FINAL preparations are in place for the largest historic motorsport event in the Southern Hemisphere, the annual VHRR Phillip Island Classic – ‘Festival of Motorsport’ at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, March 8 to 10.
With more than 400 entries from every state in Australia, a strong contingent of competitors from New Zealand plus international drivers, the event now attracting record numbers of spectators will once again provide thrilling and spectacular motor racing.
With eleven categories of race cars from the late 1920’s up to the late 1980’s including McLaren CAN-AM cars from the heyday of the world leading era of the McLaren team plus some of the best Formula 5000’s, international competition will be at its best over the three day event.
Of particular interest will be Roger William’s M8E-F McLaren CAM-AM car with 8.3 litre Chev aluminium engine, the M10B Formula 5000 of Toby Annabel, in which the legendary Bruce McLaren had significant personal input with the vehicle racing and hill climbs in the UK, the McLaren M10B-400-18S raced by Frank Karl with this F5000 racing in South Africa and UK. There will also be the McLaren CAN-AM sports car of Alistair Hey and the M10A-300.09 with the high rear wing of Tony Roberts once driven by American driver and broadcaster Sam Posey.
Formula 5000 Grand Prix cars from New Zealand that have raced in the USA and UK will compete on the Sunday against the top Australian cars and drivers for the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
One of the strongest fields of C & A touring cars ever assembled will include three back-to-back Bathurst cars with champion drivers Jonathon Webb, Greg Murphy and Steve Richards racing for honours. Taking the competition up to them will be father and son Andrew and George Miedecke in Sierra and Mercedes cars, Tony and Kyle Alford in the Nissans, Paul Stubber in the ex-Allan Moffatt RX7, Chris Stillwell in a Ford Sierra and Peter Xiberras, owner of the Premier Super Car Team in the ex-Bob Jane Commodore.
In the Group N Touring Cars there will be eight XU1’s, 13 Mustangs, five Camaro’s plus a Ford Falcon Super Sprint car in what can be seen as some of the fastest and most competitive assembled at Phillip Island.
The ever-competitive field of Formula Ford grid will see Irish challenger James Hagen challenging Malcolm Oastler, John and Tim Blanchard from the Blanchard Racing Team, Richard Davidson and Johnathon Miles amongst many others challenging for the honours.
Of particular interest and racing at the event will be the priceless 1964 Ferrari 250LM Chassis 5909 which will be driven by Peter Harburg. One of only 32 cars ever made, the Ferrari 250LM was delivered new to the North American Racing Team on May 1964 just in time for the 1000km of Nurburgring where it was driven by Umberto Maglioli and Jochen Rindt and also driven over the years by legendary British drivers David Piper and John Surtees. The car was successfully raced around the world in the 1960’s and has been superbly restored winning numerous concourse awards and has recently arrived in Australia for display and historic racing.
On display at the event will be the 1946 Maybach which won the 1954 New Zealand Grand Prix driven by Australian legend and winner of both the Australian and New Zealand Grand Prix, Stan Jones. This was the first successful race car developed and built in Australia to win a Grand Prix event.
Patron for the 2024 VHRR Phillip Island Classic – ‘Festival of Motorsport’ is Spencer Martin, highly regarded as one of Australia’s most competitive open wheeler racers of the 1960’s. Racing for Bob Jane Racing, Spencer won two Australian Drivers’ Championships back-to-back in 1966 and 1967. In later years he successfully raced in historic events around the world racing Ferrari Testarossa, Maserati and an ex- Stirling Moss C-type Jaguar with wins in Nurburgring, Laguna Seca, Silverstone and Magny-Cours. Spencer also raced Dave McKay’s Ferrari 250LM in Australian in the period and will lead the Q & R entrants on the warmup lap.
On display at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will be up to 1100 vehicles from the car clubs covering the widest range of vehicle marques available and providing something of interest for everyone. The event will also acknowledge a year of celebrations marking the 125th Anniversary of the Renault brand.
The VHRR Phillip Island Classic – ‘Festival of Motorsport’ is a family friendly motorsport event attracting patrons from all over Australia , New Zealand and internationally.