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| Topic: BAC Members take on Historic Winton | |||||
| The 29th running of Historic Winton was once again conducted by the Austin Seven club on the last weekend in May for 2005. It some what unusual fashion for the last few years the weekend was completely rain free which seemed to be enjoyed by the many spectators and competitors that attend this years event. The event attracted close to 300 Historic racing cars and around 100 Historic racing bike for the largest combined car and bike historic meeting in the southern hemisphere. Benalla Auto Club had a number of members competing they where; · Michael Gibson in Group Q · Luke Doidge in Group Q · Tino Leo in Group N · John Mann in Group N · Peter Matthews in Group Lb · Peter Cooper in Group N · Brian Sampson in Group Q Formula Ford There where a total of 44 events for the weekend making it a jam packed two days of competition. The feature of the weekend where the Great Aussie Specials. A tribute to cars built by aussie for racing in local competition that reflected the colour and excitement of early motor racing years. Most of the display was a static display in the pit area some of the cars did however make it out on to the track for some racing. One significant car that was a Great Aussie Special that appeared was the first lap record holder of the Winton circuit, the Faux Pas. The Faux Pas set the lap record at Winton at the Hands of Benalla local and club member Barry Stilo but was originally built by Jack French in 1959. The car was a Holden rear engine powered car with a REPCO Hi power head mated with a MG TC Gearbox and the wheels where copied from a Cooper pattern. Stuart Powell who purchased the car in 1988 was racing the car at Historic Winton. Some other cars of note in the Great Aussie Specials where the 1961 COAD VAUXHAULL SPORTS. Harry Firth who was on Hand at Winton despite being now in his late eighties built the chassis and first raced the car in the 1956 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. The car was originally fitted with a Vauxhall motor and was changed by the Coad brothers in 1959 to a Holden engine. The car was eventually sold to Jim Mckeon but was later bought back by George Coad Jnr in 1979. George still owns the car and make regular appearances at Historic race meetings. Georges daughter Joanne has campaigned the car many occasions at Winton in the BP Midland Delatite Ford Sprint series and is hoping to make her first race meeting in October at Winton in the Australian Historic Motor Festival. The weekend didn’t start off well for Club member Peter Matthews. Peter the 2004 George Coad Memorial trophy winner was knocked out of competition due to the 130% Qualifying rule. The Qualifying rule has been a bone of contention in Historic racing since its inception just a couple of years ago. The decision was hard on Peter who missed out by 0.3 of a second as he was asked to bring the nota major car to the meeting by organisers as part of tribute to the history of pre war race cars, Peter’s nota major was the least powered car in the field. Peter was planning on bring a much quicker car to the meeting that would have seen him in contention to defend his George Coad memorial trophy but unfortunately had to sit on the side lines on Sunday. It was a better weekend however for Michael Gibson who steered his Windsor clubman to outright first place in group Q sports. Michael had wins in both of the scratch races and had an 11th place in the handicap. The first race for Group Q Sports day Michael had to battle hard against fellow BAC club member Luke Doidge who took second position in his Farrell Clubman. In the handicap Luke fared better than Michael to finish 9th. Unfortunately Luke had a DNF in race 3, which saw him retire after 5 laps of the 8 lap race. One of the founding members of the Benalla Auto Club David Fogg also made an appearance at the 29th Historic Winton. David took loan of one of the Dizane Family cars, a Brabham BT21C 1967 Grand Prix car for the weekend. David finished 16th in the Phil Irving trophy race. Group N had three Club members Competing, Tino Leo in his Mustang , Peter Cooper in his Cortina and John Mann in his Mustang. John Mann made his usually flying start for the weekend in Qualifying and race 1 where he was have a terrific dice for the lead when John backed off quite substantially. Unfortunately John had fallen ill and was taken to Wangaratta Hospital. John returned to the track next day however only as a spectator. Peter Cooper finished race 1 in 16th position just ahead of fellow Cortina driver John Luxmoore. However peter was one of the victims of Handicapping and finished the Handicap race in 18th. Peter bounced back in the final race of the day to sneak his way into the top 10. Tino Leo fought hard in his mustang all weekend with a pair of 11th places in the scratch races. However the Shepparton driver was able to work his way to 8th place in the handicap event. Brian Sampson his 1977 Formula Ford competing for the weekend. Sambo had a good weekend in the Group Q races with a third place for Formula Ford and 5th Outright in the scratch races. The Austin Seven Club once again declared historic Winton a success. The event now the second longest continuous running event in Australia behind Bathurst is now turning its attention to next year which will see its 30th anniversary which is certain to be one not to miss. |
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