It’s Aus V NZ for F5000s at Phillip Island
THIS weekend’s Phillip Island Classic is an opportunity for Australians and New Zealanders to battle it out.
Ten Formula 5000 drivers from the NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival series are set to cross the ditch for the event which includes the Phillip Island F5000 Historic Grand Prix.
Twenty-one cars have entered the trans-Tasman hit-out at the festival of motorsport, with nine from Victoria and two heading down from New South Wales.
An inaugural trophy organised by members of the Victorian Historic Racing Register is to be presented by F5000 chief of driver standards, Kevin Bartlett.
A champion competitor, Bartlett won major races including the 1974 Bathurst 1000, and said he expects those traveling from NZ to do well.
“[The Kiwis] won’t have any problem,” he said. “Look at all the racing they’ve been doing.
“I’ll have a good chat with them and ensure, along with guys like John Bowe, we… answer all their questions.”
Eleven Australian F5000 drivers will compete at the Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport. Image: JOHN LEMM
Bartlett said the Phillip Island track is a more simple one to approach.
“The new guys will pick it up quickly,” he said.
“It has one blind approach, with plenty of run-off. The track lends itself to a flowing pattern, the straights are longer. You have time to settle down and look at things.”
The Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport is set for Friday 8 to Sunday 10 March.
F5000 qualifying is scheduled for Friday morning before an afternoon four-lap race. On Saturday, five-lap and seven-lap races are set for the morning and afternoon respectively.
A five-lap race on Sunday morning will be followed by the Historic Grand Prix from 12.15pm.
An afternoon 11-lap race is also open to competitors.
Tickets are available at the gate. Don’t forget that patrons under 17 enter free if accompanied by an adult. Gates open Friday 8 March, 8am. Be there! Visit vhrr.com.au for more information.
The final round of the NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series will take place at the Phillip Island Classic. Image: EUAN CAMERON
F5000 entry, Phillip Island Classic 2024
0 Geoffrey Walters NSW Lola T330 1973 Red
1 Bryan Sala VIC Matich A50/51 1971 Orange
7 Tony Roberts NZ McLaren M10A 1969 Papaya Yellow
9 Toby Annabell NZ McLaren M10B 1970 Papaya Yellow
10 Grant Clearwater NZ Maclaren M10A 1969 Yellow
12 Frank Karl NZ McLaren M10B 1970 Green
15 David Crabtree VIC March F5000 1973 White/Orange/Blue
30 Kevin Ingram NZ Lola T332 1974 Red/White
32 Alastair Chalmers NZ Chevron B32 1975 White and Blue
43 Rodney Carroll NSW Lola T140 1968 Orange/White
48 Bruce Kett NZ Lola T332 1974 Light Blue
50 Codie Banks NZ Lola T332 1974 Orange and White
74 Dean Camm VIC Chevron B24 1974 Black
88 Tony Galbraith NZ Lola T332 1974 Yellow
91 David Banks NZ Talon MR1 1974 Black
99 Robert Splatt VIC March F5000 73/15A 1973 Blue
110 Charles Talbot VIC Lola T332 1974 Red/blue/ white
111 Bill Hemming VIC Elfin MR 8 1977 Orange/white
208 Peter Brennan VIC Shellsport Lola T330 1972 Yellow/red
330 Frank Harris VIC Chevron B24 1973 Red
711 Darcy Russell VIC Lola T330 1972 Red
There’s lots more loaded into a bumper edition of AUTO ACTION magazine, on sale at newsagents and available digitally here.
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