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Spencer Martin to bring Island Classic to life

Spencer Martin driving the Scuderia Veloce Racing Ferrari 250LM at Warwick Farm August 1965 Image JOHN ELLACOTT

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: January 22, 2024

The VHRR’s Island Classic is always one of the highlights of the Australian motorsport calendar and the 2024 edition will be the latest example.

The special historic racing event will feature all sorts of favourites, from some of the most famous Great Race winners to Formula 5000s and Le Mans racers.

But leading the way will be a famous name in Australian motorsport – Spencer Martin.

Martin is a two-time Gold Star – Australian Drivers Championship – winner and was one of the best open-wheel and sports car racers in the 1960s.

His crowning moments arrived in 1966 and 1967 when he went back-to-back driving for Bob Jane in a Repco Brabham BT11A.

Martin also raced a Ferrari 250LM for David McKay’s Scuderia Veloce Racing and competed in many sports car races, taking several big event wins alonf the way.

Victorian Historic Racing Register president Ian Tate confirmed Martin will be a headline guest come March 7-10 and will even drive a Ferrari 250LM around the famous sweeping bends of Phillip Island. 

“We can confirm that two times Gold Star champion Spencer Martin will be patron of the meeting,” Tate revealed to AUTO ACTION.

“Spencer drove for the late Bob Jane and won the Gold Star back-to-back in 1966/67 in a Repco Brabham BT11A.

“At our event he will drive a very special Ferrari 250LM, which arrives in Australia on February 8. 

“This car is similar to the Ferrari 250LM which Spencer raced to many victories in the mid 1960s. “He will drive the Ferrari and lead the cars around in the parade lap for the Q& R Sports car race.”

In a further boost for the Island Classic, Tate said the VHRR is anticipating a strong field of 400-plus entries.

“It’s coming along really well. We’re are very happy with the entries,” he said.

“Entries have picked up since Christmas, which is traditional. But as of today, we’ve got about 370 entries. 

“It’s slowly getting back to pre-COVID numbers – COVID damaged us no question.

“We’ve still got another couple of weeks to go before entries close, and we’re hoping to get our traditional 400-plus entries, which will be absolutely sensational.”

The Island Classic is always a fantastic event and a highlight of Australia’s motorsport calendar so make sure you leave the weekend of March 7 to 10 free.

For further details visit www.vhrr.com 

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Head here for more of the latest motorsport news.

On the latest RevLimiter podcast they also talk about the parity in Supercars and the changes in the series. Other topics include engine testing, Ludo Lacroix joining Premier, Max Verstappen’s Formula One car, NASCAR, and Gilligan’s Route 66 tour to the Chicago Street Race.

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here

 

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