Historic Winton to honour Cortina
THE Historic Winton meet is set for this autumn and a special Ford Cortina anniversary celebration is part of the forty-seventh program.
A Cortina Challenge race, set to mark more-than 60 years of the cars in Australia, is part of the event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May at Winton Motor Raceway, which has been organised by the Austin 7 Club and Historic Motorcycle Racing Association Victoria.
Dating back to 1963, the Mk1 Cortina is a popular historic touring car, and the upcoming challenge is an initiative of the Historic Touring Car Association of Victoria and Cortina Mk 1 Owners Club, in partnership with Historic Winton organisers.
“How better to celebrate the 60-plus years of competition than to have a Cortina Challenge feature race on the short track at the Historic Winton meeting where numerous drivers would have had their first experience of historic racing,” HTCAV secretary, Jim Collins said.
“The challenge is open to all Mk1 Cortina Group Nb and Nc class log booked competition vehicles.
“The Winton short circuit used for Historic Winton has always been considered ideal for the Cortina. The drivers will be checking that they will have the right diff ratio for their car and brakes are in excellent working order before the event.”
Jeff Vaux far from mellow in yellow. Image: PETER KNIGHTS
Historic Winton race secretary, Peta Lee said the competitive nature of the Cortina should not be underestimated.
“Spectators enjoy seeing much beloved, former everyday vehicles race and it draws quite a crowd,” she said.
“Cortinas were a small, family car that was Ford’s competitor to the Holden Torana. In fact, there have been some edge-of-your-seat moments in the past in the Group N events, with Minis and Cortinas entering into close battle, so it will be interesting to see just how competitive Cortina against Cortina becomes.”
Visit ticketebo.com.au/historicwinton for tickets and historicwinton.org for more information.
Top photo – Cortinas lead the Group N race at Historic Winton 2022. Image: CHRIS CARTER
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