2007
Historic Winton, 26-27 May
Three
days of sunny winter conditions hosted the 31st Annual Historic Winton
on the traditional last weekend in May date, although the bright sun
also appeared numerous times with the amount of red flag incidences
– particularly on Sunday.
The
old track (as usual) was used for the weekend, which allowed for better
spectator vantage points and closer racing by pegging back the bigger
capacity cars, which tend to perform well at circuits like Eastern
Creek and Sandown with their long straights. Competitors made their
annual pilgrimage to Winton to continue battles started one, two or
ten years ago. The battle continued in the early Group Lb races.
The
battle royale was between the Coopers of Dick Willis (Mildren Cooper)
and Fred Greeneklee (Cooper JAP) who fought in close battles in the
weekends two scratch races, whilst back in third place most of the
weekend was “the mighty roar” of Bill Morris’ Keift
Grand Prix car, which was driven by Greg Snape.
Some
of the most exciting battles of the weekend took place in the Group
O, Q, & R racing car events. The young guns in their less developed
cars swapped positions all race, every race well ahead of the more
advanced RALT’s. Jamie Larner in his Chevron B42 and Andrew
Makin in his March 73B both tussling for the lead in all races. Best
performing RALT went to Geoff Calvert, although Andrew McCarthy is
quickly coming to terms with the nature of his RT4, which he acquired
recently. Laurie Bennett was in a class of his own all weekend in
Group O in his Elfin 600 well ahead of the other O cars and battling
with some of the RALT’s.
Production
Sports car races became a Porsche benefit after a knock to Peter Hall’s
Datsun 240Z sent him to the rear of the field, a position he continued
to make up across the remaining part of the weekends two scratch races,
notwithstanding the handicap event on Sunday morning. The handicap
event was won by Barry Finlay (Lotus Super Seven S4) from Don Bartley
and Hamish McLennan in Austin Healey Sprite and MGB respectively.
The final event was won again by Verwoert in the RS Carrera followed
by Terry Lawler and Michael Byrne snuck the Louts Super 7 S4 in for
a hard fought third. The horsepower duo fought hard throughout the
race with Ross Jackson (De Tomaso Pantera) not being able to get by
George Nittis (Shelby American GT350).
Without
doubt the best racing of the weekend came from the Formula Ford field.
One could not be a betting man as the lead and placings changed constantly.
Eventually, though Jonathon Miles won the feature in his Reynard R
Type from. Nick McDonald came back to finish third after a spin, narrowly
beaten by Keith Simpson in the Penrite Oil Van Dieman.
Peter
Brock was remembered across the weekend with the first appearance
in over 40 years of his first car – an Austin 7 (see the event
photo gallery), which has been renamed BROCK 01. The Peter Brock Foundation
has aquired the car, which forms a significant part of showcasing
the history of the early days of Brock. This was followed up with
a Ford vs Holden battle on Sunday, as well as the increasing numbers
in the tribute to Great Aussie Specials parade. 7 Delage’s took
part in the parade lap too, celebrating the 1927 World Championship
win.
