Sir Jack Brabham – Patron of the Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010
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Sir Jack Brabham has accepted the HSRCA’s invitation to be the Patron of our biggest and most important race meeting. Sir Jack was invited some time ago but his health has not been good and he asked for time to consider our request. We are delighted that he can make it and appreciate the personal effort that his visit will require.
Sir Jack and Lady Brabham will arrive in Sydney early on the morning of Sunday 28th November and spend the day at Eastern Creek.
Everything that can be written about Sir Jack Brabham has appeared in print many times, but in the context of the Tasman era it is worth reiterating that he won three F1 World Drivers’ Championships (1959, 1960 and 1966) and is the only man to have won the World Championship in a car bearing his name. That is a record likely stand for all time.
In 1959 he became the first man to win the World Championship in a rear-engined car and no one has ever won in a front-engined car since. The only drivers to have won more World Championships than Jack are Fangio, Prost and Schumacher. (There have 31 Champions over 50 years – Sir Jack is the oldest surviving World Champion). He also introduced European-style formula cars to Indianapolis and this, more than anything, spelled the end of the outdated Indy roadster. He paved the way for future Indy winners including Jim Clark and Graham Hill in similar cars.
There is no way one can compare drivers from different eras as the sport/business has changed so much. However, one clear difference is that F1 drivers in the 1960s drove just about anything with four wheels and Jack was successful in Formula 2, sports cars and sedans. At his unforgettable 70th birthday party put on by the HSRCA at the (then ANA Hotel in Sydney) when asked how cars had changed, Jack said, “In my day we had to steer, accelerate, brake AND change gears!’
One of the most popular features of the Tasman Revival is the attendance of the men we call the Legends – the drivers from the period we celebrate. What a wonderful opportunity to see them all together again, this time with our World Champion amongst them. Don’t miss it!
Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010 Accomodation Packages
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Odyssey Travel are offering fabulous packages to the Lotus Sydney Tasman Revival 2010.
Program Includes:
- Return transfers from Sydney airport to Eastern Creek.
- 3 night’s hotel accommodation in en-suite share twin rooms.
- Breakfast daily.
- 3 day pass to the Tasman Revival meeting.
Program excludes:
- Travel to and from Sydney.
- Please contact your Educational Travel Adviser for assistance.
- Meals other than breakfast.
- Items of personal nature i.e. laundry, telephone calls
Accommodation
The Chifley Eastern Creek is set on 1.1 hectares at Eastern Creek Raceway and is ideally located just 2km to the junction of the M4 and M7 motorways allowing for easy access to Homebush, Sydney Olympic Park and all areas of Sydney.
The 4½ self rated hotel offers 104 stylishly appointed trackside and courtyard guest rooms and suites. Chifley Eastern Creek also boasts three conference and function rooms catering for up to 200 delegates.
Coldwater Creek tavern is now open and provides the perfect venue for a casual or business lunch or dinner, or to relax with colleagues and friends for pre or post dinner drinks. The hotel also offers complimentary onsite parking, business centre, indoor lap pool and gymnasium.
If you enjoy car racing, this hotel is ideally located only minutes from one of the country’s premier motor sport facilities.
Call Odyssey Travel on 1300 888 225
For more information or to request a booking click here
Classic Car Club Picnic: Entry forms now online
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Show cars with CAR CLUB sticker on windscreen will be permitted to park track side on the spectator mound on pit straight in their exclusive club area. Driver and passengers pay at gate as per spectator fee.
Adults – $20 (includes admission to competitor paddock & grandstand)
Children 12 & under FOC
Download your entry and information forms here
Matich SR4: Winner of 1969 Australian Sports Car Championship driven by Frank Matich
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Few Australian made racing cars have the credentials of the SR4.
Its racing history speaks for itself; 19 starts, 19 pole positions, 15 wins, 8 lap records and only one defeat (second due to throttle spring problem requiring a stop). A car that was faster than the Formula One cars of the era, driven by one of Australia’s best ever drivers.
Built in Sydney by Henry Nehrybecki for Frank Matich to take to the 1968 CanAm series, it raced only in Australia, unlike its equally famous sister car, SR3. It totally dominated the class and lead to coining of the phrase “doing a Matich” (i.e. to take pole, to win, take the fastest lap and also the lap record).
The frame is made from tubular steel and weighs only 81 pounds (35 kg), extremely light considering the power of the engine, which was 550 BHP as raced. The gearbox is a Hewland LG500 with 4 forward gears and reverse. The gearbox is the only major item not made in Australia since the uprights, wheels, brakes and even the steering rack were locally produced. The body is made from fiberglass though the original intention was for this to be aluminium.
The engine was a 760 series 5 litre Repco Brabham quad cam racing engine developing around 550 BHP. (Shorter block 3 litre 860 series engines were used for Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme’s Repco Brabhams in 1968).
The SR4 was retired from racing at the end 1969 since there was little else to be achieved for it in Australia. Also a year had slipped by making a later foray into CanAm series futile. In any case Frank Matich had his eyes on the emerging F5000 series.
The car was cosmetically restored by Don Halpin while still owned by Repco during the eighties and was for many years displayed at the Birdwood and then the Launceston auto museums. It was never possible to undertake a full and running restoration since the engine in it was very much incomplete. Acquisition of a complete and running engine from Les Wright some years ago made the full restoration feasible and this was carried out by Jim Hardman. The engine in the car is actually an ex Jack Brabham Indy engine of 4.2 litres, though of the same external appearance as the 5 litre version originally fitted. Naturally this has been set up to operate on petrol as opposed to methanol as per Indy. A 5 litre engine is now in preparation.
Nigel Tait, managed the restoration and movements of the SR4 over the last years of Repco’s ownership and subsequently during ACL’s ownership, and purchased it from ACL in July 2005.
In 2006 a full chassis restoration was undertaken since it was 38 years since it was constructed. It is a testament to Henry Nehrybecki’s workmanship that it was found to be in excellent condition with only minor repairs needed and only one tube required replacement to upgrade the seat belt mountings to modern standards. Jim Hardman undertook most of this work including making new aluminium skins and undertray and reassembly.
The car has been taken to a number of circuits for display and demonstration and has been driven by John Bowe and Brian Sampson and as well as by Nigel Tait and Jim Hardman at various events. Due to its historical importance and the scarcity of critical engine components for the quad cam engine (which may well be the only one still running) there are no plans for the car to revert to all out racing.
Win a Lotus Elise for $50
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This is your chance to win a fabulous Lotus Elise valued at $45 000.
Refurbished by Lotus Australia, this 2004 Elise is one of the ex Trophy Race cars and will be registered and insured for the winner.
Just 1250 tickets will be sold in aid of the Historic Sports and Racing Car Association.
Tickets can be purchased by cheque or credit card.
Cheques should be made out to the HSRCA and sent to PO Box 5063, Turramurra South, NSW 2074 with a covering note including your name, address, contact phone number and number of tickets required
Credit card (MasterCard & Visa only) payments can be mailed to the same PO Box or sent via email: members@hsrca.org.au with the same details included
Note that it is essential to provide an address in all transactions.
Ultimate Goodwood Getaway Winner Announced
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Peter Mahony, a regular HSRCA competitor in his Group M Sports Bolwell, was the lucky holder of ticket number 2482 drawn on the 6th July.
Peter has won a trip for two to England to see the famous Goodwood Revival meeting on 17-19 September 2010.
His prize includes
2 Premium economy return tickets to London (ex Sydney)
2 premium grandstand entry passes (3 days)
7 nights accommodation for two (including Breakfast)
7 days car rental
The prize is valued at a whopping $17,000.
Start packing your bags Peter!
Brian McInerney Photo Gallery 2: Tasman Series 1967 – 1969
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Here are some more wonderful images from the Tasman Series from 1967 – 1969 by photographer Brian McInerney.
They are an absolute treat, because this is the first time they have been published in any medium for 40 years.
Brian is a professional photographer and in the 1960s he was the young assistant photographer at Channel Seven in Sydney. For each of the Tasman Series races in 1967, 1968 & 1969 he acquired a press photographer’s pass and had complete access to the drivers and the track.
As a result he has a truly remarkable collection of images of the Tasman Series stars, including Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Derek Bell and the local heroes.
Brian is set to releases a series of Tasman Series framed prints, so watch this space.
Images: Brian McInerney, Fine Image Gallery ©
Category Focus: Regularity
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The Regularity Category is for Sports, GT & Invited Cars manufactured prior 1970.
Expect to see a smorgasbord of interesting vehicles including Mini’s, Cobra’s, Datsun’s, Alfa’s, Jaguar’s, Holden’s and Ford’s
Tasman Legends: Vern Schuppan
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Vern Schuppan won the Rothmans International Series Formula 5000 series, driving a Lola T332 and placed second in the 1976 Australian Grand Prix driving an Elfin MR8. In 1978 he was runner up in the Rothmans International Series.
Originally from from Whyalla, South Australia. He drove in various categories, but arguably most of his success was as a sports car driver and was heavily associated with Porsche till the end of his career.
His sports car career, particularly at the Le Mans 24 Hours flourished, firstly as a long term member of the Mirage team and later as a member of Porsche’s official factory squad. After coming close to victory many times, a win finally arrived in 1983.
Schuppan participated in 13 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, mostly for Ensign and Surtees, making his debut on May 12, 1974. He failed to score any championship points during his sporadic six year career.
In 1971 Schuppan won the British Formula Atlantic Championship and this led to a test drive with BRM.
In 1972 whilst BRM’s test driver he tried unsuccessfully to qualify for the 1972 Belgian Grand Prix. However Schuppan had some good non-championship race finishes with a fourth in the Victory Race and a fifth in the International Gold Cup. In 1973 he finished ninth in the BRDC International Trophy in a BRM.
Schuppan competed in three Indianapolis 500 races (1976, 1979, 1981), with a best result of third in 1981 driving a McLaren-Ford. He won the 1974 and 1976 Macau Grand Prix races, dominating the 1974 by four laps.
He was the 1983 Japanese Sports-Prototype Champion, and followed his 1976 5th place finish, 1975 3rd place finish and 1977 & 1982 2nd place finishes of the 24 hours of Le Mans by winning in 1983 driving a Porsche 956 with Al Holbert and Hurley Haywood. In 1984 he finished 6th at Le Mans with former Formula One World Champion Alan Jones. He had a number of other podium finishes in the World Sports Car Championship. These include a second in the 1973 & 1982 Spa 1000km, third in the 1983 & 1984 Fuji 1000km and a third in the 1985 Selangor 800km races. Schuppan also placed third in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
With Japanese backing, he also produced a road going evolution of the Porsche 962 called the Schuppan 962CR. At the then price of 195 million yen (1.5 million USD) only six were built.
Via : Wikipedia
Ferrari 246T and and BRM P126 confirmed for 2010 Tasman Revival
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Graham Adelman from Virginia USA has also confirmed his intent to make a return visit with both his Ferrari 246T and BRM P126 cars which he brought to the 2008 Tasman Revival meeting. Both cars will be shipped from the UK where they are cared for by Hall and Hall at Bourne.
The Ferrari was driven by Chris Amon to finish second in the 1968 Tasman Series with wins at Levin and in the NZGP at Pukekohe and a very close second to Jim Clark in the AGP at Sandown. After a 40 year absence from Australia it was driven by Rob Hall to win the 2008 Tasman Revival race at Eastern Creek and should be a front runner again this year. The V12 BRM which Graham drove himself in 2008 was driven by both Bruce McLaren and Richard Attwood in 1968 and scored a win at Teretonga in McLaren’s hands.
Via: Ed Holly’s M and O Racing newsletter.
Images: Trent Wallis and Peter Schell
Tasman Revival entry forms now online
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The entry forms for the 2010 Tasman Revival Meeting are now online.
The 2010 event is set to be the biggest and best yet, so get your entries in now.
Entry Forms for both National and International entrants can be found by clicking here.
Neil Cunningham eyes F5000
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According to reports in Autosport, veteran historic racer Neil Cunningham is planning to compete in the 2010/2011 Tasman Revival Formula 5000 races.
Autosport says” The Kiwi has begun talks with car owners in both the UK and in NewZealand, aimed at securinga competitive ride.
Cunningham said” I have always been a huge fan of F5000 and the time is now right to try and win races back home. The category is huge in New Zealand. I want to be in a position to win and plan to test a car here shortly to prepare””
Via: Autosport
Images: neil-cunningham.com , MotorsportRetro.com
Category Focus: Groups Sb and Sc
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Group Sb and Sc are hugely popular categories featuring production sports cars.
1. Group SB – 1961-1969
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1961-1969.
2. Group SC – 1970-1977
Production Sports Cars manufactured between 1970-1977.
Expect to see Porsche 911’s, MGB’s, Sprite’s, Alfa Romeo GTV’s and BMW’s
Tasman Series: Warwick Farm 1965
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Round Five: WARWICK FARM
Sydney Grand Prix
Date: 14th February 1965
45 Laps of 3.621kms (162.945kms)
The 1965 International 100 at the Farm was a notable triumph for the flying Scotsman Jim Clark, who not only established lap and race records, but overcame the loss of third gear very early in the race.
Clark had been in devastating form leading up to the International, with three consecutive wins in the Tasman series, but at the unofficial practice session on the Friday, the leading drivers had sounded a warning that Clark wouldn’t have things all his own way. First, Graham Hill, had scorched round in 1:35, well inside the 1:37.4 record, and he was closely followed by Frank Matich, 1:35.6. Bib Stillwell got down to 1:34.8 and McLaren returned 1:35.8, Clark replied with a 1:34.7 lap. This spurred Graham Hill to a 1:34.2 lap in the next session and Matich to 1:34.3. Matich cut his time to 1:32.8, Hill returned an even 1:33, and Clark and Brabham 1:33.5.
At the end of the day, it was apparent that several cars were suffering from overheating due to leaking sealing rings, and there was some concern that compressions were too high for the 100-octane fuel. (more…)
Race Programe Covers: Tasman Series 1965
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Check out these images of the original race program covers from 1965.
The second year of the Tasman Championship consisted of four races in New Zealand and three in Australia. Points could only be gained from three of the New Zealand races which had to include the New Zealand Grand Prix. All three Australian rounds counted for championship points.
The 1965 Tasman Series was won by Jim Clark
The 1965 Tasman Series featured the following events.
1. Pukekohe – NZ
2. Levin – NZ
3. Wigram – NZ
4. Teretonga – NZ
5. Warwick Farm – AUS
6. Sandown – AUS
7. Longford – AUS
Images: TasmanSeries.com
Category Focus: Groups Q and R
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Groups Q and R is a popular category that covers historic racing and sports cars, but generally is full of single seaters.
1. Group Q – 1970 – 1977
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established between 1970-1977.
2. Group– 1977 – 1986
Historic Racing & Sports Cars with a competition history established after 1977.
Expect to see Ralt RT1 and RT4s, Cheetahs, Brabhams, Chevrons, Elfins and March chassis. Engine capacity from 1.6 -2.0 litres.
Images: Trentwallis.com
Tasman Legends: Frank Gardner
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Frank Gardner was a regular Tasman competitor throughout both the 2.5 litre and Formula 5000 Tasman Championships. He drove various cars for the Alec Mildren team in the ’60s and had the best overall Tasman record for “local” drivers. Mainly competed in Europe where he was regarded as one of the best test drivers and carried out these duties for the Lola factory.
He was best known as a Touring car racing and Sports car racing driver, but he also participated in nine World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 11 July 1964. He scored no championship points. Gardner also participated in numerous non-Championship Formula One races, including a third placing at the 1965 Mediterranean Grand Prix, fourth in the 1965 Race of Champions and third in the 1971 International Gold Cup.
In 1966 Gardner finished second in the 1000 km Spa round of the World Sportscar Championship. In 1967 he also finished second in the European Formula Two Championship and second in the British Autocar Formula 2 Championship. In 1970 he was third in the British Formula 5000 Championship and in 1971 was Champion.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s Gardner had podium finishes in the Australian Grand Prix – second in 1966 and 1972 and a third in 1967. He finished third in the 1967 and 1972 Tasman Series. He won the British Touring Car Championship title on three occasions in 1967 (Ford Falcon Sprint), 1968 (Ford Escort) and 1973 (Chevrolet Camaro), and was runner-up in the BTCC in 1970. In 1975 he finished second at Bathurst in the Hardie-Ferodo 1000.
After returning to Australia in the mid-1970s Gardner won the 1977 Australian Sports Sedan Championship driving a highly modified Chevrolet Corvair. That championship victory led into a team management role when he retired from full-time driving. After running the Allan Grice Touring Car and Sports Sedan team in the late 70s, it rolled into a factory touring car preparation for BMW in the Australian Touring Car Championship, a team he would run from the programs toe in the water inception with a BMW 318i turbo Sports Sedan in 1980 all the way until 1987 when Gardner’s operation was unceremoniously replaced by Peter Brock’s former Holden Dealer Team operation, although that relationship broke down after a single season. During that time his team won the 1985 and 1987 Australian Touring Car Championships with Jim Richards. Shifting to a privateer Ford Sierra team Tony Longhurst and Tomas Mezera won the 1988 Bathurst 1000. When BMW returned to the Australian championship in 1991 it was with Gardner’s team. The factory BMW team continued with Gardner, switching to (Supertouring cars in 1994) at the helm until 1998, winning the 1994 (with Longhurst), 1995 and 1997 (with Paul Morris) Super Touring titles.
When the race team was shifted in 1998 Gardner became involved in driver training. Gardner passed away in August 2009.
Via: Wikipedia and 2008 Tasman programme.
Images: Autosport Forums
Category Focus: Formula 5000
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Formula 5000, for pre 1978 racing cars, is one of the most spectacular historic racing categories. F5000 cars were part of the Tasman Series from 1970 and helped build the legends of drivers like John McCormack, Graham McRae, Max Stewart, Frank Matich and Warwick Brown to name a few.
The category features an intoxicating mix of machinery including McLaren’s, Chevron’s, McRae’s, Surtees, Elfins, Beggs and the popular Lola T330, T 332’s and T430s.
Images: TrentWallis.com
Jack Brabham: Winning his first World Championship in 1959
Here is a great little video summarising Jack Brabham’s early days, through to his first Formula 1 World Championship in 1959.
Brian McInerney Photo Gallery: Tasman Series 1967 – 1969
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Here are some wonderful images from the Tasman Series from 1967 – 1969 by photographer Brian McInerney.
They are an absolute treat, because this is the first time they have been published in any medium for 40 years.
Brian is a professional photographer and in the 1960s he was the young assistant photographer at Channel Seven in Sydney. For each of the Tasman Series races in 1967, 1968 & 1969 he acquired a press photographer’s pass and had complete access to the drivers and the track.
As a result he has a truly remarkable collection of images of the Tasman Series stars, including Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jochnen Rindt and the local heroes.
Brian is set to releases a series of Tasman Series framed prints, so watch this space.
Images: Brian McInerney, Fine Image Gallery ©
John Stanley Photo Gallery 2: Tasman Series 1966-1968
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Here is another ripper set of photos from the brilliant John Stanley.
Included are some excellent shots of Jochen Rindt, Pedro Rodrigues, Graham Hill, Jim Clark and Piers Courage.
Visit Johns site at John-Stanley.com
Category Focus: Group N Production Touring Cars
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Group N is a popular category that covers three types of production touring cars
1. Group NC – Production Touring Cars of a type which competed in Australia between 1965-1972
2. Group NB – Production Touring Cars of which at least 100 were produced prior to 1965.
3. Group NB – Production Touring Cars commercially available in Australia prior to 1958
Expect to see Ford Capris, Mustangs,, Cortinas and Falcons, Minis, Jaguars, Valiant Chargers, Holden EH’s and Monaros
Images: TrentWallis.com
Tasman Legends: Frank Matich
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Always a very quick driver who often outqualified the overseas competitors in the ’60s , especially at Warwick Farm. He also competed in Formula 5000s, first in a McLaren and then in a Matich, a car he built and designed himself. A winner of the Australian Drivers Gold Star and twice winner of the Australian Grand Prix.
Here is a story about Matich by Ray Bell
“Anyone who followed racing in the sixties and early seventies knew the name of the best driver in Australia. Frank Matich. Undisputed, even though at times he was restricted to sports cars. Everyone knew that if he had an open wheeler he’d better everyone else. (more…)
Australian Grand Prix Warwick Farm 1971
WARWICK FARM: 36th Australian Grand Prix
Date: November 21 1971
Distance: 45 laps, 162.945 km (101.25 mi)
Frank Matich was favourite to take back to back Australian Grand Prix wins on home soil. He didn’t disappoint starting the race from pole and setting fastest lap to lead home Kevin Bartlett and Alan Hamilton in their McLaren M10B Chevys. (more…)
