32nd Historic Winton - 24th & 25th May

[bludvl_x19]

Only a couple of weeks away, the longest continuously running Historic event in Australia is on again, on the 24th & 25th May.
There are 44 events for the weekend and over 280 entries, and that’s not including the bike entries (it’s a combined meeting see.)

Highlights (taken from the website ) include
• The appearance of the Wanderer - believed to be the oldest unrestored Australian Grand Prix entrant and the sole surviving Wanderer race car in the world
• The appearance of the Wikner T Model Special which has a competition history dating back to 1922 and is one of the oldest known Australian race cars
• Sunday afternoon, a motorcade of invited vehicles - T Model Fords, Bolwells, Bugeye Sprites, Bugattis, Austin Sevens, Humpy Holdens, Speedway cars and great Aussie Specials

And of course the obligatory wander around the car park to see what is there.
This event is the highlight of my racing year, and probably many others.
I will endeavor to post pictures following the meeting.

More info at http://www.austin7club.org/forum/showthread.php?t=134 and http://www.historicwinton.org/#Winton

Mick

[johnh875]

I'll be going up, not sure at this stage whether for Sunday only or both days. I'm sure a few tenther's will be racing too

[bludvl_x19]

I'll be there both days, I haven't missed one since I was born (1988) and this is the first time that I'll be flagging at one. I'm looking forward to it!

Mick

[bludvl_x19]

I will have some photos of the weekend on my photobucket, hopefully by tomorrow sometime.

www.photobucket.com/motorsportmad

Mick

[Formula 5000]

I was unable to go for the first time in many years. Therefore I am desperately waiting for somebody to post some interesting details here.

Some 10/10's must have gone??????

[bludvl_x19]

There was some good racing, but those motorbikers just couldn't manage to stay on their machines. There was one who hit the wall on the front straight, missed the tyres completly, two fell off at the flip flop (exit sweeper), one of them not moving for bout 90 seconds (seemed like an eternity though) All were fine though from what I have heard.

My photos from the weekend, taken in the middle of the sweeper (no race laps for those up above who are interested ) are at www.photobucket.com/motorsportmad

Cheers,

Mick

[petestenning]

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...ton2008124.jpg

What is this car half single seater half sports car?


Some very nice cars that we in the UK dont see as a sports car nut can you tell what the other blue big sports car is that looks like a CanAm car early in the sequence.


Pete

[bludvl_x19]

That big blue car is the Matich SR4, was designed and built for CanAm for Frank Matich, but never raced over there AFAIK. An amazing looking an sounding car. Other may be able to help with more info on it.

This one http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...ton2008124.jpg is a Grantinni IIIB Sports, an Australian built special. The only info that I can find about it is this:

Originally Posted by http://www.motormarques.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=63

The 1969 Grantinni III is powered by a 3 100cc rear-engine, with a 2-seater sports/racing car. It was built in Victoria by Paul Turner.

Hope that satisfies your interest.

Mick

[petestenning]

Thank you Mick, i have known of Frank Matich , you do have some nice machinery down under.

I have allways admired owner built specials and that Matich SR4 is a very good looking car, going by the cars appearence alone it should be a quick car.

I went last years Brands Hatch Masters in which it was nice to see the Wayne Park/Bob Sherrard Lola T70 MK3B and Porsche 962C
both welcome visitors from down under.

Pete

[bludvl_x19]

Owner built specials? My favourite kind of car. :worship: (Have a look at the Gypsy Fiat special on my photobucket /shameless plug)

IIRC the SR4 was the fastest Aussie racing car at the end of the CanAm period....

Mick

[Formula 5000]

The Matich SR4 is only displayed or driven but not in anger by its present custodian Ian Tate. Shame as it would be nice to see it in full flight. I also believe it does not have the original 5 litre Repco in it. It has the 4.4 litre style out of Les Wrights Brabham, as he uses a Buick stock block.

Nonetheless the SR4 represents a fantastic achievement in hmegrown specials by a brilliant Frank Matich. I am fortunate to have seen it run by him in its heyday; even with high wings.

Thanks for the update on Winton too!

[bludvl_x19]

Unfortunatly with many cars these days, it is just worth too much to be thrown around a track, and it doesn't do justice to the car for it to run around the back of a race so that the danger is minimised.
At least it is out and going around so that the younger generation (thats me!) can enjoy it.

Mick

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by petestenning

Some very nice cars that we in the UK dont see as a sports car nut can you tell what the other blue big sports car is that looks like a CanAm car early in the sequence.

Pete

Matich SR4 home grown sports car raced by Frank Matich, built by Bob Brittain? in its heyday...I think I recall it had a go at CanAm.

[johnh875]

Another great day's racing at Winton, I had a ball. The weather wasn't the best but it didn't spoil things (apart from a few of the motorbikers...). I took a few photos that I will share once uploaded (by the weekend perhaps?).

The highlights for me were the handicap races, with such a performance disparity in many of the fields this was a very effective way of mixing things up. It was great to see 10 Bugattis racing plus a few more in the carpark & a Type 57 in the pits. I'm getting more of an appreciation for the J/K/L cars too, they look like you can have a lot of fun with them.

Some very nice cars in the carpark - eg a Jag E-type Lightweight replica, Bristol 402, etc. You never know what you are going to find, this year the never-seen-one-of-those-before was the Alvis TA14 (along with the Bugatti mentioned above!)

The Matich SR4 was built with Can Am in mind but never raced there. Not 100% sure on the story/reasons though.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by johnh875

The Matich SR4 was built with Can Am in mind but never raced there. Not 100% sure on the story/reasons though.

Evidently Frank took the SR3R over but never got over with the SR4

[Bullett]

and by the time he got there was outpowered/capacitied wasnt he?

[bludvl_x19]

Don't know, but I can hardly see it competing with the Porsche 917-30 of Mark Donohue. Actually, come to think of it wasn't that the problem with CanAm in the end?

[johnh875]

Finally got some pics online. No John Turner-style race-by-race commentary however, however I will try to show a few pics with a description or two! There are certainly a few cars worth talking about.

LINK

[johnh875]

Double post...

[CRD]

Just to clarify one thing guys the blue Rohmans Matich SR4 is owned and driven by Nigel TAIT not Ian TATE, Nigel is formerly of ACL and is the custodian of the Brabham BT-19 which is on display at the Sports Museum at the MCG.