Sydney Retro Speedfest, May 3-4

[David Towe]

The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association (HSRCA), in conjunction with the ARDC, is proud to present a brand new classic racing event for 2014, the Sydney Retro Speedfest.
The Sydney Retro Speedfest is set to showcase the best of classic racing cars with a fun, festival atmosphere that all can enjoy. 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 are the highly competitive Formula Fords and menacing Formula Vees, always guaranteed to provide thrilling slipstreaming and plenty of passing.
Trackside Superscreens for better spectating, off track entertainment and displays, this could well shape up as being a great meeting for all.

[KRDG]

Thanks for this tnformation.

Looks good.

Does this replace the biannual tasman revival last run in 2012 or is this an extra event?

Is the revival on in November of this year?

[275 GTB-4]

Website calender says...HSRCA All Historic Summer: Sydney Motorsport Park 29th and 30th Nov 14

[Marcos WTF]

Sounds promising apart from the 'highly competitive Formula Fords and menacing Formula Vees' bit. I've never found Vees' menacing. Boring, yes.

But the rest of the card has me interested.

[David Towe]

I think it's safe to say that the Tasman Revival meeting has never really been a commercial success or garnered huge spectator interest. The thinking is that a well run historic meeting that has some of elements of Phillip Island or Goodwood here in Sydney would be better supported. The crowds at P I last weekend were terrific and the off track exhibits etc. go a long way towards making it better value for money than most. The entry price will include pit access as well. I'm not sure where the superscreen/s (I'm not sure if there will be more than one but I'll let you know if I hear any more) will be located but it should go a long way to easing the criticism that the creek has always suffered, that of not being able to see much of the circuit. I would imagine that one will be located on top of the pit building so a grand stand seat will be a prime one to have.

[RedZedMikey]

David, speaking of Phillip Island .....

[David Towe]

Good shot RZM, taken after lap one of the last race right? You can see the Commodore scar just at the back edge of the door.

[RedZedMikey]

Spot on - definitely last race on Sunday, towards race end.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by RedZedMikey

David, speaking of Phillip Island .....

nice shot...

[pigs fly]

IT will buff out David' little bit of elbow grease will fix it. Good luck at Retro.

[racer69]

Originally Posted by KRDG

Does this replace the biannual tasman revival last run in 2012 or is this an extra event?

I'd been to all the Tasman Revival's and I was hoping the Retro Speedfest would be an extra event, but judging by a post on the HSRCA facebook page and the name given to the HSRCA's event at the end of November seemingly not including the "Tasman" name, i think its safe to say this is the replacement.

I'm looking forward to the Speedfest, but was also looking forward to another Tasman Revival at the end of the year....

[David Towe]

Group A/C is expected to have a field of approx. 35 cars which is an excellent turnout for the first Sydney Retro Speedfest.

[David Towe]

27 cars entered in Heritage Touring Cars (Group A/C) and a couple more expected. I'm not sure how many for other categories but I'll let you know as soon as I hear. Should be a good meeting with lots to do for spectators.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by racer69

I'd been to all the Tasman Revival's and I was hoping the Retro Speedfest would be an extra event, but judging by a post on the HSRCA facebook page and the name given to the HSRCA's event at the end of November seemingly not including the "Tasman" name, i think its safe to say this is the replacement.

I'm looking forward to the Speedfest, but was also looking forward to another Tasman Revival at the end of the year....

Any more Tasman Revivals and the HSRCA would be broke.Only 2008 came close to breaking even and in 2012 the Group N competitors boycott and the very hot weather which kept the crowd to a level barely respectable for a normal HSRCA meeting killed the concept off.

[David Towe]

Over 250 for the meeting and 28 A & C. The last time we ran at an HSRCA meeting, was 2009 with 14 entries in Groups A & C so this is a big improvement. If the meeting is a success and the HSRCA wakes up to the fact that they need to promote tin tops more they might actually make a $$ in future meetings.
Anyway, if you manage to get to the meeting please feel free to drop by and say hello.
Cheers
David

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by David Towe

Over 250 for the meeting and 28 A & C. The last time we ran at an HSRCA meeting, was 2009 with 14 entries in Groups A & C so this is a big improvement. If the meeting is a success and the HSRCA wakes up to the fact that they need to promote tin tops more they might actually make a $$ in future meetings.
Anyway, if you manage to get to the meeting please feel free to drop by and say hello.
Cheers
David

from what I heard Dave...it took a lot of cajoling after a slow start to reach those numbers...hope its successful...

[HeritageTouringCars]

Heritage Touring Cars are excited to be supporting the Sydney Retro Speedfest to be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on 3-4 May 2014.

Sydney fitout and refurbishment company, MPA Projects, are the HTC category sponsors for the event. www.mpa.com.au . Darren Knight is coming up from Melbourne to commentate and Peter Doulman is on board as the category DSO.

Former Bathurst winner (1966!!!) Bob Holden and his "Escort Precision Driving Team" will be there, with no less than six (6) of his former ATCC/Bathurst cars on track.

Terry Lawlor is itching to see what he can do in his recently acquired GIO Nissan GTR R32 at his home track, with Carey McMahon and Craig Markland sure to be putting up some stiff competition in their Nissan Skyline HR31 and Ford Sierra RS500 respectively.

Daniel Cotterill is debuting his Taylor-Kennedy Group C VH Commodore following a comprehensive rebuild over the past 18 months. He shall have some stiff competition from reigning HTC Group C champ, Ed Singleton, who is determined to put his poor showing at Phillip Island behind him. Ed and the STP Commodore, "Elvis" were spotted throwing down some shake down laps at SMP last week, with the smile on Singleton's face indicating all was in order at team STP.

Many interstate-ers are making the trip to the inaugural Sydney Retro Speedfest, with entries from as far as Tassie. Victoria is well represented and there is a contingent from sunny Queensland.

Here is the complete Heritage Touring Cars entry list. 15 x Group A & 13 x Group C, with a good variety across the capacity classes.

We hope to see you there.

Race # Name Team Vehicle Category
2 Jamie McDonald, Masterton Homes, Holden Commodore VK A
4 Terry Lawlor, GIO GTR Group A Racing Nissan Skyline GTR R32 A
6 Edward Singleton, STP Roadways Racing/MPA Projects Holden Commodore VH C
7 Norm Mogg, On Line Recruitment Holden Commodore VL SS A
8 Craig Markland, Group 24/7 Worldwide Ford Sierra RS 500 A
12 Tony Pallas, All Classic Car Restorations Jaguar XJS A
13 Bob Holden, Bob Holden Motors Toyota Corolla A
14 Greg Keam, Bob Holden Motors Ford Escort RS2000 C
17 Bill Pye, W Pye Ford Mustang A
18 Carey McMahon , Gibson Motorsport Nissan Skyline HR31 A
24 Frank Binding, Army Reserve Racing Ford Falcon XD C
26 Mike Ward, Wardsport Holden Torana A9X C
29 Paul Axiak, Pet-X Racing Holden Commodore VK A
32 Bryan Taylor, Source Distribution Racing Ford Mustang A
34 Lindsay Woollard, Civilcomm Holden Commodore VC C
41 David Paterson, Bob Holden Motors Toyota Corolla A
44 David Towe, E.S.S. Motorsport BMW M3 A
45 Justin Matthews, Bob Holden Motors Ford Escort Mk11 C
46 Bill Cutler, Bill Cutler Optometrist BMW M3 A
48 Kerry Post , Fletchers Transport Holden Isuzu Gemini C
50 Richard Prince, Rev Doctor Motorsport Volvo 240T A
53 Russell Keam, Bob Holden Motors Ford Escort Mk11 C
54 Michael Logiudice, Noodles Racing Isuzu Gemini C
65 John Douglas, J Douglas Mazda RX7 C
69 Daniel Cotterill, D Cotterill Holden Commodore VH C
73 Barton Mawer, Holton Spares Racing Ford Escort C
83 George Nittis, Ocean Seafoods/Blaze Performance Ford Sierra RS 500 A
93 Steve Axisa, Custom Air Conditioning Holden Gemini C

[David Towe]

I can't answer that Mick, what I can say is that the whole set up has been terrific. Instead of the are behind the pit lane garages being full of trailers it's full of race cars in marquees which is fantastic. The variety has been good and the whole thing has run like clockwork. Of course my feelings could be seen as biased because of the day I've had today but in all honesty it's a great meeting.

[old fart]

Geez David you had it by the halfshafts-black car, dusk and a pack of lesser mortals behind you!!
Seriously it is a great meeting however I have never seen so many drivers spinning, binning or bogging on the out lap. Some big dollars went up in smoke today because of drivers evident incompetence and/or stupidity-hopefully tomorrow will see them learning from their mistakes and get onto some great racing we are accustomed to seeing.

Good luck tomorrow mate.

[David Towe]

Had race one today for the taking with a decent lead as the end of the opening lap loomed, but a blown head gasket lubricated the front tyres at a totally inappropriate time which left me with no other course of action but to park it in the interests of safety for me and for my fellow competitors. Rather disappointing as there were some good championship points on offer today.
I thought the meeting, with the few initiatives employed this weekend worked well and I hope that the organisers can tweak it just a little next year which I think will make it a serious success. My personal thanks to Terry Lawlor, Ed Singleton, MPA Projects, Ocean Foods of Drummoyne, the ARDC and the HSRCA for giving all of us a chance to race in Sydney again.

[old fart]

Bad luck David, you certaintly had the race shot to bits.
Another day of great racing overall with the Group A&C putting on an excellent display.
A pity it the same could not be said for some of the other groups-multiple bingles with an open wheeler rolling over the top of another car and one competitor being involved in his second bingle in as many days even with double yellow flags out. I hope the stewards look at it in the strongest possible manner.
Fires, blow ups, multicar bingles, you name it we had it!
Not the ideal way to remember historic racing.

[David Towe]

I must say that I thought the whole thing went off perfectly and that the delays were completely understandable. there were no rent-a-cop attitudes from officialdom there and it was so easy to get things done and answers to questions.
Those who went, what would you change about the event? Promotion, categories, the paddock layout ie. back to trailers/transporters behind the garages instead of the marquees, ticket prices, etc.??? The reason I ask is that sadly I think some organisers are to arrogant to actually ask or consider what the paying public wants in a race meeting. PM me if you want.
Cheers
David

[peterelise]

I competed in Q&R and thought the whole thing was pretty well run. Thought the way they accommodated all the entrants in either the marquees or pit garages was pretty good, thought the schedule and track time was great and didn't even mind the inability to get private vehicles into the paddock area considering how many entrants there were attending.

I know a number of races were affected by red flags and that M&O in particular lost a lot of race time because of that but that's clearly not the fault of organisers.

Some in our category were not in favour of sports cars and open wheelers being on track at the same time and I agree it isn't ideal. I suspect it is the way it is because there has been trouble filling grids if they are run as separate events but I am only guessing as I have only been involved since late last year.

I also liked the fact that the racing was being livestreamed and was being shown on a big screen with course commentary. I wasn't aware it was being streamed until after the event and it would have been good to get the word out about that but perhaps the organisers thought that might encourage people to stay at home and watch it online.

All in all, I thought the meeting was well run and I would come back again and would be happy to recommend it to others.

[David Towe]

Good feedback Peterelise. I hope that we get another 10 competitors in our category for next year and if each category could do that it would make it quite a bit better. like you I only found out about the live streaming after the event and agree it would probably have an effect on spectator numbers like live football coverage does. If they allowed trailers to be parked on the skid pan and people did their loading there at the end of the meeting the paddock are could be improved as well making it more spectator friendly. I liked the idea of not being allowed to pack up before 4.30 so the public doesn't just see empty garages straight after each category finished their last race but the organisers allowed trucks/trailers in from about 1.30 so it failed. I know the crowd was a bit disappointing from a personal standpoint, but how are they to grow the event if we don't adhere to the initiatives they put in place and give the crowd chance to see the cars and talk to the drivers/crew.

[old fart]

The skid pan was in use by competitors as part of the paddock area so guess you may mean the figure 8 facility.
That was used for officials to park so they don't have to traipse around the hilly area in the dark after the meeting-they had to park on the hill for the Ferrari event and it was not great due to all the water run off, mud etc. The trailer area is the same as that used over many years when large fields prevent trailers, transporters and tender vehicles from utilising the hard stand areas such as paddock and skid pan.
The overall format appeared to work well and a lot more track time could have been had if drivers had not been so crash happy. The fact that safety cars are not utilised a number of red flags and race restarts resulted in less track time.
Do you think the use of a safety car would assist somewhat ?. A couple of situation arose where even safety car usage would not have helped but that is the nature of the sport.
A good start for the concept and it can only get bigger and better in the future.