26 replies to this topic

[cooper997]

It is just under one month to go before this year's VHRR Phillip Island Classic awakens the island to add another chapter to Australia's biggest historic motor race meeting.

Just enough time to let those enthusiasts north of the equator book a ticket to head 'down under' to visit the spectacular seaside race circuit. Or indeed if you're across the ditch in NZ or interstate awaiting the event that rarely disappoints.

 

I'm in my usual wait until it unfolds in front of me, but I have noted there's to be a Porsche 917/30 that is apparently part of the Harburg fleet. No doubt one of many Porsches filling the grids. But hard to beat the peak Porsche year of 2007 when rare race Porsches were absolutely everywhere.

 

Here's part of the 2007 evidence...

 

 

A couple of former PI Classic TNF threads can be viewed for inspiration as to the reason why we go.

 

2016 https://forums.autos...ic-march-11-13/

 

2024 https://forums.autos...ip-island-2024/

 

more can be found at

https://autoaction.c...-island-classic

or the Victorian Historic Racing Register site

https://www.vhrr.com...-island/classic

 

 

Stephen

[Librules]

It's just a shame that the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Race of Champions in Sydney are on the same weekend. The Can Am Shadows on their own will be enough for some to be SA bound.

[Lola5000]

It's just a shame that the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Race of Champions in Sydney are on the same weekend. The Can Am Shadows on their own will be enough for some to be SA bound.

Agree-I'm off to Adelaide for the festival as are a group of other like minded Historic people ,TBH I think Phillip Island Historic meet , is the same year after year ..

[MarkBisset]

​

Woo-hoo haven't we got lots of choice!


m

[cooper997]

The countdown to Phillip Island continues.

 

Here's another snap from the 2010 event. One very famous MG K3 and (partial) MG TC being ex Bira and ex Bill Patterson respectively. With lengthy Australian history from when MG's ruled the circuits.

 

 

 

Stephen

[Lola5000]

Is there an historic demo at the AGP this year ?

[malomay]

It's just a shame that the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and the Race of Champions in Sydney are on the same weekend. The Can Am Shadows on their own will be enough for some to be SA bound.

Hmm, yes. Have we really got that many historic cars coming out of our ears in this country that we can afford to have competing events on the same weekend ?

 

Huge shame.......

[brucemoxon]

Hmm, yes. Have we really got that many historic cars coming out of our ears in this country that we can afford to have competing events on the same weekend ?

 

Huge shame.......

 

Shame indeed. 

 

My spy tells me the Adelaide people weren't able to change their date, but offered to cooperate with Phillip Island, including sharing costs, for the Island date to move, that way the two events could run, with the Grand Prix in between.

 

Some bloody-mindedness ensued. I hear. 

 

 

BRM

[lyntonh]

Shame indeed. 

 

My spy tells me the Adelaide people weren't able to change their date, but offered to cooperate with Phillip Island, including sharing costs, for the Island date to move, that way the two events could run, with the Grand Prix in between.

 

Some bloody-mindedness ensued. I hear. 

 

 

BRM

The Phillip Island meeting has been on the same weekend in March for at least ten years.

The Adelaide event returned in 2023, after its three year hiatus, and was held on the last weekend in March.

It moved to the earlier date last year to avoid the GP.

It now finds that the F1 calendar has grabbed that weekend, and expects PI to shift.

Bloody mindedness ?

In its earlier form up to 2018, the AMC was held at the other end of the year.

It seems to me that the AMC suffers from government-funded self-importance and wants everyone else to shift around to suit its whims.

[brucemoxon]

The Phillip Island meeting has been on the same weekend in March for at least ten years.

The Adelaide event returned in 2023, after its three year hiatus, and was held on the last weekend in March.

It moved to the earlier date last year to avoid the GP.

It now finds that the F1 calendar has grabbed that weekend, and expects PI to shift.

Bloody mindedness ?

In its earlier form up to 2018, the AMC was held at the other end of the year.

It seems to me that the AMC suffers from government-funded self-importance and wants everyone else to shift around to suit its whims.

 

Plenty of that, too. 

 

Because of circumstances, I can't be at Phillip Island this year (sad face). 

 

Media accreditation to the Race of Champions is some compensation. 

 

 

BRM

[Lee Nicolle]

The Phillip Island meeting has been on the same weekend in March for at least ten years.

The Adelaide event returned in 2023, after its three year hiatus, and was held on the last weekend in March.

It moved to the earlier date last year to avoid the GP.

It now finds that the F1 calendar has grabbed that weekend, and expects PI to shift.

Bloody mindedness ?

In its earlier form up to 2018, the AMC was held at the other end of the year.

It seems to me that the AMC suffers from government-funded self-importance and wants everyone else to shift around to suit its whims.

SA Labor self important?? Downright arrogant actually. I want to know how much it is costing the taxpayer as well. Like the Stockcar race that it seems loses millions. 

[cooper997]

Early Friday morning snap as Phillip Island awakened to another year's historic motor racing.

partial view of the paddock across to Bass Strait (taken from the walking bridge across the front 'Gardner Straight'.

 

With 2 glorious days at the Island I'm back home and despite the clash of events the racers and spectators alike from SA still crossed the border into Victoria.

 

So did SA-based TNF member, Lynton Hemer who upon turning my head right on Friday afternoon was standing next to me. We now have the 'Great Wall of Honda' covering around 200 metres of somewhere like 4m high catch fencing. I'll leave it to Lynton to give his full and unedited version of that!  But it leaves mug photographers without accreditation 2.5metres to form an orderly rugby scrum to not have catch fencing in your snaps!

 

Starts again in the morning at 7am for day 3. Get there if you can.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 08 March 2025 - 12:32.

[cooper997]

Friday morning marshalling of the combined J, K & L groups with the Formula Vees readying for their practice runs.

 

 

I very much suspect that Peter Harburg has just cracked a hatrick for the most valuable car to appear at each of the 3 most recent Phillip Island Classics. He goes about things with no fuss at the circuit, preparation done before the event, then turns up and gives whatever he has at the Island a bit of exercise. Nothing too silly in the case of this monster. Actually I tell a lie, there was some fuss required this year, I witnessed it twice over my two days, when nearby. Peter's wife had to round up a few willing pushers each time to help reverse it back into the garage after a run. They didn't need to be asked twice!

 

Early on Friday morning John Bowe was loitering in front of the 917/30. Well actually he was driving the 911 sharing garage space. But I asked JB if he had offered to drive the car? He surprised me with his response... "It's too valuablel" Which I guess was code for I can't afford to fix if I break it. But I still bet he'd love to have a steer.

 

Friday lunchtime snap

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 09 March 2025 - 03:17.

[brucemoxon]

Friday morning marshalling of the combined J, K & L groups with the Formula Vees readying for their practice runs.

 

 

 

I very much suspect that Peter Harburg has just cracked a hatrick for the most valuable car to appear at each of the 3 most recent Phillip Island Classics. He goes about things with no fuss at the circuit, preparation done before the event, then turns up and gives whatever he has at the Island a bit of exercise. Nothing too silly in the case of this monster. Actually I tell a lie, there was some fuss required this year, I witnessed it twice over my two days, when nearby. Peter's wife had to round up a few willing pushers each time to help reverse it back into the garage after a run. They didn't need to be asked twice!

 

Early on Friday morning John Bowe was loitering in front of the 917/30. Well actually he was driving the 911 sharing garage space. But I asked JB if he had offered to drive the car? He surprised me with his response... "It's too valuablel" Which I guess was code for I can't afford to fix if I break it. But I still bet he'd love to have a steer.

 

Friday lunchtime snap

 

 

Stephen

 

Remember some years ago Porsche sent one of these cars over? I was doing a feature story on it and there was talk John Bowe might be turning a few laps. Great, I thought. JB will give great quotes and feedback on the car. He's articulate and thoughtful. 

Instead, Jim Richards drove the car. Nothing against Jim at all, one of the best drivers to come out of New Zealand (and there have been some mighty good ones), but let's say that he's economical with his words. Lovely bloke, just doesn't like to talk. 

So, he drove the car, I wandered over, notebook and pen ready to go. "Jim, could I get some thoughts on driving the car?"

"Yeah, was good." With the aid of some thumbscrews and a rack, I got some useful stuff from him. 

 

 

BRM

[cooper997]

A massive field of Group S classic sports cars took part - fastback Mustangs, 911s, Midgets / Sprites, Corvettes and more.

Greg Prunster Sprite in the paddock

 

Regularity always have huge fields running against their nominated times. This leading Bolwell Nagari of Greg Pittaway must have period race history with Ranald Maclurkin and John Gourlay.

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

Great Phillip Island weekend as always, caught up with TNFers Stephen Dalton, John Ellacott and Kevin Bartlett. Missed Lynton Hemer this time, a bumma.

 

A few shots on the way down which may be of interest.

 

 

The off for the group I stay with is Bob King's Melbourne home. This is David Cohen's Graber bodied Bugatti T57 which won the Sydney Concours at Cockatoo Island a couple of weeks ago. The car was restored in Vancouver many years ago, has a stellar Concours past and is used very regularly on the road by David.

 

 

Quinn Ferrari 250GTE, Smith Lancia Flavia Zagato, King AC Ace Bristol and Tasmanian Lotus Elan Plus-2 at Fig On The Bay, Corinella

 

 

 

Bugatti Royalty at The Gurdies Winery

 

Ivan Dutton middle - note the mug of tea - and Bob King at right

 

King and Greg Smith, who both know Ivan, noticed Dutton and Susie Pilkington were On Tour in New Zealand via Facebook and issued an invite to come on over. They have been here for a week and return home to the UK tonight. Kiwis and Aussies should keep an eye on Shed Racing for the next few weeks to follow Dutton and Pilkington's escapades in The Deep South

Edited by MarkBisset, 10 March 2025 - 08:14.

[2F-001]

Thanks for sharing news and pictures... such a shame about the clashing dates though. (Although I'd have been less vexed by missing the Sydney event: great fun to watch I'm sure, but not at the expense of missing either of the other two. The Shadows were a real treat at Goodwood MM - although we got all of them!).

[cooper997]

Big banger F5000s in different guises... (from separate Friday arvo runs)

 

Andrew Kluver Lola T332 NF-11 Can-Am

 

Bill Hemming Elfin MR8

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[MarkBisset]

 

 

Q&R F1, F5000, F3000 et al were relatively small but interesting grids, my favourite being Vince Holland's Ralt RT21 Honda F3000. Holland above firing her up.

 

Guido's Ferrari 156/85 up front as per... Ian Smith photo below

​

 

The usual grizzles about cars of different performance and attributes but get used to it fellas! Thomas Randle in the Ralt Holden impressive to watch.

Edited by MarkBisset, 11 March 2025 - 01:17.

[cooper997]

More Friday arvo open wheelers

 

Alan Foley Kaditcha PC84F2 - I'll take a commission if it sells from TNF

 

Steve Willing March 793 and Andrew McCarthy Maurer MM82

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Saturday afternoon

 

 

Jerome Nehrybecki GpA Benz across the top of Lukey Heights

 

and from the 5litre group (aka old V8Supercar) Andrew Cook Falcon just coming out of Siberia

 

 

Stephen

 

[cooper997]

Saturday morning J, K & L race

 

Conor Ryan Abicair Bros MG-Holden has just driven from the back of the field to now be ahead of Graeme Raper in Monoskate.

 

Ever enthusiastic US visitor, Ernie Nagamatsu with his Dave McDonald Corvette replica.

 

Shane Bowden Lolus Holden and Samantha Dymond Lola Mk1

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 11 March 2025 - 10:29.

[lyntonh]

Early Friday morning snap as Phillip Island awakened to another year's historic motor racing.

partial view of the paddock across to Bass Strait (taken from the walking bridge across the front 'Gardner Straight'.

 

With 2 glorious days at the Island I'm back home and despite the clash of events the racers and spectators alike from SA still crossed the border into Victoria.

 

So did SA-based TNF member, Lynton Hemer who upon turning my head right on Friday afternoon was standing next to me. We now have the 'Great Wall of Honda' covering around 200 metres of somewhere like 4m high catch fencing. I'll leave it to Lynton to give his full and unedited version of that!  But it leaves mug photographers without accreditation 2.5metres to form an orderly rugby scrum to not have catch fencing in your snaps!

 

Starts again in the morning at 7am for day 3. Get there if you can.

 

 

Stephen

A fine hot weekend.

 

Early Friday morning snap as Phillip Island awakened to another year's historic motor racing.

partial view of the paddock across to Bass Strait (taken from the walking bridge across the front 'Gardner Straight'.

 

With 2 glorious days at the Island I'm back home and despite the clash of events the racers and spectators alike from SA still crossed the border into Victoria.

 

So did SA-based TNF member, Lynton Hemer who upon turning my head right on Friday afternoon was standing next to me. We now have the 'Great Wall of Honda' covering around 200 metres of somewhere like 4m high catch fencing. I'll leave it to Lynton to give his full and unedited version of that!  But it leaves mug photographers without accreditation 2.5metres to form an orderly rugby scrum to not have catch fencing in your snaps!

 

Starts again in the morning at 7am for day 3. Get there if you can.

 

 

Stephen

It was good to catch up with Cooper997, in the most unplanned way possible.

 

We were somewhat 'squashed' into the brief two metre remnant of unguarded spectator viewing area at the exit of Honda Corner.

 

Our encounter was inevitable if we wanted to photograph the same race at that corner 'unscreened'

by the chain wire, suddenly obligatory to the Insurance bureaucrat so vitally interested in our continued existence.

 

We snapped away for several races, and caught up on numerous matters of world importance, such as 'have you got race programmes from Calder in 1965 ?....I'm trying to help someone who wants to restore the one-off special his dad has had in the shed since the late sixties.'

 

The subject of the fencing did not arise again before we parted an hour later......much refreshed by the serendipitous chinwag.

 

Thanks Stephen.

[cooper997]

Thanks Lynton, but without putting words into your mouth the fence episode got cleaned up a bit! lol

 

And yes I do have all the 1965 Calder programmes and I can briefly tell you a name you mentioned is entered. Discuss further by other means.

 

 

 

Early Saturday morning random snaps of those tinkering away in the paddock before the 9am race engine startup curfew lifts.

 

The modern day 'Mr Elfin' who even has to be chief mechanic. Bill Hemming with the MR8 in bits.

 

Martin Dunlop's March 802

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 12 March 2025 - 08:52.

[Lee Nicolle]

 

 

Q&R F1, F5000, F3000 et al were relatively small but interesting grids, my favourite being Vince Holland's Ralt RT21 Honda F3000. Holland above firing her up.

 

Guido's Ferrari 156/85 up front as per... Ian Smith photo below

​

 

The usual grizzles about cars of different performance and attributes but get used to it fellas! Thomas Randle in the Ralt Holden impressive to watch.

I can ensure you that that is overblown Fiat, not a Sports Sedan driver in a F Holden

[Librules]

I can ensure you that that is overblown Fiat, not a Sports Sedan driver in a F Holden

Lee, Stephen named the Ferrari driver above the pic. The mention of Randle was commentary only.

Edited by Librules, 12 March 2025 - 20:19.

[cooper997]

Friday afternoon Group C & Group A Heritage Touring Cars...

 

Paul Stubber getting the hurry up from Carey McMahon.

 

Jonathon Webb

 

 

Stephen