2008 Tasman Revival Review

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The main event of the weekend was of course the Repco Tasman Revival race. The cars were selected for this race firstly on the basis of any period Tasman history, then if they were of a type eligible and from overseas, and finally by best time over the previous days of competition making up a grid of 36 cars.

Incredibly Rob Hall who 3 days before had never even seen Eastern Creek had now put the Ferrari on pole, 2nd was Chris Farrell in the Brabham BT30, Lindsay O’Donnell in the Mclaren M4A was 3rd and Richard Carter Elfin 600 4th. Laurie Bennett and Paul Hamilton, both Elfin 600 mounted shared the 3rd row. First of the M cars was Ed Holly in the Brabham BT6 on the 9th row with Don Thallon Cooper T53 and Charles McCabe from the USA not far behind. There were 19 rows.

From the drop of the flag, the pace set was a cracker. The Ferrari 246T, with Rob Hall showing its pedigree and superior power to keep out a determined Chris Farrell, Laurie Bennett and Richard Carter. Pretty soon it was the Elfin of Carter snapping at the heels of the red Ferrari as they drew away from the opposition. The McLaren of Lindsay O’Donnell had suffered a termainal drive shaft problem at the start and the anticipated Ferrari, Brabham, McLaren, Elfin tussle for the lead didn’t eventuate, with the M4A parked between turns 1 and 2. Around lap 3 the race settled down as the longer races do with the lead car going just as quick as needs be to maintain the position.

By about lap 6 lapped cars had to be contended with. Meanwhile back in the pack, the older Group M cars were again being led fairly easily by the Brabham BT6 of Ed Holly from The Cooper Climax of Don Thallon with the well driven Lotus 18 of Charles McCabe (USA) holding on to 3rd. In the closing stages Carter in the Elfin had one more lunge at the Ferrari, but it was in vein as Rob Hall steered the red car to maintain a 4 second advantage. And that is how they crossed the line the Ferrari of Graham Adelman, driven by Rob Hall took the win from Richard Carter in the Elfin 600B (both these cars raced in the 60s Tasman series) then came Chris Farrell in the Brabham BT30.

Completing the top 12 were Laurie Bennett – Elfin, Keith Simpson – Brabham, Rob Cracknell – Elfin (making it Victorians 4th, 5th and 6th) Peter Barlay – Brabham, Herb Neal – Elfin, Brian Wilson – Brabham, and Max Lane – Brabham, Hiroomi Hattori – Lotus (Japan), and Graham Adelman – BRM (USA)