2008
Phillip Island Classic Race Report
A
staggering 480 entries were accepted for the 2008 Phillip Island Classic,
held from 7-9 March. The meeting showcased a record number of overseas
entries complimenting the wonderful collection of local owned cars.
The format of the weekend has been modified with practise limited
to Friday morning followed by qualifying for all categories in the
afternoon. Overcast conditions settled over the circuit in the morning
with periods of light rain. But as the forecast predicted the sky
lifted and the afternoons’ qualifying sessions were held in
sunshine, which set a precedent of things to come for the weekend.
For the keen enthusiast the chance was there to wander through the
extensive and partly refurbished paddock area to soak in the atmosphere
before the major crowds of the weekend. The Victorian Historic Racing
Register has now modified the paddock layout to allow for more trade
stalls and static display behind the garages.
Part of this display area was taken up by the Porsche display, put
on jointly by Porsche AG and Porsche Cars Australia. The feature car
for 2008 (following from 6 cars air freighted in 2007) was the all-conquering
1973 Porsche 917/30 Spyder. This 917 is the third of four built and
not only smashed the closed circuit speed record clocking an average
speed of 242mph, but is also blamed for the demise of CanAm racing.
The cars was de-tuned for Phillip Island to produce a maximum of 1,000BHP
(normally 1,100BHP in race trim and 1,500BHP in qualifying trim) and
was demonstrated by Jim Richards with great skill.
The meeting focused on so many attractions including; 80 celebrations
of the first Australian Grand Prix (held at Phillip Island in 1928),
50 year anniversary of the birth of Formula Junior, a record entry
of 35 Formula 5000’s and an overall record overseas contingent.
With the stand-out list of overseas cars entered came a superb list
of name competitors – the event Patron, John Bowe drove two
cars, a Brabham BT14 and Lola T430. MotorSport journalist Simon Taylor
competed in Bob Harborow’s Maybach. Sam Healey (the grandson
of Donald Healey) drove Stephen Pike’s Austin Healey during
his stay in Melbourne, and Clare Surtess (of the famous dynasty) drove
an original Singer Le Mans during the weekend. Local hero Glenn Seton
also showed his ability in the mostly over 3 litre Touring Car events
driving a Ford Capri.
Another overseas car showing the patina of age and use was the Bugatti
T39 – one of only five examples built and the sole survivor.
The car looks like a T37 from the front, but houses a straight-eight
unsupercharged engine and a much longer stream-lined wheelbase.
Another example of a truly historic vehicle was the freshly restored
1932 Scuderia-Alfa Tipo B ‘P3’. Peter Giddings took possession
of the car only weeks ago after an exhaustive no-expense spared New
Zealand restoration. Completed to the highest standard Peter experienced
some teething problems with gear ratios and fuel mixtures, but all
was forgotten upon the sound of the massive hair dryer screaming down
the main straight each lap.
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