Stage set for Island Classic

All is set for another unmissable edition of the VHRR’s Island Classic event where famous cars and drivers will be taking on an iconic circuit this weekend.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 347 classic cars will be racing around the Phillip Island Grand Prix across a variety of fan favourite classes from Supercars to Formula 5000.

It is the latest edition of the famous VHRR event where cars and competitors have come from as far as England and America to take part.

They won’t be the only stars with Bathurst winners Jonathon Webb and John Bowe, while current Tickford driver Thomas Randle will also be on show steering March 722.

A massive field of Touring Cars will be leading the way with record fields providing fans a dose of nostalgia.

A big haul of Eggleston Motorsport cars will be leading the way, including the HSV Dealer Team VZ Commodore that Rick Kelly steered to the 2006 title at Phillip Island.

Rick Kelly’s 2006 championship winner will be returning to the scene of its success. Image: Mark Horsburgh/LAT Photographic

Another Kelly VE which won the 2007 Clipsal 500, plus can ex Peter Brick VP, the last HRT VF Commodore of Garth Tander in 2016 and Webb’s Great Race winner from Tekno in the same year.

There are also plenty of favourites from the much loved Group C and A eras including Ben Grice’s STP VH Commodore.

Terry Wyhoon’s 15-year-old son Ryan will also steer an ex Tim Slade SBR FG Falcon.

It is not just all about Supercars however, with the largest collection of historic open wheelers anywhere in the southern hemisphere, with some of the most incredible purebred race cars you could hope to see and hear on a track.

Leading the way is the Ferrari 156/85 driven by Michele Alboreto in 1985, while a big field of Formula 5000s and Fords are there to entertain as usual.

The 1985 Ferrari F1 car is returning to the island.

For the first time the Stan Jones Championship will be on the line honouring Alan Jones’ father with the field including J,K and L cars. 

Coming from America will be Ernie Nagamatsu in his special replica Old Yeller V AKA MacDonald Corvette Special honouring Dave MacDonald.

Coming from England includes the first competition Lala built and a Le Mans class winning Morgan.

Ernie Nagamatsu bringing his Old yeller from the US.

The distinctive Porsche 917/30 Can Am is also coming to the island, plus much more.

Off track there will also be over 1000 display cars across the three days.

VHRR’s Michael Herlihy said the stage is set for a special weekend.

“It looks like the event is going to be absolute magnificent,” he told Auto Action.

“We have almost 350 really good, quality cars that will produce quality racing.

Lots of famous cars will be coming to Phillip Island.

“Not only can fans enjoy the racing, but it is one of those events where you can get up close to all the competitors and cars in the paddock.

“It is a friendly event where people can interact with everyone.

“We have some great overseas cars and competitors.

“A magnificent Porsche 913 which in its day was the fastest car in the world and I understand is around $30 million so to see that on track is amazing.

“It is still a huge number of cars at one meeting and makes us the premier historic meeting in Australia and I believe in the Southern Hemisphere and we are pushing really hard to keep that status.

“There is something about the magic of Phillip Island that keeps bringing people here.”

For the first time in the event’s history tickets are available online on the VHRR website.

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