92 replies to this topic

[brucemoxon]

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

[MarkBisset]

 

 

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.

[cooper997]

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

[SJ Lambert]

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!

[Lola5000]

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.

[GreenMachine]

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.

[SJ Lambert]

Elmo has entered the building!



Mark - I’m hoping to catch up with Eli Solomon and others today - you would get a kick out of meeting him too. Hopefully we can all catch up?

[Ray Bell]

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.

[cooper997]

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

[cooper997]

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.

[cooper997]

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

[cooper997]

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

[cooper997]

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

[cooper997]

You've got to love those winged McLarens and passionate kiwis.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

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

[barrykm]

Super pics - thanks 

[cooper997]

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

[404KF2]

Nice photos!

[Librules]

Thanks for the pics from one who couldn't make it this year. I think that's George Miedecke in the Sierra, with Andrew running a 190 Benz a little further down the field.

[cooper997]

Saturday morning Regularity from Honda corner (turn 4)

 

Frank Robinson's Milthorpe Ford V8 spl

 

Gerry Lawson Lotus 11

 

 

Stephen

 

 

 

[cooper997]

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

[cooper997]

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

[Ray Bell]

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.

[cooper997]

Saturday afternoon formation lap for the F5000 / Pacific (Mondial) / Indy / F1 etc...

 

 

Daniel Gate Ralt RT4 over from Western Australia

 

 

Stephen

[10kDA]

Great pics, thanks for posting.

[cooper997]

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

[MarkBisset]

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

image url

Edited by MarkBisset, 11 March 2024 - 08:40.

[cooper997]

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.

[cooper997]

Spencer Martin having a run in the 355 Challenge at Honda corner and the 250LM coming into MG.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Rohan Carrig's Hocking 901 Formula Holden and Bryan Sala's Matich A50 F5000

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[SJ Lambert]

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.

I photographed the M10 inside & out & couldn’t see the battery, so I assumed it might be under the seat cover in the knee rest. Assumptions can be wrong though, I asked Tony Garmey where it is in the M4a that he is running at the moment - he advised that it is in the cavity behind the driver.

[SJ Lambert]

The Jorgensen car http://youtu.be/IY9a...?feature=shared

[Ray Bell]

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.

[GreenMachine]

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.

[lyntonh]

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...

[Michael Ferner]

 

 

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? 

[cooper997]

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

[Ray Bell]

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.

It's done some travelling...

That car was built in NSW, I'm sure that's the car with the MG TC gearbox on its side with the gearlever bent up at the driver's right, Peugeot 203 front suspension (three wheel nuts gives that away) and Skoda swing axle rear.

[cooper997]

Ray, Acording to the write up in the programme (borrowed from R G Willis' Optimism book) you are correct.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

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

[2F-001]

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.)

[cooper997]

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

[Librules]

Camera-shy, or DNA?

It ran with mixed results (see Natsoft). I have seen a pic on Facebook but good luck trying to find it.....

[GreenMachine]

Thanks for the photos  , reinforces my determination to get back there next year.  

[Lee Nicolle]

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

[Doug Nye]

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

[cooper997]

Yes Doug. Occasionally posts on TNF under Goldy...

 

 

Stephen

[Dick Willis]

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.

[cooper997]

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

[cooper997]

D'arcy Russell's Lola T330

 

Friday paddock

 

Saturday at Lukey Heights

 

 

Stephen