Official: Phillip Island Classic is 'World Class'

SYDNEY – Dec 21, 2012: It’s official. The Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motor Sport is one of the World’s best Historic Motor Sport events.

That was again the judgement of the expert panel that short-listed the ‘Classic’ in that category of the International Historic Motoring Awards of the Year 2012, with the event “showcasing excellence, rewarding innovation, and providing the benchmark by which the world of historic cars judges itself”.

It was the second year running that the Phillip Island Classic Festival has been awarded this distinction, competing against such acknowledged world-class events such as England’s annual Goodwood Revival, Belgium’s Spa Six Hours classic festival and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in California, USA.

The Victorian Historic Racing Register is planning to build on this result at the 2013 Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motor Sport staged from March 8-10, with ‘Big Banger’ sports cars from the 1960s, ‘670s and ‘80s taking top billing at the event and featuring in a 30-minute mini-enduro race on the Sunday.

Confirmed participants so far include a Porsche 962 from Europe, a 956 model from the UK, the ex-Briggs Cunningham and ex-Le Mans 1951 Aston Martin DB2, the ex-Bib Stillwell D-Type Jaguar and two Matra 670 models from the UK.

Containers will bring six spectacular sports cars from the US, six from the UK and at least one from New Zealand to compete at the meeting, with VHRR President Ian Tate confident of a full grid of iconic sports cars.

Off the circuit, displays celebrating the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin and the 60th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette will support the sports car theme of the meeting.

World class sports car drivers, including at least two Le Mans winners and at least three former F1 drivers, are also expected at the 2013 ‘Classic.

The 2013 event will again see more than 500 sports, racing and touring cars spanning nearly a century take to the newly resurfaced Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit for three days of practice, qualifying, racing and demonstrations over the Labour Day long weekend.

It will be the first car race meeting to enjoy the completely resurfaced 4.55km Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.

Camping – or rather ‘Glamping’ – will be an option for competitors, officials and spectators for the first time at the meeting.

The camping area is adjacent to the circuit in the Visitor Centre Gardens, surrounded by trees and with spectacular views to Bass Straight – just a short stroll from the Paddock and adjacent to the popular licenced Champions Café.

The 24th annual Phillip Island Classic is being staged by the Victorian Historic Racing Register and is again supported by Shannons, CoolDrive and Penrite, with race officials supplied by the Victorian Mini Club.