Huge international line up set for Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010
A mammoth International contingent is again what the Tasman Revival has that no other Historic event in Australia can match. As at the time of writing there are 45 overseas entries confirmed including a swag of cars from our 1960s era. Once again Graham Adelman will be bringing both his Ferrari 246T and the most gorgeous sounding car ever, the BRM P126.
Thinking forward, the 3rd running of the Tasman Revival will see some great competition at the front of the field. From the entries so far it looks like the winner may be any of four makes of car, Lotus, Brabham, Ferrari, or BRM, and maybe there is a dark horse in there as well.
Firstly we will have the 2006 winner, John Smith in the Dawson-Damer family’s Lotus 49. Then the 2008 winner, Rob Hall in Graham Adelman’s Ferrari 246T Dino. Add to that equation the car Sir Jack Brabham drove to many victories in 1967 to come 2nd behind team- mate Denny Hulme, the Brabham BT24 of Brian Wilson. (more…)
Win a Lotus Elise draw moved to 28th November
The draw for our Win a Lotus Elise competition has been moved back one day and will now take place on Sunday the 28th of November at 4PM to allow for greater crowd participation.
Please head to our Win page for more details, or click here.
Information about the Pit Straight Car Club Picnic Day and the associated registration and booking form is now online as well, just head to our corporate hospitality page here, or grab the documents below.
PIT STRAIGHT CAR CLUB PICNIC DAY
Club cars with a PIT STRAIGHT CAR CLUB sticker on windscreen will be permitted to park track side on the spectator mound on pit straight in their exclusive club area. Please note BBQs are not permitted at Eastern Creek Raceway.
All orders must be placed by the 5th of November 2010
Sir Jack Brabham – Patron of the Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010
Sir Jack Brabham has accepted the HSRCA’s invitation to be the Patron of our biggest and most important race meeting. Sir Jack was invited some time ago but his health has not been good and he asked for time to consider our request. We are delighted that he can make it and appreciate the personal effort that his visit will require.
Sir Jack and Lady Brabham will arrive in Sydney early on the morning of Sunday 28th November and spend the day at Eastern Creek.
Everything that can be written about Sir Jack Brabham has appeared in print many times, but in the context of the Tasman era it is worth reiterating that he won three F1 World Drivers’ Championships (1959, 1960 and 1966) and is the only man to have won the World Championship in a car bearing his name. That is a record likely stand for all time.
In 1959 he became the first man to win the World Championship in a rear-engined car and no one has ever won in a front-engined car since. The only drivers to have won more World Championships than Jack are Fangio, Prost and Schumacher. (There have 31 Champions over 50 years – Sir Jack is the oldest surviving World Champion). He also introduced European-style formula cars to Indianapolis and this, more than anything, spelled the end of the outdated Indy roadster. He paved the way for future Indy winners including Jim Clark and Graham Hill in similar cars.
There is no way one can compare drivers from different eras as the sport/business has changed so much. However, one clear difference is that F1 drivers in the 1960s drove just about anything with four wheels and Jack was successful in Formula 2, sports cars and sedans. At his unforgettable 70th birthday party put on by the HSRCA at the (then ANA Hotel in Sydney) when asked how cars had changed, Jack said, “In my day we had to steer, accelerate, brake AND change gears!’
One of the most popular features of the Tasman Revival is the attendance of the men we call the Legends – the drivers from the period we celebrate. What a wonderful opportunity to see them all together again, this time with our World Champion amongst them. Don’t miss it!
Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010 Accomodation Packages
Odyssey Travel are offering fabulous packages to the Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010.
Program Includes:
- Return transfers from Sydney airport to Eastern Creek.
- 3 night’s hotel accommodation in en-suite share twin rooms.
- Breakfast daily.
- 3 day pass to the Tasman Revival meeting.
Program excludes:
- Travel to and from Sydney.
- Please contact your Educational Travel Adviser for assistance.
- Meals other than breakfast.
- Items of personal nature i.e. laundry, telephone calls
Accommodation
The Chifley Eastern Creek is set on 1.1 hectares at Eastern Creek Raceway and is ideally located just 2km to the junction of the M4 and M7 motorways allowing for easy access to Homebush, Sydney Olympic Park and all areas of Sydney.
The 4½ self rated hotel offers 104 stylishly appointed trackside and courtyard guest rooms and suites. Chifley Eastern Creek also boasts three conference and function rooms catering for up to 200 delegates.
Coldwater Creek tavern is now open and provides the perfect venue for a casual or business lunch or dinner, or to relax with colleagues and friends for pre or post dinner drinks. The hotel also offers complimentary onsite parking, business centre, indoor lap pool and gymnasium.
If you enjoy car racing, this hotel is ideally located only minutes from one of the country’s premier motor sport facilities.
Call Odyssey Travel on 1300 888 225
For more information or to request a booking click here
Classic Car Club Picnic: Entry forms now online
Show cars with CAR CLUB sticker on windscreen will be permitted to park track side on the spectator mound on pit straight in their exclusive club area. Driver and passengers pay at gate as per spectator fee.
Adults – $20 (includes admission to competitor paddock & grandstand)
Children 12 & under FOC
Download your entry and information forms here
Matich SR4: Winner of 1969 Australian Sports Car Championship driven by Frank Matich
Few Australian made racing cars have the credentials of the SR4.
Its racing history speaks for itself; 19 starts, 19 pole positions, 15 wins, 8 lap records and only one defeat (second due to throttle spring problem requiring a stop). A car that was faster than the Formula One cars of the era, driven by one of Australia’s best ever drivers.
Built in Sydney by Henry Nehrybecki for Frank Matich to take to the 1968 CanAm series, it raced only in Australia, unlike its equally famous sister car, SR3. It totally dominated the class and lead to coining of the phrase “doing a Matich” (i.e. to take pole, to win, take the fastest lap and also the lap record).
The frame is made from tubular steel and weighs only 81 pounds (35 kg), extremely light considering the power of the engine, which was 550 BHP as raced. The gearbox is a Hewland LG500 with 4 forward gears and reverse. The gearbox is the only major item not made in Australia since the uprights, wheels, brakes and even the steering rack were locally produced. The body is made from fiberglass though the original intention was for this to be aluminium.
The engine was a 760 series 5 litre Repco Brabham quad cam racing engine developing around 550 BHP. (Shorter block 3 litre 860 series engines were used for Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme’s Repco Brabhams in 1968).
The SR4 was retired from racing at the end 1969 since there was little else to be achieved for it in Australia. Also a year had slipped by making a later foray into CanAm series futile. In any case Frank Matich had his eyes on the emerging F5000 series.
The car was cosmetically restored by Don Halpin while still owned by Repco during the eighties and was for many years displayed at the Birdwood and then the Launceston auto museums. It was never possible to undertake a full and running restoration since the engine in it was very much incomplete. Acquisition of a complete and running engine from Les Wright some years ago made the full restoration feasible and this was carried out by Jim Hardman. The engine in the car is actually an ex Jack Brabham Indy engine of 4.2 litres, though of the same external appearance as the 5 litre version originally fitted. Naturally this has been set up to operate on petrol as opposed to methanol as per Indy. A 5 litre engine is now in preparation.
Nigel Tait, managed the restoration and movements of the SR4 over the last years of Repco’s ownership and subsequently during ACL’s ownership, and purchased it from ACL in July 2005.
In 2006 a full chassis restoration was undertaken since it was 38 years since it was constructed. It is a testament to Henry Nehrybecki’s workmanship that it was found to be in excellent condition with only minor repairs needed and only one tube required replacement to upgrade the seat belt mountings to modern standards. Jim Hardman undertook most of this work including making new aluminium skins and undertray and reassembly.
The car has been taken to a number of circuits for display and demonstration and has been driven by John Bowe and Brian Sampson and as well as by Nigel Tait and Jim Hardman at various events. Due to its historical importance and the scarcity of critical engine components for the quad cam engine (which may well be the only one still running) there are no plans for the car to revert to all out racing.
Win a Lotus Elise for $50
This is your chance to win a fabulous Lotus Elise valued at $45 000.
Refurbished by Lotus Australia, this 2004 Elise is one of the ex Trophy Race cars and will be registered and insured for the winner.
Just 1250 tickets will be sold in aid of the Historic Sports and Racing Car Association.
Tickets can be purchased by cheque or credit card.
Cheques should be made out to the HSRCA and sent to PO Box 5063, Turramurra South, NSW 2074 with a covering note including your name, address, contact phone number and number of tickets required
Credit card (MasterCard & Visa only) payments can be mailed to the same PO Box or sent via email: members@hsrca.org.au with the same details included
Note that it is essential to provide an address in all transactions.
Ultimate Goodwood Getaway Winner Announced
Peter Mahony, a regular HSRCA competitor in his Group M Sports Bolwell, was the lucky holder of ticket number 2482 drawn on the 6th July.
Peter has won a trip for two to England to see the famous Goodwood Revival meeting on 17-19 September 2010.
His prize includes
2 Premium economy return tickets to London (ex Sydney)
2 premium grandstand entry passes (3 days)
7 nights accommodation for two (including Breakfast)
7 days car rental
The prize is valued at a whopping $17,000.
Start packing your bags Peter!
Category Focus: Regularity
The Regularity Category is for Sports, GT & Invited Cars manufactured prior 1970.
Expect to see a smorgasbord of interesting vehicles including Mini’s, Cobra’s, Datsun’s, Alfa’s, Jaguar’s, Holden’s and Ford’s
Ferrari 246T and and BRM P126 confirmed for 2010 Tasman Revival
Graham Adelman from Virginia USA has also confirmed his intent to make a return visit with both his Ferrari 246T and BRM P126 cars which he brought to the 2008 Tasman Revival meeting. Both cars will be shipped from the UK where they are cared for by Hall and Hall at Bourne.
The Ferrari was driven by Chris Amon to finish second in the 1968 Tasman Series with wins at Levin and in the NZGP at Pukekohe and a very close second to Jim Clark in the AGP at Sandown. After a 40 year absence from Australia it was driven by Rob Hall to win the 2008 Tasman Revival race at Eastern Creek and should be a front runner again this year. The V12 BRM which Graham drove himself in 2008 was driven by both Bruce McLaren and Richard Attwood in 1968 and scored a win at Teretonga in McLaren’s hands.
Via: Ed Holly’s M and O Racing newsletter.
Images: Trent Wallis and Peter Schell
Tasman Revival entry forms now online
The entry forms for the 2010 Tasman Revival Meeting are now online.
The 2010 event is set to be the biggest and best yet, so get your entries in now.
Entry Forms for both National and International entrants can be found by clicking here.
Neil Cunningham eyes F5000
According to reports in Autosport, veteran historic racer Neil Cunningham is planning to compete in the 2010/2011 Tasman Revival Formula 5000 races.
Autosport says” The Kiwi has begun talks with car owners in both the UK and in NewZealand, aimed at securinga competitive ride.
Cunningham said” I have always been a huge fan of F5000 and the time is now right to try and win races back home. The category is huge in New Zealand. I want to be in a position to win and plan to test a car here shortly to prepare”"
Via: Autosport
Images: neil-cunningham.com , MotorsportRetro.com
Category Focus: Groups Sb and Sc
Group Sb and Sc are hugely popular categories featuring production sports cars.
1. Group SB – 1961-1969
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1961-1969.
2. Group SC – 1970-1977
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1970-1977.
Expect to see Porsche 911′s, MGB’s, Sprite’s, Alfa Romeo GTV’s and BMW’s
Category Focus: Groups Q and R
Groups Q and R is a popular category that covers historic racing and sports cars, but generally is full of single seaters.
1. Group Q – 1970 – 1977
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established between 1970-1977.
2. Group– 1977 – 1986
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established after 1977.
Expect to see Ralt RT1 and RT4s, Cheetahs, Brabhams, Chevrons, Elfins and March chassis. Engine capacity from 1.6 -2.0 litres.
Images: Trentwallis.com
Category Focus: Formula 5000
Formula 5000, for pre 1978 racing cars, is one of the most spectacular historic racing categories. F5000 cars were part of the Tasman Series from 1970 and helped build the legends of drivers like John McCormack, Graham McRae, Max Stewart, Frank Matich and Warwick Brown to name a few.
The category features an intoxicating mix of machinery including McLaren’s, Chevron’s, McRae’s, Surtees, Elfins, Beggs and the popular Lola T330, T 332′s and T430s.
Images: TrentWallis.com
Category Focus: Group N Production Touring Cars
Group N is a popular category that covers three types of production touring cars
1. Group NC – Production Touring Cars of a type which competed in Australia between 1965-1972
2. Group NB – Production Touring Cars of which at least 100 were produced prior to 1965.
3. Group NB – Production Touring Cars commercially available in Australia prior to 1958
Expect to see Ford Capris, Mustangs,, Cortinas and Falcons, Minis, Jaguars, Valiant Chargers, Holden EH’s and Monaros
Images: TrentWallis.com
Tasman Legends: Frank Matich
Always a very quick driver who often outqualified the overseas competitors in the ’60s , especially at Warwick Farm. He also competed in Formula 5000s, first in a McLaren and then in a Matich, a car he built and designed himself. A winner of the Australian Drivers Gold Star and twice winner of the Australian Grand Prix.
Here is a story about Matich by Ray Bell
“Anyone who followed racing in the sixties and early seventies knew the name of the best driver in Australia. Frank Matich. Undisputed, even though at times he was restricted to sports cars. Everyone knew that if he had an open wheeler he’d better everyone else. (more…)
Category Focus: Formula Ford
Formula Ford has been a hugely popular series of racing in Australia for over 40 years.
The Historic Formula Ford Category caters for Formula Ford racing cars with competition histories from 1969-1983.
Chassis include Elfin, Lola, March, Bowin Reynard and Corsair.
For more information visit: HistoricFormulaFord.com
Images: TrentWallis.com
Peter Schell Photo Gallery: Tasman Revival 2006
A series of wonderful photos from Peter Schell. Tasman Revival Meeting 2006
Trent Wallis Photo Gallery: Tasman Revival 2008
Fabulous photo Gallery from the 2008 Tasman Revival Meeting.
Images: Trent Wallis
Car Profile: Ferrari 246T 0004
Owner: Graham Adelman – Virginia USA
Drivers: Graham Adelman / Rob Hall
This Ferrari was built in 1967 as a type 166 F2 car with a 1600cc V6 engine but was upgraded to 2.4 litre Tasman specification for the use of Chris Amon in the 1968 series.
Amon was runner up in the series to Jim Clark’s Lotus 49 with wins in the NZ GP at Pukekohe and at Levin, and second place finishes at Wigram and In the AGP at Sandown. The Sandown race was notable for a well remembered close battle in which Amon finished only 1/10 sec behind Clark in what was Jim’s last victory.
On its return from the Tasman series the car was converted back to 166 specification and was driven with some success by Tino Brambilla in European and South American F2 events during 1968 and 1969. It is one of only three Tasman Ferraris built and has been owned by various collectors in the USA since the early 1970’s.
Graham Adelman recently acquired one of the original 2.4 litre Tasman V6 engines and the Tasman Revival will see the cars first appearance since its restoration to full Tasman specification by Hall and Hall in the UK.
Tasman Revival 2006: Race Report
Over the years I’ve written quite a number of these race reports – you might think I’d be getting quite comfortable with the role by now.
But as I write this, my last report, it seems just as hard as the first time I wrote one while John Sexton was still editing this magazine. I think the fact that so much work, by so many people, went into the organisation of the Tasman Revival, I should really try to do it justice. Fact is, as so often happens, I didn’t get to see much. Luckily you will see that I’ve enlisted the help of some friends to add their comments. Nonetheless this will be less a race report and more just a series of observations. Maybe a future report?
And, as usual, you will find some details in some of the Group Gossip reports later in this magazine; in particular turn to Steve Wood’s coverage of the event where you’ll find some details of the racing amongst the cars that were the real feature of this event. (more…)
Tasman Revival 2008: F5000 Thunder from turn 9
Great clip of the F5000 monsters exiting the turn 9 hairpin.
Tasman Revival 2008: Onboard in a Bug Eye sprite
Some excellent onboard race footage featuring XYZ in a Sprite
