2021 PHILLIP ISLAND CLASSIC DATES LOCKED IN

2021 Phillip Island Classic dates locked in – Photo: Bruce Williams

The dates for the 2021 edition of the Phillip Island Classic ‘Festival of Motorsport’ have been confirmed with the popular historic event once again set to bring in big numbers.

By DAN McCARTHY

It has been confirmed by the event organisers, the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) that the classic event will take place from March 5-7, the Labour Day long weekend.

At this point in time the event has been limited to competitors only, however it is hoped that with Melbourne and Victoria emerging from the COVID-19 enforced lockdowns, by March large spectator numbers will be able to attend the event.

“We’ve been working strongly with the managers down there and we’ve come to an agreement, which we feel sure we can move on,” VHRR president Ian Tate told Auto Action.

“It won’t be the bells and whistles of a historic meeting we’ve been used to but we were putting a race meeting on for members, competitors and our supporters over the years who can get their cars out.”

Although the crowd may be limited, Tate pointed out that the competitors certainly won’t be and is pleading with people to enter now and book accommodation as soon as possible.

“There’s no limit on competitors, we are open arms with anyone who wants to race down there,” Tate said.

“We have the same categories as we had this year, Group S, Group N, Regularity, Formula Ford, Group C and A Touring Cars and much more.

“We need people to put their entries in as soon as possible to support the event, and I’m pleading with everyone if they are going to compete at Phillip Island, for goodness sake book your accommodation now because it’s a long weekend.

“People aren’t travelling what they were used to interstate and being a holiday weekend Phillip Island will be busier than normal.”

The three-day event will consist of a day of optional practice on Friday, with each category to run a qualifying session and three races over the weekend.

Many of the machines at the 2021 Phillip Island Classic will not have been driven since the corresponding event this year, which snuck in just days before the COVID-19 Pandemic broke free around the nation.

“Practice on Friday I’m sure will be taken up by a lot of people because it’s better to have a practice on Friday and find out if there is anything wrong with the car which may not have run for 12 months,” Tate said to AA.

“Then we have a qualifying Saturday Morning, Race one Saturday afternoon and two races on Sunday.”

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.