2024 Phillip Island Classic March 8th-10th

[E.B]

Yes its that time of year again already. Usually plenty of interest in the meeting so thought it deserved a thread for those going to post photos etc.

Sadly Delta was hoping to be here, as an add on to his NZ trip, but was unable to make it this year. A bit of a gap between them, and had to get home to work and pay for the trip! We will raise a glass to him. (Iain, the Apex Geese send their regards!)

Dr Bob of this parish will be there, running an (#42) Escort in Group Nc HTC. (Nc is 1st January 1965 and 31st December 1972). David Towe is also entered in his very quick Frank Gardner built JPS BMW M3. (#44)

Sorry if I have missed any others but give yourself a shout out here so those of us there can follow progress. Let us know your car details and # so we can look out for you

I think a eleven Historic Categories running from F5000 down to FJ, FF and FVee, plus Touring Cars of all types and ages, Sports cars from Can Am to MGs through to Pre War and Regularity.

Usual large entry of varied and interesting cars.

Category list and entry list here: https://www.vhrr.com.au/_files/ugd/4...4be31cda15.pdf

EVENT WEBSITE: https://www.vhrr.com.au/phillip-island/2024

Press release for the meeting.

The annual Phillip Island Classic - Festival of Motorsport set for March 8-10th is a must see event for any passionate motorsport or motoring enthusiast and is not to be missed.

Soak up the atmosphere and take a trip down memory lane
as you get up close and personal with over 400 historic
racing cars in period correct liveries across 11 different
Motorsport Australia sanctioned categories.

Enjoy full access that will see you walking through the garages,
talking to the drivers, touching the cars and soaking in the
wonderful sounds and aromas of yesteryear.

With multiple clear and visible spectator viewing points around the circuit you won’t miss a second of the action. There’s nothing quite like the thunder of these historic machines attacking the Phillip Island Circuit!

Also on offer will be over 1,000 stunning car club vehicles on display in the circuit outer, as well as our merchandise hall, food stands and food trucks.

See historic Group A and Group C machines from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s as well as Formula 5000, Historic F1, Le Mans Group C cars, Formula Ford, Formula Holden and so much more.

Highlights of this year's event will see a strong contingent of McLaren Formula 5000 and Can-Am cars as well as a gaggle of 2.0 Litre Supertourers from the 90s.

See Steven Richards drive his Dad Jim’s Nissan Skyline
HR31 in the Group C and A category alongside another factory
Nissan HR31.

Greg Murphy will also be back at the Phillip Island Classic
this year driving a Honda Accord 2.0 Litre Supertourer from
NewZealand!
And be there to celebrate 50 years of the mighty L34 Torana with various static displays and on track events alongside spectacular collection of L34's at the Cowes Car Show on Friday night.

Tickets at the gate. Patrons under 17enter free if accompanied by an adult.

Gates open Friday March 8th at 8 am. Be there!

Not sure of any live streaming details at this stage, but I will be there Friday morning till Sunday night and I will check. Often "BlendlineTV" do streams from Historic events. They have a youtube channel might be worth checking on: https://www.youtube.com/c/BlendLineTV


ANy other Aussie tenthers making the trip to the island this weekend? Let us know, and maybe get a chance to catch up and put faces to names.

See some of you there

Cheers
Chris

[E.B]

Oh, just to make you Northern hemisphere people jealous....

Weather forecast is good all weekend although Saturday might be tough on cars, contents and spectators (Sunny 33C). Bring your sunscreen and hats.

Fri 8 Mar Forecast Min14°C Max25 °C Partly cloudy.Possible rainfall:0 mm
Sat 9 Mar Forecast Min16°C Max33 °C Mostly sunny.Possible rainfall:0 mm
Sun 10 Mar Forecast PMin20°C Max27 °C Partly cloudy. Possible rainfall:0 mm

But hey its PI it makes its own mind up. Other forecasts show a minor chance of some moisture from above Sunday pm.

[Bruce Moxon]

Yep, I'm there. Look for the old fat bloke with the camera.

Shooting for a couple of mags and whoever else wants to buy pictures.

Big boys' weekend, too - we might actually have two beers and stay up until 8.30 or so.

Bruce Moxon

[bludvl_x19]

I'll be there, first floor of the tower, hope no-one who is racing sees me. On the other hand, I want to watch as much of the racing as I can.

The event "starts" tomorrow, so its a very, very long weekend for some.

[Newall Andy]

Hi.
No cars from the UK this year, give everyone a breather !
So i'm departing for Melbourne this Sunday, spending a few days down on the Island helping Bob with his race car post PI, then going to the AGP for a few more days.
Bad penny I think they call it..... have a great time, I just love PI !

Andy.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Newall Andy

Hi.
No cars from the UK this year, give everyone a breather !
So i'm departing for Melbourne this Sunday, spending a few days down on the Island helping Bob with his race car post PI, then going to the AGP for a few more days.
Bad penny I think they call it..... have a great time, I just love PI !

Andy.

Crikey, no Andy at PI. First time bar Covid days not seen you running this meeting for a few years from memory.. I looked at the entry list when I was posting the opening post, and had to go back and double check when I didnt see your name!

Sorry wont see you at PI race weekend but have a good trip!

[delta]

All the pressure is on Dr Bob now . Have a wonderful time .i will definitely be there in 2026. ?

[drbob]

Well for me it was a disappointing weekend. A major misfire started on Thursday testing. First time out for my newly built Mark 1 Escort RS1600 BDA. We chased that until Saturday and then gave up. Either a blown head gasket getting steadily worse or a split in the bore because oil was getting into the coolant. What do I know anyway?*??
Packed up and home on Sunday, relaxing in the spa with a cold beer getting the last rays of the sun before it disappears over the mountains.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by drbob

Well for me it was a disappointing weekend. A major misfire started on Thursday testing. First time out for my newly built Mark 1 Escort RS1600 BDA. We chased that until Saturday and then gave up. Either a blown head gasket getting steadily worse or a split in the bore because oil was getting into the coolant. What do I know anyway?*??
Packed up and home on Sunday, relaxing in the spa with a cold beer getting the last rays of the sun before it disappears over the mountains.

If its any consolation Dr Bob, Sunday was hideous weatherwise. One of our Group N guys was able to link into the pilots forecast and weather conditions at the local PI airport. They were reporting 37.5C at 2:00 pm and due to hit 38. Usual iPhone forecasts were 'only' reporting 32C A few of the larger class Nc's and others from other classes didnt go out in the afternoon, and of those that did a number pulled in before race end. Certainly not the sort of temperatures for your car in its condition. I dont normally get affected by heat, but I left mid afternoon.

[bludvl_x19]

It was way too hot. I like heat, but that was way too hot for Phillip Island.

Might be a tad controversial, but I don't think that event was the best PI Classic that has been held either. 4 days is too long for a race meeting. There was a lack (from my humble point of view) of cars that you would expect to be there, and make PI Classic the event that it is. Very few F1 cars, virtually no big sports cars. The sheer number of Kiwis and McLarens helped with making it something, but I think there have been better events in the past.

[E.B]

A few pics from the weekend. Sadly suffered camera problems early in the weekend so didnt take as many as normal and they are pretty much all from the same part of the track... plus they are very amateur and not up to the standard of other folks additions.

Will start off with a few of Dr Bob of this parish in his very pretty Escort which as he explained before misbehaved a bit and struggled with the heat. Lovely looking car though.

Sadly the last pic is Dr Bob returning to the paddock mid race

[E.B]

I'll add a few but will put the rest in an album and post the link if anyone wants a look.

[E.B]

some 5000s and others

[E.B]

a few from round the paddock...I thought this first one was a bit of an Aussie Lairy Canary!

[E.B]

As promised a link to the album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/198018...77720315553198

[Gerard C]

Well done, Chris, and thanks for the a-Traction At first glance, thought the #50 could be a rare Dino but its more likely a P4 Spider, is it?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Well done, Chris, and thanks for the a-Traction At first glance, thought the #50 could be a rare Dino but its more likely a P4 Spider, is it?

The Ferrari is indeed a Dino 206SP. Well it ia a replica. Built as a 'faithfull reproduction of chassis # 032R.

Info on it here https://www.grandprix.com.au/event/o...ng-past/car-53

Thought you would like the 'Traction' (11D I think)!

[Malcolm Smith]

Just had a look through your album, Chris, very enjoyable.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Smith

Just had a look through your album, Chris, very enjoyable.

Thanks Malcolm, glad you enjoyed..

[Gerard C]

I was lucky enough to detail a 206SP because my former boss owned one. As to the Traction, may it was originally a 11 D Légère but now, its another enjoyable story! Is the 250 LM the real thing?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Is the 250 LM the real thing?

Sure is, and quite a special one. Said to be Ch. #5909..... driven in the day by Jochen Rindt, Lorenzo Bandini and John Surtees. I think Rindt (with David Piper) ran the 1964 LM24 entered by NART, then Nurb. 1000k's, and then Surtees shared with Bandini for the 1964 Reims 12hr. again entered by NART.

Car used in the US from Late '64.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by E.B

Sure is, and quite a special one.

As you say!

[E.B]

A PI Classic video of one of the HTC Group N <2litres races from last month. Dr Bob of this parish features in this race in his Escort (yellow / orange #42), having a dice with a Datsun 510 and others. Unfortunately previous problems led to him starting rear of grid, and even more unfortunately he was back in the paddock by the time the chequered flag fell.

Race 2 Group N Historic Touring Cars Under 2L Phillip Island Classic 2024
https://youtu.be/bVxCOYaVK08

[E.B]

Also the Historic Touring Cars Group N 'overs' (over 2Litre class ) Race 1
https://youtu.be/fBGQ3fer7uQ



Plus race 2 for the 'overs'
https://youtu.be/wp60RFBgzxw



And race 4 for the 'overs'.
https://youtu.be/eNP9j1jdzhY

[Gerard C]

Thanks Chris!