The Australian Racing Drivers Club

For members and guests

racing

Ferrari Racing Days speed into Sydney

Ferrari Australasia, Destination NSW and the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) are delighted to announce the first ever Ferrari Racing Days event in Australia; an exciting new racing festival at Sydney Motorsport Park on 12-13 April, 2014.

One of the biggest owner-based events ever organised by Ferrari Australasia, Ferrari Racing Days Sydney will see hundreds of Ferrari vehicles, their owners and Prancing Horse fans converge on the Eastern Creek venue to experience the world of Ferrari through track activities, static and rolling displays, and on-site entertainment.

“Not everyone can own a Ferrari and not everyone can be a racing driver, but anyone can come to Sydney Motorsport Park in April 2014 to see, hear, smell and maybe even touch Ferrari Racing cars,” said Andrew Leithhead, President of the ARDC.

“We are beyond thrilled to host the first ever Ferrari Racing Days in Australia being hosted at Sydney Motorsport Park,” added Ferrari Australasia CEO, Herbert Appleroth. “This is a unique event that will see the biggest collection of Ferraris that Australia has ever seen. We are so excited to not only host our valued Ferrari owners at this event, but we also look forward to welcoming thousands of Ferrari fans and lovers of motorsport and share with us the passion, excitement and glamour that only the world of Ferrari can offer.”

In another Australian first, owners and fans will be able to experience the official Ferrari F1 show, with a genuine factory Formula 1 car taking to the SMSP circuit.

The event will also feature the second round of the 2014 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific (APAC). The Ferrari Challenge series is one of the most popular one-make series in the world; over 2,400 drivers from over 40 different countries have participated since its inception in 1993. Now in its fourth year, the APAC Challenge will open in Sepang, Malaysia, followed by the debut of the Sydney round at Sydney Motorsport Park, and feature the beautiful 458 Challenge mid-rear V8 Berlinetta derived from the 458 Italia.

Ferrari owners will also get the opportunity to take to the track in their own splendid cars to see how they measure up – and drive them the way Enzo Ferrari intended. Other event highlights include displays of the latest complete Ferrari line-up, demonstration run by some impressive models of classic Ferraris, and much more to be announced in due course. Whether you own a Ferrari or aspire one day to have one in the garage, this action-packed weekend is the ideal way to experience the world of Ferrari.

Tickets are available through Ticketek.

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.

Event Wrap: HSRCA Summer Historics

An enormous festival of exquisitely preserved historic cars graced the Sydney Motorsport Park GP circuit over the Nov 23-24 weekend, with a mixed bag of weather conditions thrown in.

A lengthy rain squall on Saturday gave competitors a wet track to negotiate throughout the morning, however it dried out for the afternoon, and finally blue sky and warm conditions prevailed on Sunday for a fantastic conclusion to another wonderful year of historic and classic racing for the HSRCA.
Featuring an extremely healthy entrant list of over 230 open wheel and tin top racers, with beautifully restored cars including a 1951 Cooper Norton Mk V, 1954 Porsche 356B and a 1962 Elphin.

Family cooperation was at its best over the weekend, as we watched Jim Catt assisting his son James to get one of their two family racing Porsches prepared for their joint run in Sb/Sc class, and Rod Hunwick ably assisting son Clay to prepare both of their family Corvettes. Clay had a busy day running the 1965 Corvette in four Regularity events, as well as a gruelling campaign in the Sb/Sc class, which was filled with adventure for him. His weekend started with a fuel clogging issue due to the foam inner of his fuel cell blocking the fuel supply, leaving him with a significant loss of power, and an eventual DNF in race one. Coming back hard on Sunday morning, from a rear of grid start, Clay worked hard to climb up from 29th place to a seventh-place finish.

In race three, his hard work ethic saw an unfortunate side clash with David Withers (Porsche 911) on turn 15, which saw both cars retire prematurely with flat tire and side panel damage. In race four, Hunwick came out hard again, and place a determined fifth spot. Unfortunately, Withers was unable to resume his place in the field in race four.

George Nittis’ thundering Shelby Mustang was consistent all day, but unfortunately a cadre of nimble but awesomely powered Porsches kept him from achieving a top three finish. The Porsches of Morgan (#41), Adler(#9) and Eames (#67) monopolised the podium.
– words and pics by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au

 

Event Wrap- Porsche Club NSW

The fifth and final PCNSW club driving event for 2013 had 45 enthusiastic members battling it out for club honours on the SMSP North Circuit.

Patrick Garvan ‘s 994 Turbo was extraordinarily quick, with the days fastest lap of 1:03 with Paul McKinnon at the wheel, and a 1:07 for Patrick .

Sean Buchanan found out the hard way just how fast Paul was when he was unceremoniously passed and left breathing exhaust fumes, eventually recording a 1:07 himself.

Richard Perini (GT3 RSR) and Bruce Hibbard (GT2), both seasoned campaigners in competitive racing, rounded out the second and third places in the event.

Vivienne MacMahon, who regularly finds herself featuring in the top 10, brought home an impressive 1:08, and Tom McGann’s 1:12 in the 944 s2 continues to eclipse his car owner/benefactor Chris Stannard’s time of 1:13 sec.

PCNSW Club President Paul Dortkamp (928S), himself a regular racing competitor, said: “We are a sporting car club to our core, and many of our 840 members relish the opportunity to regularly get their cars out on the SMSP track. As an active club we run upwards of 5 club motorkhanas and 5 supersprint events annually.”

Unfortunately for Paul, his track time was cut short on Saturday as a timing belt tension puller bolt failed, leaving him garage bound.

– words and pics by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au