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Muscle Car Masters confirms race categories for new-look event

The Australian Muscle Car Masters has confirmed its line-up of racing categories and demonstration sessions for 2016.

The 12th running of the nation’s most successful retro motorsport event, to be held on the new date of October 29-30, will see the return of five popular race categories plus a class making its Masters debut, the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series.

The returning categories are Heritage Touring Cars (Group C/A), Touring Car Masters, Australian Trans-Am, Historic Touring Cars (Group N) and Group S (production sports cars).

The Kumho V8 Touring Car Series is the unofficial third-tier of V8 Supercar racing, providing a chance for the Commodores and Falcons of previous seasons to continue their racing lives. Many teams run their cars in period liveries.

In addition, there are dedicated demonstration sessions for ‘Supercars’ from the Australian 5.0-litre Touring Car Association.

The 2016 Masters will also feature a new ‘Sports Racing Car Invitational’ demonstration session for historically-significant vehicles. Invited cars will come from the ranks of Sports Sedans, GT cars, plus Can-Am, Le Mans-style and Big Banger sportscars.

Heritage Hot Laps will be rested for 2016.

A special all-Mini race, for cars from the Group Nb ranks, will be held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Morris Cooper S’s win in the 1966 Bathurst 500.

The ultra-popular Pit Straight Car Club Corral and Featured Muscle Marques display and parade will have twin focuses in 2016. Ford’s contribution to Australia’s performance heritage will be celebrated in the month the company winds up manufacturing in this country. Meanwhile, Brock Commodore owners will be encouraged to attend to mark the 10th anniversary of Peter Brock’s passing and 30 years since the launch of the VL Group A.

The Masters will also host the 2016 A9X Torana Club Nationals and a unique pitlane walk for spectators.

The Masters has been run at Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) since 2005. The joint-venture partners, the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club Ltd and nextmedia Pty Ltd (publishers of Australian Muscle Car magazine), announced late last year that the 2016 event will move from its Father’s Day slot to the last weekend of October by popular demand.

The date change separates the Australian Muscle Car Masters from the venue’s round of the 2016 V8 Supercars championship as both meetings have been run in close proximity for the last three years, including twice on consecutive weekends. The move to late October was welcomed by competitors, officials and motorsport enthusiasts. The date change was especially popular with those previously unable to attend the retro racing event due to Father’s Day family commitments.

Main race day in 2016 will held on the exact same date of the first event, October 30, 2005.

Tickets are now on sale at musclecarmasters.com.au.

New era begins for Muscle Car Masters

The Australian Muscle Car Masters has a new slot on the motor racing calendar for 2016: the last weekend in October.

The nation’s most successful retro motorsport event had been run at Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) on the Father’s Day weekend in September for the past 10 years. In an announcement today from the joint-venture partners, the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club Ltd and nextmedia Pty Ltd (publishers of Australian Muscle Car magazine), the 2016 event will be run on the weekend of October 29-30.

By popular demand, this date change will successfully separate the Australian Muscle Car Masters from the venue’s round of the 2016 V8 Supercars championship. Both meetings have been run in close proximity for the last three years, including twice on consecutive weekends.

The move to late October will be welcomed by competitors, officials and motorsport enthusiasts and is expected to boost crowd attendance at both events.

The date change will be especially popular with those previously unable to attend ‘the Masters’ due to Father’s Day family commitments.

The full line-up of race categories and new on-and-off-track activities will be announced early in 2016.

The ultra-popular Pit Straight Car Club Corral and Featured Muscle Marques display and parade will have twin focuses in 2016. Ford’s contribution to Australia’s performance heritage will be celebrated in the month the company winds up manufacturing in this country. Meanwhile, Brock Commodore owners will be encouraged to attend to mark the 10th anniversary of Peter Brock’s passing and 30 years since the launch of the VL Group A.

 

The 10th Muscle Car Masters

The 10th running of the Australian Muscle Car Masters was held on its usual Fathers Day weekend in weather reminiscent of the first MCM back in 2005. Saturday saw sporadic showers over the course of the day, and Sunday had longer breaks of dry weather but the showers were more intense.

The crowds were consistent with past years as many families, some even with strollers, came out to enjoy the wonderful spectacle of the “big banger” muscle cars of both Australian and American origins. Mustangs, Camaros, Pontiacs and Chevys matched it with Monaros and Commodores. Notably this year, John Bowe suited up and was seen driving the old Bob Jane Monaro of yesteryear fame.

There were plenty of great old restored cars on display including original Minis (not the current day re-incarnation) , a superb range of restored Mustangs, Pontiac GTO’s and V8 Commodores as well as a bustling trade show section under the grandstand. Trade displays included the massive semi-trailers with their branded logo wearables, offering all your favourite drivers look-alike gear.
Touring Car Masters had their custom t-shirts van, and Custom Karts had a wonderful display of very cool looking SuperKarts, They did a great job of giving advice to anyone who was interested in finding out how to get a grass roots start in motorsport, or just wanted to have a really fun time and enjoy the karting experience. The Telcalemet V8 race car simulator was a major attraction, and provided an exciting, and dry, simulation of the power and feel of a true V8 supercar experience. One customer was heard to say it wasn’t for the faint-hearted.
Over on the Figure 8 were the Historic Rally car demonstrations, in the capable hands of veteran rally drivers Neal Bates, Cody Crocker, Dave Thompson and Stewart Reid. Spending the day with these experienced chaps was Molly Taylor, the number one lady rally driver in the world. She was great to watch as she threw a big XY GTHO around the tight figure eight shaped track with consummate ease.

During the middle of the day, a one hour legends lunchtime autograph signing took place up in the Hinxman Room. With a line that was out the door it was a popular event and it was a great opportunity for fans to meet their racing hero’s of the past. It was a very special time for both kids and their dads as well. Names like Alan Grice, John Bowe, Jim Richards and and John Harvey were there in person giving of their time and offering friendly banter with both fans and their fellow driver alike. It was a wonderful session and the fans loved it.

Words by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au

 

2014 Muscle Car Masters – Special On-site Member Parking!

In addition to Members and Member Guests receiving complimentary general admission entry to this fabulous event, the ARDC is also pleased to confirm that a special area within the P3 car park (just before the North Paddock vehicular tunnel) has been set aside for free on-site Member parking. Spaces are limited, so it’s absolutely First In = Best Dressed!
To take advantage of this Member benefit and ensure speedy access to the venue on the day, please read the following conditions and instructions carefully:

ID Required
Please bring your current ARDC Membership Card with you. No ID = No Free Entry.

P3 Member Parking is limited
At big events like the Muscle Car Masters, space is always at a premium, and in the instance of wet weather (which can affect ground surface quality), the parking capacity of the P3 hill may be even further reduced. Therefore, once capacity has been reached, Members will be redirected to the nearest available spaces. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Access to P3 Parking
Access is via the Main Entrance, Gate A off Ferrers Rd. Please have your ARDC Membership Card handy to show to the designated Parking Assist personnel upon arrival at Gate A.

Every person in the car MUST have a valid entry pass to the event.
These include:-
• A Valid ARDC Membership Card or ARDC Members Guest Card(s).
• Pre-purchased MCM event ticket(s).
• Other approved MCM event accreditation.
• A Valid Proof of Age or Concession Card (for Children 12 years and under, or companion card holders).

If you or any person in your vehicle does not have any of the above you will be directed to a priority parking area on Sydney Dragway to park and easily purchase your additional tickets at the ticket box offices at Gate A.
Avoid delays on the day. Please ensure all travellers are ticketed before the event by clicking HERE and ordering now!

2014 MCM Timetable
Parking open: 6.30 a.m.
Gates and Ticket Box Office open: 6.30am
Circuit Activity: 9am – 5:30pm, circuit closed at 6:00pm
A timetable and full travel information will be released on MuscleCarMasters.com.au and SydneyMotorsportPark.com.au closer to the event.