The Australian Racing Drivers Club

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The 2014 Barry Sheene Festival of Speed

The ninth Annual Barry Sheene Festival of Speed was held at Sydney Motorsport Park on March 21st-23rd. Three sensational days of motorcycle racing were held under cloudy but dry skies, albeit at times very warm temperatures.
Featuring both International and Australian motorcycling stars, both old and new, who all came together to celebrate a life cut short, and to honour Barry Sheene’s memory and his love of motorcycling in the spirit of fun, friendship and rivalry. Just the way Barry enjoyed his beloved sport.
A healthy cohort of international riders, teams and personalities were in attendance. Scout Fletcher (NZ) joined Maria Costello (UK) as they came to battle with our very own Leanne Nelson, who edged the other two ladies back into third and fourth place respectively in the P6 125cc class. Leanne saw off the other two ladies challenge with the second highest points score for the weekend with 114 points. Congratulations to Jason Dunn taking first with 119 pts.
The Kiwi’s brought over a large contingent to contest Leg #1 of the Trans Tasman Challenge, with high hopes of retaining their hold on the TTChallenge Cup. For the first time racing in Australia two of Japans’s leading domestic racers Yugi Terada and Tomiki Adachi are riding in the P5 Unlimited class.
As expected some spirited racing dogfights were eagerly awaited, none more anticipated than the contest between Cameron Donald and Mike Dibb on their 1100cc machines. With nary a tyre diameter between them all day, they swapped race wins over the weekend, until finally Dibb (119 pts) took a 3-2 race win lead, edging out Donald (116 pts), with Mizzi (87 pts) and Japans’ Adachi ( 71pts) rounding out the 30 field.
In Formula 2 Sidecar racing, Beare Boys Racing (Aus) combo of Dwight and Noel Beare, were simply unbeatable, taking a clean sweep of both the Australian F2 three race series, as well as the two Trans Tasman races. Noel was excited saying “… this is the best result we could hope for and gives us the confidence we need to fair well at our upcoming assault on the Isle of Man TT F2 sidecar race meeting in May/June.”
A very good crowd attended the BSFoS three-day race meeting and gave strong encouragement to the 250 racing entrants. One of the drawcards on the program for the crowd, was the three-lap Parade on Sunday, available for spectators to ride their bikes around the 3.9km circuit, an honour that few have the opportunity to do, especially in the company of such international luminaries as Phil Read who led the parade.
– Words and pictures by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au

 

Ricciardo smashes lap record at Top Gear Festival Sydney

Saturday 8 March 2014, SYDNEY: Formula One™ star Daniel Ricciardo didn’t disappoint the crowds at the first day of Top Gear Festival Sydney when he smashed the previous lap record from the 2013 Festival on his first attempt.

An annual crowd favorite, the young Australian driver made plenty of new fans today, including Top Gear’s presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May, when he blitzed the lap record attempt. In the beautiful Sydney sunshine, Top Gear Festival host Jeremy Clarkson, was almost lost for words, but not quite: “That was almost unbelievable. You climbed into a car you don’t know, tyres you don’t understand, on a track you’ve never been to and took a couple of milliseconds off the lap record. That was an astonishing time!” A beaming Ricciardo clocked up 1:13:08 beating Mark Webber’s previous record of 1:13:6060 and was heard to ask “What was it?” as he climbed out of his Infiniti Red Bull Racing car.

Clarkson and May proceeded to ask Ricciardo about his win and the upcoming Formula One season, to which Ricciardo responded, “It’s great to get the lap record on the first day and give the crowd a good show. It’s awesome to be back in Australia.” “Feeding off the adrenaline from the Top Gear Festival Sydney, I’m really looking forward to racing in front of the home crowd in Melbourne next weekend,” Daniel said. Ricciardo will see if he can improve upon his own time again tomorrow, so fans should get out to Sydney Motorsport Park to see Perth-born Daniel, our new Formula One Aussie hope, in action.

Sydney Retro Speedfest: The New Classic Racing Festival

The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association (HSRCA), in conjunction with the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), is proud to present a brand new classic racing event for 2014, the Sydney Retro Speedfest.

To be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on the weekend of 3-4 May 2014, the Sydney Retro Speedfest is set to showcase the best of classic racing cars with a fun, festival atmosphere that all can enjoy.

The Sydney Retro Speedfest will provide a unique opportunity to view the precious metal that contributed to Australia’s ‘golden era’ of Motorsport. The long list of exquisite cars will include Sports cars from the 60’s and 70’s including Porsches, Corvettes, Alfa Romeos, Austin Healeys and MGs, Classic Sports Racing Cars from Matich, Elfin, McLaren and Lola, and the super-quick open-wheelers from Ferrari, Brabham, Lotus, Elfin, Ralt and Chevron.

The Speedfest will also celebrate the ever popular Sedans, from Touring Cars of the 60’s and 70’s such as Mustangs, Camaros, Toranas and Minis, to the Heritage Touring Cars which wowed the crowds at Bathurst from the 70’s through to the early 90’s. Fans can expect to see the legendary cars of this era including Commodores, Falcons, Skylines, Sierras, BMWs, Corollas and more. And not to be forgotten will be the highly competitive Formula Fords and menacing Formula Vees, always guaranteed to provide thrilling slipstreaming and plenty of passing.

“This event will allow enthusiasts to enjoy first-hand the spectacle and excitement of the pinnacle of classic racing, and there will be entertainment for all family members,” said Peter Schell of the HSRCA.

ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews agreed: “The ARDC celebrated 60 years in 2012, we have come from classic Grass Roots racing and what better way to celebrate it than a festival of this nature.”

The paddock area will be open and free to all ticket holders, allowing a close and personal experience of the cars, the crews, and the atmosphere that makes classic racing such a fantastic spectator sport.

In a ‘festival of speed’, the racing cars are the stars, but the Sydney Retro Speedfest will also feature a static display of rare gems from many of the country’s finest car clubs, an opportunity to experience a race simulator, and a chance to win a track ride in a race car. Family fun will not be forgotten with live music, a fashion show and a jumping castle planned.

For more information, please contact members@hsrca.org.au.

Ricciardo returns home for Top Gear Festival Sydney

14, NOVEMBER 2013, SYDNEY – Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo and the world championship winning ‘Infiniti Red Bull Racing’ Formula One team are set to take to the track for the first time together in Australia at Top Gear Festival Sydney in March 2014.

Ricciardo, who was recently confirmed as taking over the hot-seat from Mark Webber for the 2014 F1 season, will attend the Festival for the first time and will be involved in a series of Top Gear style challenges in the RB7, as well as having the chance to set the new lap record at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Webber currently holds the record, having shaved an impressive six seconds off the previous record at Sydney Motorsport Park with a cracking time of 1:13.6060 at the 2013 Top Gear Festival Sydney.

Ricciardo, who will be behind the wheel of the Infiniti Red Bull Racing car for the first time in front of an Aussie crowd, is looking forward to taking part in the event.

“I can’t wait to be on home soil next year for Top Gear Festival Sydney. Only a select few Australians have raced in Formula One and I’m proud to be flying the flag now for Australia.” said Ricciardo.

“The Festival weekend is going to be an adrenaline-loaded few days. From all reports, Mark put on quite a show earlier this year so it’s great to be given the opportunity to be a part of the 2014 Festival and I’m really looking forward to taking on the challenges set by the Top Gear boys!”

With Formula One technical regulations set to change to smaller turbo-charged engines from 2014, it will be the last chance for fans to experience the thrill of the naturally-aspirated V8 engine live on track in Sydney. The Infiniti Red Bull Racing RB7 is one of the most dominant Formula One cars of modern times and the same car Webber broke the record with earlier this year. Fans keen to relive the excitement of this year’s festival can tune into Channel 9 on Thursday 21 November for a Top Gear Special filmed at Top Gear Festival Sydney. As well as a multitude of madcap motoring synonymous with Top Gear the programme includes some exclusive footage of Clarkson and May’s unorthodox pep talk prior to Webber setting the lap record.

Tickets for next year’s Festival are now on sale and fans are encouraged to buy early to join the tens of thousands of fans who are expected to attend. Jeremy Clarkson and James May are all set to join the stars and cars as they host the 2014 edition. They’ll be taking on Australian Top Gear presenters Shane Jacobson and Steve Pizzati in a series of challenges including the extremely popular Car Football and The Stig will be taking some of the rarest supercars the country has ever seen for some impressive power laps. Jeremy Clarkson said, “I’m very much looking forward to the Top Gear Festival in Sydney next March. On the downside, I’m afraid I’m bringing the pedantic spaniel James May with me. On the plus side, Daniel Ricciardo is going to have a crack at the lap record in a Red Bull F1 car and that should be very excellent indeed.”

New to the line-up in 2014 is the highly anticipated first round of the Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup. The Porsche series primarily uses the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 997) car and will be the headline racing category at the event. Proudly supported by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, Top Gear Festival Sydney will once again be a key event on the NSW Calendar.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, said, “It is fantastic to see The Infiniti Red Bull Racing team are returning for a second year to the Festival, this time with Daniel Ricciardo behind the wheel.” “I encourage racing fans to purchase their tickets to the Sydney-exclusive 2014 Top Gear Festival to be held over the weekend of Weekend of 8-9 March, 2014 at Sydney Motorsport Park.”

The event will be held across the weekend of the 8-9 March, from 8:30am till 6:00pm each day, at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek.

Tickets available now from Ticketek – 132 849 –

In Australia, Top Gear can be seen on BBC Knowledge, first on Foxtel with brand new episodes coming in early 2014, and then on the Nine Network and Go! About Top Gear Festival Sydney 2014 Offering a variation on more traditional motor shows the Top Gear Festival Sydney brings the spirit of the UK TV programme to life, allowing fans to immerse themselves in their passion for Top Gear and motoring in general.

Transforming Sydney Motorsport Park into the ultimate outdoor motoring spectacular, Top Gear Festival Sydney is taking place on 8-9 March, 2014 and will once again feature a host of never seen before action and stunts. Following a highly successful inaugural event in 2013, which attracted over 40,000 motoring enthusiasts over two days, the 2014 event will be attended by Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and The Stig, along with some of their legendary racing mates and celebrity friends, live in non-stop racing action.

TOP GEAR FESTIVAL SYDNEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Top Gear Festival Sydney will see the best of the best put to the test, where anything with an engine will be pushed to its limits.

DATE: 8 – 9 March, 2014, 8:30am – 6:00pm each day

LOCATION: Sydney Motorsport Park, Ferris Road, Eastern Creek

TICKETS: Tickets available now from Ticketek – 132 849 – –

Porsche Rennsport Australia Festival a huge success

Porsche Cars Australia – Great Racing, Great Cars, Great Porsche Spirit
Porsche fans in Australia have given the country’s inaugural Rennsport Festival a resounding vote of approval.
Porsches old and new, from road and track, local and abroad together with famous faces and enthusiasts of the German marque filled Sydney Motorsport Park on the May 25-26 weekend in a celebration of all things Porsche.
The superb on-track action from twin one-hour Porsche Carrera Cup Australia enduros and triple header Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli races was complemented with a showcase of stunning and priceless Porsches both on display and on track.
In all, more than 240 Porsches took to the circuit in the weekend’s 37 track events with another 120 immaculately presented in the Porschestrasse display, Concours d’Elegance and Show’n’Shine. Together with privately owned vehicles driven to Rennsport the total number of Porsches at Sydney Motorsport Park was estimated at more than 500, with a crowd of approximately 4,000 over the two days.
In Carrera Cup action it was Elite Class driver Max Twigg and V8 enduro specialist Luke Youlden that took round three honours while up-and-comer Richard Muscat took a clean sweep of victories in the GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli.

 

Historic race cars drawing special attention on and off the circuit were the 1981 Le Mans-winning Porsche 936, 2005/6 American Le Mans Series LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder, the ex-Vern Schuppan Porsche 956C from the Japanese Sportscar Championship of the mid ‘80s, the Le Mans class-winning 996 RSR from 2002 and the ex-Alan Hamilton 1968 911 TR – the car that, as Alan Hamilton relayed on the weekend, “came within 10 yards” of winning the 1969 Australian Touring Car Championship.
A Porsche new car showroom display, Porsche Kids Driving School, Porsche Panamera NSW Police Car and skidpan and 4WD off-road activities with the Porsche Sports Driving School ensured there was never a dull moment for Porsche aficionados.
“The feedback from Porsche competitors, Porsche car club members and the general public to the inaugural Rennsport Ferstival in Australia has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Porsche Cars Australian Managing Director, Michael Winkler.
“You measure the success of special events such as this not only by what happens on track but by the number of smiles and feeling of camaraderie in the garages.”
The milestone event was celebrated on the Saturday evening with a gala dinner for 220 special guests, acknowledging past and present Porsche legends in Australia including: Porsche distributor Alan Hamilton, tarmac racing Porsche king Jim Richards, the most successful Carrera Cup racer in the world Craig Baird, and director of Porsche’s Historic Racing Department Klaus Bischof.
“People are already asking me when the next Rennsport will be,” says Winkler. “The honest answer is ‘I don’t know right now’ but we are certain to have another, even bigger and better judging by the success of our first attempt.”
Porsche Rennsport Australia Motor Racing Festival results:
Porsche Carrera Cup, round three:
1st Max Twigg / Luke Youlden (2011 GT3 Cup Type 997)
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli, round two:
1st Richard Muscat (2006 GT3 Cup Type 997)
Porsche Sports Cars
1st Russell Kempnich (Porsche 956)
Group S & Group N under 2500cc
1st Wayne Seabrook (911 T)
Group S & Group N over 2500cc
1st Bryan Taylor (1974 Carrera)
Regularity 1
1st Greame Evans (911 T)
Regularity 2
1st Nathan Johnston (911 SC)
Regularity 3
1st Phil Treloar (996)
Rennsport Show ‘n’ Shine Trophy
1st John Pisani (356A 1959)
Rennsport Australian Porsche Clubs Trophy
1st Stephen Richardson (911 Carrera RS 1973)
Rennsport Peoples’ Choice Award
1st Antony Martin (911 SC 3.0 1980
Rennsport Concours D’Elegance Trophy
1st Ron Goodman (356 Cabriolet 1953)
Rennsport Concourse D’Elegance Masterclass Trophy
1st Paul Muras (928 S4 1989)

 

Porsche Rennsport Australia Motor Racing Festival

Porsche Cars Australia is pleased to announce the inaugural Porsche Rennsport Australia Motor Racing Festival, held on the weekend of May 25 and 26, 2013 at Sydney Motor Sport Park.
The format of the exclusive all-Porsche event will be centred on the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, which will both headline the weekend’s racing schedule. Other events will include several all-Porsche races, Regularities and historic demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday.
Recent improvements to the circuit facilities will allow the entire circuit, figure 8, skid pan and four wheel drive track to facilitate various events and activities throughout the weekend.
Off-track attractions will include the Porsche Concours d’Elegance and Porsche Show ‘n’ Shine, while the Porsche Sport Driving School and Porsche Kids Driving School will provide the full spectrum of the Porsche driving experience to those big and small.
The action will start at 8:30am both days, with tickets available at the gate (online sales have now closed). Weekend Passes just $55 for adults and $5 for children 17 and under (with a paying adult). Daily passes are $30 for adults, and again, $5 per day for a child. Parking is free!
Porsche Rennsport Australia Motor Racing Festival is set to be a true ‘Festival’ of all things Porsche. We look forward to seeing you there.
Visit www.rennsportaustralia.com.au for more information.