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Posted 03 March 2024 - 23:45
Can't wait!
Who's going?
I'm not sure what's got me most excited - the LM250 Ferrari, all those McLarens (including 2 M8s), a huge field of Group A and C cars, or the fish and chips at Rhyll.
Then there's the merch, the model cars, the car park, the vibe, Mabo, the Constitution or the fact that I pass through Bonnie Doon on the way.
BRM
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Posted 04 March 2024 - 04:53
I'm off with a group of mainly Perth coves. The pick of the cars last year was Rod Quinn's 'Ooomba Ute; an incredible bloke and babe-magnet, and it carried a swag of liquid-provisions from Melbourne to Cowes. Arnolt Bristol at left, Bug Brescia at right, with a Brocky Commodore behind France's finest.
Stephen is in, and we're catching up with John Ellacott.
I had a great day with Lynton last year, are you coming across?
Me-mate 'Mad Andy' McCarthy's Maurer MM82 BMW will be my personal star-car especially if it behaves upon its historic debut.
I rode down in this Bugatti T57 which misbehaved a bit last year so I dipped out on a drive. Chassis #57627 was rebodied by Gavin Sandford-Morgan in the 1960s'ish. Owner is a Brisbane lawyer, Steve Young??
Edited by MarkBisset, 04 March 2024 - 23:37.
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Posted 04 March 2024 - 08:55
For me, Phillip Island Classic is simply a case of turn up and see what you find. About all I've bothered to find out is that Spencer Martin is Patron and there's to be a 250LM (but not ex SV as far as I'm aware). On the Spencer front hopefully the VHRR have secured the Bob Jane Racing Team BT11A from the Bob Jane Corporation for display purposes. But there will be another BT11A there regardless.
Here's a memory from 2010...
Stephen
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Posted 04 March 2024 - 21:38
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Posted 05 March 2024 - 02:05
I’ll be there spannering for Team Calder Elfin.
Also got prep Mono MC6653 for Garrie Cooper’s Motorsport Hall of Fame induction ceremony. So might do a bit of that in the paddock as well!
#6441 ? My old car from many moons ago,the last time I ran her there (2nd PI Historic? I was second on the grid with a 1.48, Tate had just freshen up the Twin Cam and Minogue had rebuilt her for me .
Tell James to look out for a certain driver !
Edited by Lola5000, 05 March 2024 - 03:12.
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Posted 05 March 2024 - 02:20
Looking forward to lots of photos from those going, unfortunately I have a grandie-minding duty for a week or so that will take me out.
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Posted 08 March 2024 - 14:07
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Posted 08 March 2024 - 18:49
Good to know Eli and John Ellacott are there...
As well as all you blokes, of course. The sea breezes will be carrying plenty of happy sounds all weekend, I'm sure.
On hand, of course, is our occasionally TNF poster, DogEarred, out from England for this event and the AGP along with his friend Steve from Indianapolis. Keep an eye out for them.
Member
Posted 09 March 2024 - 10:42
I'm back from 2 long, but very enjoyable days at the Island. The Event still has Sunday to go. If you are nearby and thinking of going, do it! But for Sunday I'm pre-occupied elsewhere.
Only downside is that Summer has decided to turnup when our Autumn is the official season. Stinking hot, high 30s temp, but I shouldn't complain I wasn't a driver or trackside official having to wear all their safety gear!
Early Friday morning, lineup behind pit garages
Sat afternoon, Bruce Kett NZ Lola T332 thunders up to Lukey Heights
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 01:00
Early Friday morning I got lucky when 2024 PI Classic patron, Spencer Martin obliged me a couple of photos. This one as he chatted to the Aussie 250LM owner, Peter Harburg. Peter running in the Regularity section with the car. For the second year running bringing a spectacular Ferrari.
Spencer did get a lap or two also, but was competing in a Ferrari 355 Challenge. On Friday morning he was amongst various V8 Supercars and a couple of 911. He wasn't exactly thrilled to be in with these much faster cars. Things however changed to more suitable company.
Stephen
Edited by cooper997, 10 March 2024 - 03:04.
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 01:33
I like to get to PI early each morning to see the behind the scenes goings on.
Early Saturday morning and the many mechanics are kept busy. Here the lads are giving the Lola T332 a rocker/ valve clearance check.
By Saturday afternoon it was baked cars and humans alike. Here's the front straight Shannons Walk car clubs section. But Phillip Island Classic is the perfect seaside village for the motoring enthusiast!
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 02:11
Released from The Bathurst Motor Racing Museum for the weekend. The 1976 Hardie Ferodo 1000-winning Bob Morris / John Fitzpatrick Torana L34 had just been fired up with the help of Steve Tate (son of HDT mechanic Ian) part of a huge gathering of L34s and performance Toranas at the Island to celebrate 50 years of the LH SLR 5000 L34 model.
The yellow theme iand the appropriate period Channel 7 TV logo s about all they share, one of the Frank Gardner-run B&H BMW M3 being prepared for combat on Friday morning.
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 02:44
Saturday afternoon and the huge gathering of much varied participants from the Regularity section were on track. Here's just a small sample as they headed from Lukey Heights to MG Corner.
I was actually following the Elgaram down the hill, when the Monaro went for the outbrake into MG.
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 03:51
You've got to love those winged McLarens and passionate kiwis.
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 05:12
Friday afternoon and making his 2024 PI entrance in the AC Ace Bristol was Mr Bisset. Not allowed to be shown in public too often, I've chosen to share the back of him, standing with owner Bill (white hat).
Saturday afternoon and Noel Bryen in his lovely Bob Britton-built Rennmax - about to turn hard right at MG Corner.
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 05:52
A couple of panoramic type snaps showing the Group C and Group A Touring Cars formation lap, arriving and going through MG Corner.
The Nissan Skyline is Steve Richards and Kenwood Sierra, Andrew Miedecke.
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 06:23
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Posted 10 March 2024 - 06:47
Saturday morning Regularity from Honda corner (turn 4)
Frank Robinson's Milthorpe Ford V8 spl
Gerry Lawson Lotus 11
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 07:17
Again from the Saturday morning Regularity.
I'm sure there will be drivers from the meeting dining out on 'racing' an M8B for a little while. Perhaps the tale will regale how they beat it. Given it came home on the tow rope.
Not sure of the facts, but I suspect that if a ' time and motion study' took place, the ground shaking McLaren with 7 litres of Chevrolet V8 forward motion emptied the liquid stuff quicker than the time of 12 minutes on track.
Regardless it ran again & thankyou to Michael Collins for bringing the car from New Zealand.
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 09:56
Friday morning and the 9am race engine curfew has not long passed.
The lads ready the other big McLaren in attendance. It was worth the deafening at startup.
Saturday morning, McLaren's M10A and 10B together outside their pit garages
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 10:02
I should have realised...
It's very likely the M10s had the same kind of battery mount as the M4a. I could have asked for someone to check them.
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 22:26
Saturday afternoon formation lap for the F5000 / Pacific (Mondial) / Indy / F1 etc...
Daniel Gate Ralt RT4 over from Western Australia
Stephen
Member
Posted 10 March 2024 - 23:34
Great pics, thanks for posting.
Member
Posted 11 March 2024 - 08:19
More from Saturday afternoon Group C & Group A Touring Cars. These being Touring Cars that are meant to have period race history.
Tony Alford XD Falcon GpC with Meon Nehrybecki Toyota Supra GpA
Jason Delaney Escort GpC and Gary Chick VC Commodore GpC
Stephen
Member
Posted 11 March 2024 - 08:25
Fantastic variety of shots Stephen, what a great long-weekend it was.
The Phillip Island Classic is easily the pinnacle of historic meetings in Oz. As one who couldn't organise a shag in a knock-shop, hearty congrats to the Victorian Historic Racing Register and MG Car Club and their armies of volunteers for a stunning weekend of racing and static displays.
The grids of mixed single-seaters were huge: F5000, F3000 (one), Euro and Oz F2, Formula Pacific, Formula Holden (one) etc made a great spectacle albeit not without some 'disquiet' among some competitors given closing speeds and the differing characteristics of the various classes
Joe Ricciardo is a big PI fan, here aboard his Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato enroute to the meeting
Busty Belle of The Ball was the Bruce McLaren Trust McLaren M8B Chev which is about as period perfect resto/rebuild as you will ever see. Not a cell of the thing looks wrong to me
Edited by MarkBisset, 11 March 2024 - 08:40.
Member
Posted 11 March 2024 - 09:30
From the V8 Supercar and 911.group Spencer Martin's Ferrari 355 Challenge was initially thrown in with.
The Betta Falcon being run by Andrew Cook and the 911 by Cameron Smith
Stephen
Edited by cooper997, 11 March 2024 - 09:37.
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 08:19
Spencer Martin having a run in the 355 Challenge at Honda corner and the 250LM coming into MG.
Stephen
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 09:43
Rohan Carrig's Hocking 901 Formula Holden and Bryan Sala's Matich A50 F5000
Stephen
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 10:26
I should have realised...
It's very likely the M10s had the same kind of battery mount as the M4a. I could have asked for someone to check them.
Member
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 10:57
James, it's not a matter of the location of the battery...
I posted a pic of that in the M4 thread. But it's just sitting there and it's impossible from the available information to tell what restrains it vertically. It has 'fences' around it to restrain it horizontally, but something has to be added to stop it bouncing up and down.
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 11:13
Spencer Martin having a run in the 355 Challenge at Honda corner and the 250LM coming into MG.
Stephen
I hope that was 'just' a demo run in the 250LM, there appears to be a passenger without a helmet. Even for a demo, that seems ... err ... odd.
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 11:20
I hope that was 'just' a demo run in the 250LM, there appears to be a passenger without a helmet. Even for a demo, that seems ... err ... odd.
RHD...
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 14:48
Me-mate 'Mad Andy' McCarthy's Maurer MM82 BMW will be my personal star-car especially if it behaves upon its historic debut.
Camera-shy, or DNA? 
Member
Posted 12 March 2024 - 22:45
The post 29 Spencer Martin 250LM photo is from the demo lap behind a Course Car.
Australia is a big country with competitors (and spectators alike) travellling vast distances to be part of Phillip Island Classic. Here's a couple from Friday's Regularity
Tim Tapping's Read Holden Spl over from Western Australia.
Trevor Bassett's Daytona from Queensland and Philip Lewis' 206SP replica from NSW.
Stephen
Member
Posted 13 March 2024 - 00:56
Originally posted by cooper997
.....Australia is a big country with competitors (and spectators alike) travellling vast distances to be part of Phillip Island Classic. Here's a couple from Friday's Regularity
Tim Tapping's Read Holden Spl over from Western Australia.
Member
Posted 13 March 2024 - 06:14
Ray, Acording to the write up in the programme (borrowed from R G Willis' Optimism book) you are correct.
Stephen
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Posted 13 March 2024 - 07:19
The Bennett boys out to play in the same event, with 2 very different racing cars...
Nick Bennett in the family Elfin 600B T/C
Dad, Laurie in the McLaren M1B
Stephen
Member
Posted 13 March 2024 - 09:59
Thank you, Stephen, for sharing your pictures and experiences from PI - a treat for those of us who are antipodally-disposed from the venue...
This thread will keep me busy this morning!
(I love seeing those close up shots of the cars from the Bruce McLaren Trust.)
Member
Posted 14 March 2024 - 09:39
Tony, thanks for your kind words. Start saving your pennies for a trip to PI next year. Bound to be warmer than the UK in March.
A couple more big sporties...
Mark Goldsmith 'Globe' Elfin 400
Bob Harbarow McLaren M6B
Stephen
Member
Posted 14 March 2024 - 10:57
Camera-shy, or DNA?
Member
Posted 14 March 2024 - 22:29
Thanks for the photos 
, reinforces my determination to get back there next year.
Member
Posted 15 March 2024 - 06:27
Tony, thanks for your kind words. Start saving your pennies for a trip to PI next year. Bound to be warmer than the UK in March.
A couple more big sporties...
Mark Goldsmith 'Globe' Elfin 400
Bob Harbarow McLaren M6B
Stephen
The driver in the Elfin seems so high in comparison to the McLaren
Member
Posted 15 March 2024 - 06:48
Is the Elfin 400-driving Mark Goldsmith the 'Adelaide' Mark Goldsmith? Big friendly Barney Bear bloke, used to rally under the 'Team Africa' banner - which stood for 'Another F---- Rally I Can't Afford'... ?
DCN
Member
Posted 15 March 2024 - 07:11
Yes Doug. Occasionally posts on TNF under Goldy...
Stephen
Member
Posted 15 March 2024 - 08:58
Ray, Acording to the write up in the programme (borrowed from R G Willis' Optimism book) you are correct.
Stephen
I'm glad someone has read that book.
Member
Posted 15 March 2024 - 10:19
Friday Touring Cars
Slightly less controversial in 2024... The Scuderia Veloce Motors, Volvo 242GT David McKay and Spencer Martin ran on radials at the 1979 Hardie Ferodo 1000
ex Bill O'Brien 'Walkinshaw' VL GpA Commodore with GpC ex Graeme Bailey Celica and GpC ex Grice VC Commodore
Stephen
Member
Posted 15 March 2024 - 20:44
D'arcy Russell's Lola T330
Friday paddock
Saturday at Lukey Heights
Stephen
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