The Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport

By: Shaun Tanner, Photography by: Shaun Tanner

Date: 24.05.2024

The Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport is a must-attend event for any motor racing enthusiast

These cars were on FIRE

The sights, sounds and smells of yesteryear took over the picturesque Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, on the Victorian Labour Day long weekend, March 8 to 10. In its 35th installment, the Phillip Island Classic – Festival of Motorsport, held by the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) is the biggest historic motorsport event in the Southern Hemisphere; it’s like Goodwood, but Down Under. 

Autumn certainly fired up its engine, smashing its foot flat to the floor on the old weather gauge with stifling heat on and off the track. On show and competing were 400 of the most desirable classic and historic racing machines from all over Australia and abroad. 

The Classic is a real treat for any passionate motorsport and motoring fan with some truly spectacular racers on show, ranging from tin tops to open wheelers, and everything in-between. Famous, rare and some historically significant machines were spread across 11 different categories, each representing a different era of motorsport.

Populating these categories were makes such as Lola, BMW, Nissan, Elfin, Chevrolet, Porsche, McLaren, Brabham, March, Matich, Ferrari, Alpine, Shelby, Holden, Ford, Lotus, Reynard, Jaguar, Maserati alongside many more.

You won’t get any closer to the action then at this event, for just the price of a ticket you can park up and view anywhere around the outside of the spectacular seaside circuit at your own leisure. Head over the pedestrian bridge and get right amongst it, wander the paddock area where you are greeted by merchandise, some static displays of memorable race cars, venture in and out of the garages, speak to the owners, chat with the drivers, and if you asked nicely, some would even let you sit in the machines to soak it all in. All the while you are surrounded by the glorious sound of race cars opening up the taps in anger.

Off-track entertainment was no different, teeming with precious vehicles spread across various car clubs for the motoring enthusiasts to enjoy. Notably, the L34 Torana celebrated its 50th anniversary since its launch in 1974.Originally designed to take on the Bathurst 1000 and win, doing so in 1975 and 1976. 

The L34 Torana was represented with 43 examples coming together from around Australia, to mark the occasion. One owner drove from Broome, WA to the Island. In addition to the impressive gathering, making the journey down from the National Motor Racing Museum was the recently restored 1976 Bathurst winning L34 Torana of Bob Morris and John Fitzpatrick. They even did a few laps around the track to mark the event as part of a charity parade on Saturday.

For Touring car lovers, the immensely popular historic Group A and Group C beasts running period-correct liveries, from the ’70s to the ’90s, were joined by a couple of Super Tourers and for a full grid of fire-breathing classics. Six gorgeous McLarens made the journey over, from across the ditch in New Zealand. A genuine Ferrari 250 LM took part in the regularity trial and there was a large grid of five-litre touring cars. Open-wheel fans were well catered for with large grids of racing beasts, including many Formula 5000s, Indy Cars and the ever entertaining Formula Fords. Historic F1 cars and wild Le Mans racers were all on show.

Two-time Australian Drivers’ Championship winner in 1966 and 1967, Spencer Martin, was this years Patron. Well-known drivers such as Jonathan Webb, Andrew and George Miedecke, Tim and John Blanchard were on driving duties over the weekend. Starring once again, in his father’s flame-throwing HR31 Skyline was Steven Richards, battling it out at one point with two Ford Sierras. Steve was joined by the whole Richards clan, including Jim.

Unofficially, Thursday kicked off proceedings with some practice sessions, which wasn’t open to the public. Friday, the entrants hit the track in anger and headed out for qualifying in the morning, followed by the first round of races throughout the hot and sunny afternoon. 

Fans who trekked to the Island were treated to a car show in the township of Cowes, on the edge of Western Port and a couple of gear changes from the track. A selection of some of the most stunning pieces of motorsport history, from over many decades, descended oh the main street in Cowes, taking over the restaurant precinct to the delight of visitors. A gaggle of L34s completed the display. Something you absolutely do not see every day. Saturday consisted of two rounds of races, rounded out by Sunday featuring some key races such as a stand-alone Phillip Island Formula 5000 Historic Grand Prix. 

Despite the rarity and valuable nature of the hardware, it didn’t stop drivers leaving it all out on track, just as they were intended to be driven. The unique nature of this event is a whole showcase in competition, not just a show and shine, taking spectators on a journey back to the glory days. A spectacular that is a must see. 

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