Historic Racing: Where the cars are the stars
The cars you now see racing, in what is called “Historic Racing”, come from a past era. From the 1920s you may see a Bugatti T35, or from 1992 it could be a Group A Touring car. Historic Racing in a way has something for everyone. Many of the cars you will see at the Tasman Revival meeting lead very busy lives, some race consistently in other parts of the world, others travel interstate regularly whilst many compete just inside our fair State.
The HSRCA expects there to be over 400 cars entered for the 2010 Tasman Revival meeting. One fabulous thing about Historic Racing is the ability of the spectators to be up close to the cars they see in action. Where else can you get close to a Formula One car, or a LeMans racer or a Group A Commodore and many other famous cars, all within the same pit area?
Historic Racing is the fastest growing branch of motorsport worldwide. To be eligible, a car must have competed in racing at some time during its life in the period it represents. The authenticity of each car and its racing history is checked by the Confederation of Motorsport (CAMS) and when it is confirmed that the car is true in its specifications for that period, the car is given a logbook. For cars competing from overseas, CAMS uses similar paperwork issued in the country of origin.
What makes Historic Motorsport so appealing for the competitors, is that the owner is invariably the driver of the car, and most often also prepares the car for racing. This leads to Historic competitors who are not only passionate about their car’s on-track activities, but also in keeping alive the spirit of the car with regards to its past life.
As you walk around the pits, many of the cars have a tremendous history; some even have a Formula One background. All of the owners and drivers are very knowledgeable about their cars, and enjoy talking about them, so feel free to ask any questions of them whether it be what they are like to drive, the history of the car or even how fast will it go.
Another aspect of Historic Motorsport is that there is no paid sponsorship of the cars. The cars are here because of the enthusiasm of the owners and drivers. Of all the Motorsport categories today, Historic racing is the only one that embraces this ethos.
For the motorsport enthusiast, then, Historic Racing is a smorgasbord of wonderful racing cars with the sounds, smells and activity not able to be enjoyed at modern race-meetings. There is nothing like the smell of hot oil, hot coolant and scorched brakes to enhance the visual effect.
The cars depicted here are typical of their category.
The following categories will be competing at the 2010 Tasman revival meeting
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established after 1977.
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established between 1970-1977.
GROUP QA – 1968-1972
Historic Racing Cars with treaded tyres and wings with a competition history established between 1968-72.
GROUP O – 1966-1969
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established between 1966-1969.
GROUP M – 1961-1965
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established between 1961-1965.
GROUP L – 1941-1960
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established between 1941-1960.
GROUP K – 1931-1940
Post Vintage Thoroughbred Cars with a competition history established between 1931-1940, and ‘one-off’ specials constructed using major components from that period.
GROUP J – PRE 1930
Vintage Cars with a competition history established prior to the end of 1930 together with ‘one-off’ specials constructed using major components from that period.
Formula 5000 racing cars pre 1978
Formula Ford racing cars with competition histories 1969-1983
GROUP A – 1984-1992
Production Touring Cars with competition histories.
GROUP C – 1973 – 1984
Production Touring Cars with competition histories.
Production Touring Cars of a type which competed in Australia between 1965-1972
Production Touring Cars of which at least 100 were produced prior to 1965.
GROUP NA – PRE 1958
Production Touring Cars commercially available in Australia prior to 1958
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1970-1977.
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1961-1969.
GROUP SA – 1941-1960
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1941-1960.
GROUP V – 1965-1974
Formula Vee single-seater racing cars with a competition history between 1965 and 1974.
REGULARITY – PRE 1970
Sports, GT & Invited Cars manufactured prior 1970.
