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The largest field of historic racing, sports and touring cars ever assembled in
Australia is heading to Phillip Island on February 25-27 for the annual Shannons
Phillip Island Classic historic races supported by Tourism Victoria.
More than 450 vehicles including modern Formula One cars from the 1980s, will
compete at the meeting, while a further 100 classic vehicles in the Shannons
Classic Cavalcade will parade on the circuit during lunchtime Sunday.
Even Friday is shaping up as an historic blockbuster, with a record 300 cars
registered for untimed practice!
Spearheading the field will be four famous Formula One cars from the 1980s,
‘70s and ‘60s.
From the 1980s comes the screaming 1.5 litre turbocharged Ferrari Tipo 156/85
in which Michele Alboreto finished runner-up to Alain Prost in the 1985 World
Championship.
It will be lined up on the grid of the 4.45km Grand Prix circuit against the
ex-Alan Jones Beatrice Lola - the first F1 car to take to the circuit at the
1985 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.
The Beatrice Lola will be making its first Australian race appearance since
the Adelaide street race, in which Jones retired it on lap 6.
British enthusiast John Blandon is bringing his 1971 Surtees TS9B Cosworth
originally raced by both John Surtees and Mike Hailwood, while America’s Louis
Sellyei is airfreighting his 1964 Gurney Eagle Climax to the meeting.
Five thundering Formula 5000s are also entered, including a pair of Lolas in
the hands of a British husband and wife racers, Frank and Judy Lyons.
Other fabulous racing cars coming to the ‘Island include the ex-Raymond Mays
1934 ERA R1A, the famous Whitney Straight Maserati 8C, a straight six 4.5 litre
Lago Talbot identical to the car that Victoria’s Doug Whiteford drove to
successive victories in the 1952 and 1953 Australian Grands Prix and the
spectacular 4.5 litre Jim Robbins Special that raced at Indianapolis from
1954-’56
World-class sports cars include two genuine Ford GT40s, a rare ex-Bruce
McLaren 1965 McLaren M1a, at least eight British Allards, an ex-Ecurie Ecosse
Lister Jaguar, the ex-Bill Pitt D Type Jaguar and the pretty Maserati A6GCS,
that inspired Melbourne’s Paul England to build his highly successful Ausca
sports car.
The huge entry has ensured capacity grids and even reserve lists in most
categories, with 40 post-1970 P, Q & R racing and sports cars and 50-car
grids for both Group SA/Group L and SB/SC Marque Sports Cars races.
Entry costs $15 Saturday, $25 Sunday, with weekend tickets $35
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