2013 Phillip Island Classic Motor Races

[Steve Holmes]

The recent Phillip Island Classic, run by the Victorian Historic Racing Register, has become one of the most significant events on the international historic racing calendar. This years event, held on March 7-10, featured some impressive fields, and a big international entry, particularly that of the big-bore Sports Car field.

Grids included:

Historic Groups M & O for historic single seaters and sports cars
Historic Formula Ford & Formula Vee
Historic Groups Sa & Sb for production sports cars
Historic Group C & Group A Touring Cars
Historic Groups Q & R (Formula Atlantic etc) and Formula 5000
Group Nb & Nc Historic Touring Cars
Historic Groups J, Ka, Kb, Lb Historic early sports cars
Groups Sbd & Sc '60s & 70s production sports cars
Sports Prototype, GT and Can-Am cars

The last group for the Can-Am etc field looks especially exciting, with a big grid of cars. Several Can-Am cars from Aus, the UK, and the US are entered, including the Gary Wilson Sting GW1, complete with 9 litre big block Chevy! Also, Rusty French is entered in this field with his old John Sands Porsche 935 which he won the Australian GT championship with in 1983. I see Larry Perkins is also in this race in the old Kevin Bartlett De Tomaso Pantera.

Race results can be viewed through Natsoft: http://racing.natsoft.com.au/results/#2

[bry3500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hium2BoDo8

[bry3500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tylqwgIqWxU

[Steve Holmes]

Nice find Bry! Isn't the sound from the Matra just fantastic! The Sports Car field is pretty impressive, even if the two Porsche 956s look slightly out of place. Would have still been a thrill to see them.

[Habu]

"The last group for the Can-Am etc field looks especially exciting, with a big grid of cars. Several Can-Am cars from Aus, the UK, and the US are entered, including the Gary Wilson Sting GW1, complete with 9 litre big block Chevy! Also, Rusty French is entered in this field with his old John Sands Porsche 935 which he won the Australian GT championship with in 1983. I see Larry Perkins is also in this race in the old Kevin Bartlett De Tomaso Pantera."

Was lucky enough to go to Rusty French's house at his quarry about 8 years ago. A good friend of mine restored the two black 935's for him, and he also owned the Alan Jones car - maybe he still does? At the time, he owned the largest collection of 935's in the world - not even the Porsche factory had 3 x 935's! He and his wife were fantastic hosts, and he had quite a collection of interesting cars - not all that he owned were at his home, but impressive none the less.

[Steve Holmes]

Did you happen to take any photos? I believe its the ex-Alan Jones car that he races most in historic events now, and which was at Phillip Island on the weekend. Jones raced it in the 1982 Australian GT/Sports Sedan Championship, for Alan Hamilton, as part of a two-car team which included Colin Bond in a Porsche 944. There were 9 Rounds, seven of which contained two heats, and Jones won every single one of them! Rusty French was also racing a 935, but his car wasn't as quick as the Jones car. At the end of the season Hamilton disbanded his race team, and French bought the Jones 935, and won the 1983 GT/Sports Sedan Championship with it, repainted in the black of his John Sands sponsorship.

One of our members, Chad Raynal (OCTARD-USA) raced against Rusty at Laguna Seca a few years back. Chad was in his Chevy DeKon Monza.

[Habu]

Did you happen to take any photos? I believe its the ex-Alan Jones car that he races most in historic events now, and which was at Phillip Island on the weekend. Jones raced it in the 1982 Australian GT/Sports Sedan Championship, for Alan Hamilton, as part of a two-car team which included Colin Bond in a Porsche 944. There were 9 Rounds, seven of which contained two heats, and Jones won every single one of them! Rusty French was also racing a 935, but his car wasn't as quick as the Jones car. At the end of the season Hamilton disbanded his race team, and French bought the Jones 935, and won the 1983 GT/Sports Sedan Championship with it, repainted in the black of his John Sands sponsorship.

One of our members, Chad Raynal (OCTARD-USA) raced against Rusty at Laguna Seca a few years back. Chad was in his Chevy DeKon Monza.

Hi Steve,

No, didnt take any photos. The two black Skye Sands cars were both rebuilt at the same time, by my friend. The Alan Jones car was in the same shed still painted white etc, and in parts awaiting a rebuild. Rusty also had a Porsche 911 promotional car that toured around painted similarly to the cars he raced. He also had a De Tomaso Pantera waiting restoration, that I was told is one of the only Group 5 Tomaso's left in the world - was a cool looking car. All the Porsches and the Tomaso were kept together in the large garage / shed closest to his house.

He certainly had some cool stuff - loads more in his "big" shed too. His wife was lovely as well - from memory she represented Australia at the Olympics in equestrian? She talked horses with my wife, while I drooled over the cars.

I believe Rusty is quite reclusive, and we were very lucky to meet and chat with him, he was a really nice bloke, who was happy to talk about his cars. My personal favourite was his Group C XD Falcon, or maybe his Viper GT car, or his 3 x 935's, or his Ferrari Daytona, or maybe it was........you get the picture. Oh, and I only saw about half of what he owned apparently.

[bry3500]

This is pretty cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWt7g-l8lzQ

[fullnoise68]

Steve, Bob Homewood went over to this meeting, maybe he`s got a few photos to put on here.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Steve, yeah I knew he'd been across for it, I should ask him. I've been waiting on some official photos from the event, but these can take a while to receive.

[John B]

WOW! I had no idea that this event attracted such a high calibre of car. The Phillip Island Classic has now been added to my 'bucket list' - along with Classic Le Mans and Goodwood.

The field in the Sportscar / CanAm race was spectacular - Shadow DN4; Porsche 935, 936 & 962; Matra 670; March CanAm; McLaren; Alfa; lots of Lolas; etc, etc, etc! Anyone know what a big, low, white coupe was?

[jnr356]

de tomaso,driven by larry perkins

[bob homewood]

Yes sorry I have been busy but I can post up some photos if you want me to,but I will probably have to send them to you Steve

[GD66]

Here's a report with pics from Vince Johnson...

http://www.sportscardigest.com/phillip-island-classic-2013-report-and-photos/

[Steve Holmes]

OK, the wait is over, here are the first of the photos from the 2013 Phillip Island Classic. At this stage I've got photos from Steve Dansie and Brent Murray, and there is some really stunning imagery here. First up are shots from Steve Dansie. If you'd like to purchase any large format copies of Steve's photos, his email address is: dansiesme@bigpond.com

[Steve Holmes]

Kicking things off, are a couple of pics of the amazing De Tomaso Pantera, which was competing in the Sports Car races against the Can-Am cars etc. It was driven at PI by Larry Perkins! This was was first raced back in the 1985 Australian GT/Sports Sedan championship by Kevin Bartlett.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is Harry Reads McLaren M8C. Anyone got any history on this car? Obviously its a 1970 customer car, but thats all I know.

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[Steve Holmes]

This McLaren M8E is owned by the Bowden family in Queensland. It was raced in the Can-Am in 1971 by Vic Elford.

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[Steve Holmes]

PI was treated to the site of not one, but two Matra 670Bs, which put up a great showing against the big block cars.

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[Steve Holmes]

The famous Dan Gurney raced McLaren M6B 'McLeagle', in its high-wing 1969 guise.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is an interesting one. This is probably the last car built for the old original Can-Am series. This is the Sting GW1, originally built by John Collins for Gary Wilson (thats where the GW1 designation comes from), who first raced it in the Mid-Ohio round of the 1974 Can-Am championship, the very last year for Can-Am. Mid-Ohio was the fourth of just five rounds held that year. The Sting also raced in the last ever Can-Am race, at Elkhart Lake. A shame really, all that effort, only to have the Can-Am killed off after it only raced twice. Its now owned by Scott Drnek, and of all the cars racing in the Sports Car group at PI, gets the prize for having the largest motor: 9 litres!

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[Steve Holmes]

Lots of high quality kit was at PI, including this Porsche 936, driven by Alex Davison, grandson of Lex Davison.

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[Steve Holmes]

Young Michael Lyons was driving the 8.8 litre March 717. Chris Chiles used to own this car, does he still own it or did Frank Lyons buy it? Note the front bodywork, its quite different to how the March 717s originally looked. I assumed its been massaged at a later stage? Chris Amon drove one of these cars in the Can-Am in 1970, but I don't think its this car.

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[Steve Holmes]

McLaren M8F of Andrew Newall out of the UK. Looks a lot like the car raced for several years in the Supersport Cup by Charles Agg.

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[Steve Holmes]

Little Renmax BN6 of Michael Gibson and the Elfin Traco of Peter Brennan.

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[Steve Holmes]

How awesome is this! Magnificent Alfa T33SC12 of Joe Nastasi. The entry fee would have been worth it just to hear this car at speed!

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[Steve Holmes]

1969 high-wing Lola T163 of Greg Mitchell. Scott Drnek, with the Sting GW1, also owns this car.

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[Steve Holmes]

Elfin 400 of Bill Hemming

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[Steve Holmes]

Another interesting Can-Am car. This is the the Lola T310, the last Can-Am challenger built by Lola. This car they designed for the 1972 season, and it was driven by David Hobbs. It was designed in a wind-tunnel, and was the largest car ever to appear in the Can-Am, with a wheelbase of 105.5". Unfortunately it didn't really achieve much, despite showing some good potential. But Lola were working their way out of the Can-Am. It missed the opening round, and was never really a match for the new Porsche 917/10K, or factory McLaren M20s, or even some of the faster M8F's, and normally aspirated 917/10s and Shadow etc. But still a very interesting car, and the end of the line for Lola in the Can-Am.

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[Steve Holmes]

Lilo Zicron's Lola T160 takes a spin.

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[Steve Holmes]

McLaren M6B driven by Bert Skidmore (awesome name for a race car driver!). This was one of three cars entered in this group by Toluca Lake Historics, the white Lola T160 pictured above being another.

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[jnr356]

http://s23.postimage.org/t2ef1kdon/2013_03_10_15_09_24_773_jpg_thumb.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/t2ef1kdon/)

[Steve Holmes]

This is the superb Elfin MS7 Repco, which first appeared in 1974, and was still winning races well into the 1980s.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is one of the second generation Can-Am cars, essentially an F5000 with a sports car body draped over the top. This category came about in 1976 when the SCCA were trying to reinvent the glory days of the old original Can-Am, through F5000. Some good cars were built, including this Lola, but it fizzled out by the early 1980s.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[nigel watts]

Note to self - Add to bucket list

[Steve Holmes]

Group Nb and Nc Historic Touring Cars.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

DJR AU V8 Supercar, originally raced by Paul Radisich. These early V8 Supercars are now attracting a strong following, and its only a matter of time before a full grid of them is put together.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is interesting. I assume its a replica, the original Allan Moffat Federation Insurance/Camel Filters car from 1979 was one of his 1978 Falcon Cobra's, which I think were his 1977 Moffat Ford Dealer cars. I believe both of those cars are accounted for and restored back to their 1977 colours. So if this is a replica, its a bloody good one!

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[Steve Holmes]

This superb Corvette has done a lot of racing at historic events all over the world, including the Goodwood Revival, where I think it was driven by Peter Brock? More recently it raced at the Monterey Historics, driven by John Bowe.

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[Steve Holmes]

Some of the Group A touring cars, including a Schnitzer M3, and one of the Peter Brock Mobil M3s, possibly the Jim Richards car. Is the Brock M3 one of the JPS cars from 1987?

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[Steve Holmes]

These are the last of the pics from Steve Dansie. More Group A, including Jim Richards in his old HR31 Skyline, plus the Walkinshaw Commodore Adrian Allisey, and the Bryan Sala RS500. Can someone tell me the history on the Sala Sierra? I know he was racing this car himself when Group A was current, but I thought it'd been previously raced before he bought it? Looking at the yellow rollcage, is it one of the Tony Longhurst B&H cars?

My thanks again to Steve for allowing me to post his beautiful photos here.

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, next batch of photos come from Brent Murray of Speed Images. Again, please support these guys if you see anything on here you'd like to buy. Its thanks to their generosity in sharing their beautiful photos that those of us who can't attend still get to enjoy what was there.

Brent has a Facebook page with more of his fantastic photos, so be sure to visit: http://www.facebook.com/AtSpeedImages

[Steve Holmes]

Kicking things off, and here is a car that has featured quite prominently on The Roaring Season, with some great photos of it racing in period, in both Australia and New Zealand. This is the Brian Foley Porsche 911, which Foley raced in the ATCC in 1970, before it made its way across the Tasman, where Jim Palmer raced it in the 1971 NZ Saloon Car Championship.

Its now stunningly restored, and looking pretty as a picture!

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[Steve Holmes]

Speaking of Porsche's, here is Rusty French in the wild twin-turbo 935 K3 he ran in the Sports Car group against the Can-Am cars etc. I think this is the car entered by Alan Hamilton for Alan Jones to race in the 1982 Australian GT/Sports Sedan Championship, and which won every race. French then bought the car and raced it in 1983, also winning the championship. Pretty sure I've got that right, someone here will correct me if not.

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[Steve Holmes]

Glorious Talbot-Lago doing demonstration laps. Who is driving?

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[Steve Holmes]

Maseratti 4CLT of Paddins Dowling.

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[Steve Holmes]

Healey Silverstone of Graeme and Louis Raper which was entered in Regularity.

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[Steve Holmes]

Graeme Raper in the George Reed Spl, which also became known as the Co-Cal Spl. Some good period photos of this car on here, taken by Bruce Wells.

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[Steve Holmes]

Rex Robinson and Sulman Singer.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ron Townley in Talbot-Lago leads Rod Jolley in the magnificent Monza Lister Jaguar

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[Steve Holmes]

From the Sa & Sb Sports Car races, Brent Cooper in the lovely Mercedes-Benz 190SL

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Harburgs Jaguar D Type. What is the link with Vern Schuppan? Did he race this car at Goodwood Revival or something?

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[Steve Holmes]

Group C and Group A historic touring cars ran together as one group, with an impressive entry list, that included this pair of HR31 Nissan Skylines, one of my all-time favourite Group A cars. I'd forgotten what a shrill their turbo-6 motors made back when they were current, but was reminded at a historic event at Eastern Creek a few years ago. What a sound! Three HR31s were at the 2013 Phillip Island Classic.

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[Steve Holmes]

Against a barrage of RS500 Sierra's, Jim Richards won the 1990 in an HR31. I'm guessing this was JR's old car?

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[Steve Holmes]

There was also one of the earlier 4-cylinder DR30s racing. These cars first appeared in the ATCC in 1986. They took a little while to really get up to speed, allowing Robbie Francevic in the Volvo Australia 240T to build an early points gap. But by the end of the season the little DR30 in the hands of George Fury and a young bloke called Glenn Seton were the cars to beat.

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[Steve Holmes]

And, prior to the DR30 Skyline in Group A, was the Nissan Bluebird from the Group C era. George Fury famously wound up the boost to take pole in the Hardies Heroes at Bathurst in 1984 in one of these. This was the first time a turbo-charged car sat on pole at the great race. But it did take a few years of hard work to reach that stage, as Nissan first entered Group C in late 1981. Pictured here is one of the earlier Bluebirds, shared by George Fury and Fred Gibson, before Gibson stepped out of the drivers seat to focus on running the team.

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[Steve Holmes]

And the last of the line of Nissans in the Australian Touring Car Championship (prior to their re-entry in 2013) was the all-conquering Skyline R32 GT-R, which wiped the floor with everything. Fred Gibson ran two cars for Nissan Australia, plus Bob Forbes ran this car, driven by a young Mark Gibbs, who qualified alongside Mark Skaife in the Gibson car on the front row at Bathurst in 1991.

I don't think any car in the history of Aussie touring car racing has polarized opinion like the R32.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another from the Group C & A touring cars. This is the old Colin Bond Caltex RS500. Bond was winding down his career by the time he started racing this RS500, but pulled out a couple of very popular victories in the ATCC in this car.

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[Steve Holmes]

The Allan Grice/Colin Bond Group C Commodore from 1983, which finished 3rd at that years Bathurst.

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[Steve Holmes]

The Re-Car Commodore of Alan Brown/Tony Edmonson which placed 5th at Bathurst in 1981.

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Jansons Group C Commodore

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[Steve Holmes]

And again. This car Janson shared with Garry Rogers at Bathurst in 1984.

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[Steve Holmes]

Historic Group Nb/Nc touring car action, with the '69 Mustangs of Michael Donaher and Darryl Hansen

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[Steve Holmes]

Andrew Whiteside's Mustang

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[Steve Holmes]

Greg Toepher

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[Steve Holmes]

Andrew Cannon and Grant Bingley

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[Steve Holmes]

Ian Pringles XU-1 being chased by David Browns Datsun 1600. The Historic Group Nb/Nc touring cars had 45 cars on the grid!

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[Steve Holmes]

Donaher again

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[Steve Holmes]

Groups Sbd & Sc production sports cars, this was Rusty French in his De Tomaso which was the pace-setter

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[Steve Holmes]

Rusty being chased by Geoff Morgan

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[Steve Holmes]

Ian Ross in the Shelby GT350. I'm not able to ID the TVR owner sorry

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[Steve Holmes]

Greg White Mustang, and Tim Lynas in the 356

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[Steve Holmes]

Kevin Luke in the Shelby GT350. I'm wondering if this car came out from the US, given the B/P designation on the side?

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[Steve Holmes]

Another of the De Tomaso's in the production sports car group, this of Ross Jackson

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[Steve Holmes]

Steven Byrnes pretty Alfa GTA

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[zombie289]

Greg White Mustang, and Tim Lynas in the 356

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Wow, this is an actual ex-A/Sedan car that raced in Mexico from 66-73, not a Shelby built car, but lotsa history!

[Steve Holmes]

Hey thanks Pauly, do you have any more info on it? I assumed it was over from the US, Aussie historic touring cars aren't allowed to run any signage like that seen on this car, plus its front bumper has been removed, which also isn't allowed under Na/Nb/Nc rules.

[GD66]

Ian Ross in the Shelby GT350. I'm not able to ID the TVR owner sorry



Laurie Burton.

[At Speed Images]

Steven Byrnes pretty Alfa GTA

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Thats is the Alec Mildren Racing Alfa... Famously driven by KB & Frank Gardner... Beautiful little car

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Brent, wow that is great! I'm pleased to hear that car has survived. It looks stunning!

[Steve Holmes]

What was the story with this GT40? Did it race or was it just doing demonstrations? Prior to the event I read somewhere Spencer Martin was due to race a GT40. Was this the car?

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[Steve Holmes]

Does this Porsche have history? Its not the old Alan Hamilton car from 1972 is it? I thought for a fleeting moment it might have been the Bill Brown car, but his car was left hand drive.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another car brought across by Scott Drnek, the fantastic March 751, seen here leading Simon Gardiners Chevron.

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[Steve Holmes]

And again

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Strauss, Repco Brabham

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[Steve Holmes]

Ray Stubber in the Brabham was the pace-setter in Groups M & O

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[Steve Holmes]

Laurie Burton.

Thank you. Is it a Vixen or Tuscan? I can't tell from this shot.

[jnr356]

from what i understand the bill brown car was destroyed years ago,whilst be driven for an article in road and track magazine ?

[Steve Holmes]

Thats a bummer. Was it the same car that became a Sports Sedan during the '70s?

[zombie289]

Hey thanks Pauly, do you have any more info on it? I assumed it was over from the US, Aussie historic touring cars aren't allowed to run any signage like that seen on this car, plus its front bumper has been removed, which also isn't allowed under Na/Nb/Nc rules.

All I know steve is that it raced in Mexico till 73, then was run in the US, restored and raced in the USA up until a few years ago and ended up in Sydney. It was probably running in the regularity event at P.I as a lot of the "Non eligible" cars do...

[Steve Holmes]

This is the Lola T192 run by Penske Racing and driven by Mark Donohue in selected F5000 races in 1970 and 1971. Donohue was struggling with the geometry at first, and found the car was darting quite badly in a straight line. But he won with it first time out at Mosport, in the rain, and finished third at Ohio after starting off the rear of the grid following a shunt in practice. Eventually Eric Broadley figured out there were too much flex in the front A-arms, and resolved the problem, and Donohue won at Sebring.

The last race the car ran under Penske ownership was at the Questor race at Ontario Motor Speedway, with the F5000 cars matching up against F1 cars. Donohue had everything rebuilt, and sent all the suspension off to be chrome plated so it looked a million bucks. But the SCCA changed their rules on rollbars midway through the rebuild, and so Donohue asked that Broadley send him one of the new ones to fit the rules. It arrived late, and Donohue didn't like the way it looked, so had it sent over to be chromed. Unfortunately the chroming wasn't done properly. Donohue was running third in the first heat when the motor began spluttering on the last lap and he dropped to ninth. After fine-tuning the suspension, he was again running third in the second heat, and chasing Jackie Stewart and Mario Andretti in their F1 cars, and actually challenging them, when the Lola began spluttering again.

Turns out the fuel-vent which vents into the rollbar had gotten clogged because scale had broken off the chroming!

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[Steve Holmes]

All I know steve is that it raced in Mexico till 73, then was run in the US, restored and raced in the USA up until a few years ago and ended up in Sydney. It was probably running in the regularity event at P.I as a lot of the "Non eligible" cars do...

Thanks Pauly, yes I think it was running in regularity. Period race cars are eligible in Group Na/Nb/Nc, but they must have raced in an ATCC event to be so. Otherwise they have to fit the Group N rules. The Mustang doesn't do either. But a cool car either way.

[Steve Holmes]

I hope you folk are enjoying seeing these as much as I'm enjoying posting them!

[GD66]

Thank you. Is it a Vixen or Tuscan? I can't tell from this shot.

1969 Tuscan.

[M10B]

Another car brought across by Scott Drnek, the fantastic March 751, seen here leading Simon Gardiners Chevron.

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Steve, thats the ex Stuck March 741-1. has been in Australia for a while, owned by Joe Calleja from Melbourne. Scott replaced John Bowe at the wheel.

[Steve Holmes]

Thank you for that. I do recall reading somewhere JB was to drive the car at another event. How did he enjoy it? It must be over 25 years since he raced an open wheeler.

How can you tell the difference between a 741 and 751?

[Bondy]

The Re-Car Commodore of Alan Brown/Tony Edmonson which placed 5th at Bathurst in 1981.

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This became Dave "Skippy" Parsons car in 82 and had a hefty hit at Adelaide in 83. It was later used in 84 by Peter Brock in the Vita Brit Commercial. It can be seen in a Amaroo Sports Sedan race on Youtube still in the same Vita Brit commercial..

[Howard Wood]

Thank you for that. I do recall reading somewhere JB was to drive the car at another event. How did he enjoy it? It must be over 25 years since he raced an open wheeler.

How can you tell the difference between a 741 and 751?

Tub wise there is very little difference mostly only the bodywork changed between the 74 -77 series Marches. The cockpit and nose in the photo are 751. At some stage, (1976?) they mounted the radiators parrallel rather than angled as on that car.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Howard.

[Steve Holmes]

This became Dave "Skippy" Parsons car in 82 and had a hefty hit at Adelaide in 83. It was later used in 84 by Peter Brock in the Vita Brit Commercial. It can be seen in a Amaroo Sports Sedan race on Youtube still in the same Vita Brit commercial..

Thanks Bondy, great info.

[Steve Holmes]

This is the Lola T163 with which Penske entered just one round of the 1969 Can-Am. The team received the chassis well after the season had already started. They were in the middle of a huge battle in the Trans-Am series with their Camaro's, and had a full-on USAC program on the go, so didn't have the time required to dedicate to the Lola. Donohue had Karl Kainhofer fit a 430ci Traco Chevy in the back, and they spent a couple of days with it at their skidpad, before taking it to Mid Ohio, which was the 5th round of the championship.

The Lola broke a couple of rear axle half-shafts in practice and qualifying, and was both understeering and oversteering, but someone Donohue qualified 3rd behind the factory McLaren M8Bs. But in the race another rear axle half-shaft broke which put the car into the wall, and Roger Penske made the decision on the spot to pull out of the Can-Am for good, until they could dedicate themselves properly with a full program. This, of course, they eventually did in 1972 with the Porsche 917/10K.

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[Steve Holmes]

More Sports Car action

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[Steve Holmes]

Genie Mk10. Its always rare to see a Group 7 sports car thats left hand drive.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

The pretty MRC Repco Brabham

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[Steve Holmes]

More big-bore Sports Car action, just prior to, and immediately following the rolling start.

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[Steve Holmes]

Larry Perkins again in the ex-Kevin Bartlett De Tomaso

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

This Lola T160 was originally raced by Sam Posey in the 1968 Can-Am, as part of a 2-car team run by Ray Caldwell (Autodynamics). The other car was one designed by Caldwell himself, named the Caldwell DB7, and driven by Brett Lunger. The Caldwell/Posey combination also teamed together in 1970 to run the factory backed Autodynamic Dodge Challengers.

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[Steve Holmes]

In the Group C/A group, was this RS500 of George Nittis, which I believe to be the car raced in the 1989 British Touring Car Championship by Sean Walker. At the longer distance BTCC Round 4 at Donington, Walker was joined in the Sierra by future World Champion Damon Hill.

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[Steve Holmes]

The fact this 635CSi is wearing #62 on the door makes me think its Jim Richards' 1985 ATCC winning car. But I don't know the various JPS team car chassis' from this era too well, so someone else could correct me on this.

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[Steve Holmes]

Terry Finnigan raced this Group C Commodore in 1982, and shared with John Gates at Bathurst. Actually I think he might have raced the same car throughout 1983 and 1984, but its now presented back in its 1982 colours.

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[zombie289]

I bleed ford blue but I reckon those VH Gp C cars looked amazing, still hold up today.

[Haga]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;26041]These are the last of the pics from Steve Dansie. More Group A, including Jim Richards in his old HR31 Skyline, plus the Walkinshaw Commodore Adrian Allisey, and the Bryan Sala RS500. Can someone tell me the history on the Sala Sierra? I know he was racing this car himself when Group A was current, but I thought it'd been previously raced before he bought it? Looking at the yellow rollcage, is it one of the Tony Longhurst B&H cars?

My thanks again to Steve for allowing me to post his beautiful photos here.



Steve: Some info here re Sala car: http://rs500owners.com/index.php?topic=576.0

[conrod]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;26041]These are the last of the pics from Steve Dansie. More Group A, including Jim Richards in his old HR31 Skyline, plus the Walkinshaw Commodore Adrian Allisey, and the Bryan Sala RS500. Can someone tell me the history on the Sala Sierra? I know he was racing this car himself when Group A was current, but I thought it'd been previously raced before he bought it? Looking at the yellow rollcage, is it one of the Tony Longhurst B&H cars?

My thanks again to Steve for allowing me to post his beautiful photos here.



Steve: Some info here re Sala car: http://rs500owners.com/index.php?topic=576.0

Yes the Sala car is ex Longhurst. I was talking to him about it a few weeks ago in Invercargill where he was racing the 5000.It is one of the LHD drive cars, ex Wolf from Germany. They have owned it since buying it off Longhurst back in 1990 or thereabouts. Got to the point where it was worth nothing, so they decided to keep it. Glad they did too:)

Conrad

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks you guys. Reading through the comments on the RS500 owners forum, Sala actually painted the interior, engine bay and underside B&H yellow, to show its former history as a Longhurst car. But when he raced it in period these areas were still in Wolf base colours, which is how Longhurst also raced it. Even still, it looked great in 1991 when Sala first raced it.

[Steve Holmes]

The Sala RS500.

17185

And leading the Forbes GTR.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another from the Group C/A races, this is the Torana L34 raced in 1974 and '75 by brothers Rod and Russ McRae. Great looking colour scheme for the time! Prior to the L34 they'd raced an XU-1.

17187

[Steve Holmes]

There are few things in the world that confuse me more than Schnitzer run BMW M3s, and this car is no exception. They retained essentially the same paint scheme from the original 2.3 litre cars in 1987, right through to the later 2.5 Evo cars, and into their involvement in the 2.5 DTM era. Additionally, they ran at least two cars per event, sometimes more. However, with this car featuring Bob Jane decals on the bumper, I'd hazard a guess its one of the cars that contested the 1987 WTCC, and which appeared at the Australian WTCC rounds at Bathurst and Calder (and Wellington in New Zealand).

Now, furthermore, many of the cars were also cross-entered, so this appears to be the car entered at Bathurst in 1987 driven by Markus Oestreich/Roland Ratzenberger, but also with Emanuele Pirro/Roberto Ravaglia entered as drivers. I assume this was to allow the lead BMW drivers to jump in this car if their own car failed.

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[Bondy]

Another from the Group C/A races, this is the Torana L34 raced in 1974 and '75 by brothers Rod and Russ McRae. Great looking colour scheme for the time! Prior to the L34 they'd raced an XU-1.

17187

Thats the second L34 mate, the first one landed in the trees on Conrod Straight in 74 ;)

[conrod]

There are few things in the world that confuse me more than Schnitzer run BMW M3s, and this car is no exception. They retained essentially the same paint scheme from the original 2.3 litre cars in 1987, right through to the later 2.5 Evo cars, and into their involvement in the 2.5 DTM era. Additionally, they ran at least two cars per event, sometimes more. However, with this car featuring Bob Jane decals on the bumper, I'd hazard a guess its one of the cars that contested the 1987 WTCC, and which appeared at the Australian WTCC rounds at Bathurst and Calder (and Wellington in New Zealand).

Now, furthermore, many of the cars were also cross-entered, so this appears to be the car entered at Bathurst in 1987 driven by Markus Oestreich/Roland Ratzenberger, but also with Emanuele Pirro/Roberto Ravaglia entered as drivers. I assume this was to allow the lead BMW drivers to jump in this car if their own car failed.



For someone who claims to be confused, you have a pretty good handle on this car Steve! Yep, this car was one that contested the 1987 WTCC, and was actually crashed heavily at Bathurst.(the origin of the Bob Jane decals) Schnitzer stripped the car while in Aus, and donated the shell to the Bathurst Motor Museum. It was subsequently sold,and rebuilt with whatever parts were avalable,(including a late 2.5 DTM engine, which is now in my car;)) then sold, and bought by its present owner Bill Cutler in 2007, who stripped the car back to a bare shell, and rebuilt it with the period correct parts. He has been racing it for a few years now in the GpA and GpC category.

Conrad

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Conrad, fantastic description! So where did Schnitzer get their replacement car for the reamaining Australasian races following the Bathurst shunt? I think from memory several of the European based M3s endured some pretty big hits at Bathurst that year, including in practice. At least two of them started the race from pitlane.

[Steve Holmes]

Perhaps someone could explain to me the significance of this car? I'm a bit confused by it. The name on the door says Colin Bond, but it has the race number 7, with its class designation next to the number. Class designations were only displayed in Series Production until the end of 1972, and were dropped for Group C in 1973. Also, in Series Production, car numbers were based on the class they competed in, working upwards from Class D. So a Series Production Class C car wouldn't normally have such a low number. It'd usually be in the 20s, at least. However, the non-factory Mawer wheels suggest Group C, as these wouldn't be allowed in Series Production. Help! This is too confusing for my tiny brain.

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Brock/Bob Morris XU-1 from 1970 Bathurst.

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Brocks 1973 XU-1 Torana

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the superb replica (?) of Allan Moffats 1979 XC Falcon hardtop. In this guise Moffats hardtop didn't enjoy success, but it looked fantastic! Surely one of the best paint schemes ever seen at Bathurst.

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[conrod]

yes a fantastic colour scheme, I wonder where the inspiration for that came from?;)

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[Steve Holmes]

Yep, most definitely, and his Monza got the same treatment, although metallic brown replaced the black.

[Steve Holmes]

More Group C & A. Not sure of the origin of this RX7. Can anyone help?

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Lovely little Bob Holden Group A Toyota.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another of Bob Holdens former race cars, pretty RS2000 Escort.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Group C L34 formerly raced by David Langman/Bernie McClure.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[bry3500]

thanks for uploading Steve - i have been really enjoying this thread.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et3aXKOIsg0

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks heaps for posting that video Bry, just awesome!

[Cortina GT]

Thanks Steve and to all those who provided some fantastic photos and information.
I was lucky enough to be at the Goodwood Festival of speed in 2005 and see Peter Brock in his 05 (group C, I think) Commordore and now I'm looking forward to this fantastic event, bring on 2014!!!

Cheers,

Lee

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah Lee, this is a world class event, some of the entries are incredible!

[Steve Holmes]

Here is Harindra De Silva in the Surtees TS8, Darcy Russell in Lola T330.

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[Steve Holmes]

Alan Telfer in the pretty Brabham BT36, and the legendary Alfredo Costanzo in the Alan Hamilton entered McLaren M10B.

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[Steve Holmes]

Garry Hancocks Brabham BT23, and Adam Berymans Cooper.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is Les Wright in the Brabham BT21/23. Would love to know what motor this car runs. Race results say its 3.5 litres, which would fit with an Olds V8 or similar.

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[Steve Holmes]

Paul Stubber, who usually races historic touring cars and sports cars, was running this March 81C Indycar:

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[Steve Holmes]

Porsche versus Corvette

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[Steve Holmes]

Lovely E Type

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[Steve Holmes]

Pretty little Elfin 300 of Anthony Goddard

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[Steve Holmes]

Chris Wilsons Chevron B8

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[Dale Harvey]

This is Les Wright in the Brabham BT21/23. Would love to know what motor this car runs. Race results say its 3.5 litres, which would fit with an Olds V8 or similar.

17664

Buick.

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Couple of nice Austin Healeys

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[Steve Holmes]

Some nice detail shots in the pits:

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[bry3500]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;27213]Some nice detail shots in the pits:


That undressed Mclaren is pornographic

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[ITOW4U]

This is a shot of the March 741-1 when it arrived in the country earlier this year, even at 6'2" I can still get into it.
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/775590_10151271356693568_895122614_o.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, what a great photo! Thanks for posting.

[driftwood]

March 741 cars where crashed bashed written off many times by the Monza Gorilla that it has been hard to keep tabs on these cars
its well known he had 4 tubs on his car
I know of a man who has 1 of these tubs he had the idea to build up a car until i told him he was crazy and he saw logic and went an bought a proper real unmolested March F1 car

there is also another car in usa purporting to be a 741 but as time goes by it seems to be acknowledged by the owner the car is a "replica"
The 741 is one of the hardest cars to nail down although only 2 cars where built

[driftwood]

741
http://www.britishracecar.com/SteveCook-March-741.htm

[Steve Holmes]

March 741 cars where crashed bashed written off many times by the Monza Gorilla that it has been hard to keep tabs on these cars
its well known he had 4 tubs on his car
I know of a man who has 1 of these tubs he had the idea to build up a car until i told him he was crazy and he saw logic and went an bought a proper real unmolested March F1 car

there is also another car in usa purporting to be a 741 but as time goes by it seems to be acknowledged by the owner the car is a "replica"
The 741 is one of the hardest cars to nail down although only 2 cars where built

Thats a great point re Brambilla. You can see how, sometimes with old race cars (I'm not referring to the March in particular), two cars are built and four currently survive! Cars are crashed and bashed, and somehow people end up with retired damaged tubs which then in later years re-emerge as a complete car.

[driftwood]

March cars are classic to rebuild/replicate ( i know of 1 person good at making 761 cars!)
McLaren M8s are another car that have been crashed rebuilt in period and then the old tub 5-20 years later is rebuilt up as the car

[kiwi285]

This is a shot of the March 741-1 when it arrived in the country earlier this year, even at 6'2" I can still get into it.
http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/775590_10151271356693568_895122614_o.jpg

Are we referring to NZ here or some other country. If NZ what is your intention for the car ??

Be it original or replica it still looks smart and would make all the right sounds on track.

[Steve Holmes]

Mike, that March is in Australia, not NZ.

[Muscle Car Events]

Perhaps someone could explain to me the significance of this car? I'm a bit confused by it. The name on the door says Colin Bond, but it has the race number 7, with its class designation next to the number. Class designations were only displayed in Series Production until the end of 1972, and were dropped for Group C in 1973. Also, in Series Production, car numbers were based on the class they competed in, working upwards from Class D. So a Series Production Class C car wouldn't normally have such a low number. It'd usually be in the 20s, at least. However, the non-factory Mawer wheels suggest Group C, as these wouldn't be allowed in Series Production. Help! This is too confusing for my tiny brain.

17316

Steve, just to confuse things even more this car belongs to John Anderson (based in Queensland) and is a rebodied Series Production car driven by Bond in 1972 AS 24C...it had a double double life and in the last few years has been displayed as the 72 Bathurst car (with Mawer wheels??>>??) forgive me I don't know why.
It spends considerable time at Ian Tate's workshop and at the wheel you'll find Stephen Tate (son of) who was campaigning the car in (from memory) regularity at this years Phillip Island event with number 24 being obviously already taken. The 'C' has just been left on instead of being removed for Regularity..I have the 40C car as pictured above...... while i'm on to you - what's the update on the Cossack Warrior has/is the restoration underway of my hero car when growing up over there in NZ....Cheers TM.

[Steve Holmes]

Steve, just to confuse things even more this car belongs to John Anderson (based in Queensland) and is a rebodied Series Production car driven by Bond in 1972 AS 24C...it had a double double life and in the last few years has been displayed as the 72 Bathurst car (with Mawer wheels??>>??) forgive me I don't know why.
It spends considerable time at Ian Tate's workshop and at the wheel you'll find Stephen Tate (son of) who was campaigning the car in (from memory) regularity at this years Phillip Island event with number 24 being obviously already taken. The 'C' has just been left on instead of being removed for Regularity..I have the 40C car as pictured above...... while i'm on to you - what's the update on the Cossack Warrior has/is the restoration underway of my hero car when growing up over there in NZ....Cheers TM.

Oh, brilliant! Yes that absolutely makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

Re the Cossack Victor, I'm not too sure where Craig is at with its restoration. He is currently in Queensland, where he'll be racing his AMC Javelin at Lakeside this weekend, with the Historic Muscle Cars/Australian Trans-Am combined races. But he is a member on here, and will hopefully update us when he gets back.