on Victoria Rd. in  Sydney(Balmain?).,he did some work on our Rally cars back in the 1970's.

He compteted in Katoomba Rallycross then purchased the ex factory BL Rally Mini(which was stuffed) and competeted in a couple of Rallies.

Like with Robin Orlando we went over to his Shop one day and it was all closed up,not sure what happened to him,someone on here may know.       

Edited by Ian G, 13 March 2018 - 22:42.

[lyntonh]

They can send me to Siberia any time they like............

Andrew Sefton Haggis U2, Barry Ward March Sports 2000,  Kevin Gray Tiga SC80, Grant Kelly Tiga SC82 and Bob Collinson ASP 340C

Jim Doig Motorlab ASP, Scott Whittaker Milano GT2 and Joe Calleja March 73S

Bob Collinson and Graeme Hughes Royale RP37

Edited by lyntonh, 18 April 2018 - 12:41.

[2Bob]

Well done Lyntonh.  In one photo managed to get 3 of the 4 cars staying in the one house in Cowes for the weekend! (Jim Doig, Barry Ward and self). Guy Chick was there too.  3 South Australian ASPs and (possibly) honorary south Australian Barry Ward.  A great time was had by all, including Lynton and second and third photographers Peter and Alan and overworked engineer Mark!  We are so confidant of Marks work we take our own photographers along.... (Will wish I never said that one day soon I dare say).

[Lee Nicolle]

Mark had it easy, the week before he was looking after the two Whiteline Camaros. I suspect easier than a few Asps.

It seems the weekend went ok for you blokes, no DNFs except for Guy.

And ace snapper Lynton to look after the cars as well, starting to look a bit F1!

Except the cars look like cars!

I still wish to know who James Doig and Robert Collison are however.

[lyntonh]

 

 

Renato Loberto LM3000 Ferrari, Kevin West Norax, Andrew Sefton Haggis, Barry Ward March, Kevin Gray Tiga, Graeme Hughes Royale, Bob Collinson ASP and Grant Kelly Tiga.....

........yes they're all there.

 

 

 

Jason White McLaren M8F

 

 

Brett Lindsay Argo JM19 C2

 

 

Scott Whittaker Milano, Joe Calleja March and Jim Doig Motorlab ASP

Edited by lyntonh, 18 April 2018 - 12:46.