Bumper Phillip Island Entry List

Another huge turnout is guaranteed for this year’s Phillip Island Classic Motorsport Festival from March 13-15, with more than 400 entries received by the Victorian Historic Racing Register a month before the February 13 closing date.

Event Director Ian Tate said the entry was on track to equal that of the past two years, when around 500 sports, racing and touring cars took part in what has become the largest historic race meeting in the Southern Hemisphere.

"It’s obvious that the ‘Classic’ is a must-do event on every enthusiasts’ calendar, said Mr Tate.

"We have been oversubscribed in some categories by more than 50 per cent since mid-December and we expect full grids for most events."

In recent years the Phillip Island Classic has developed from an iconic historic race meeting into a full-blown motorsport festival, with the off-track displays, autograph signings and trade stalls rivalling the on-track activities, much the same as at the world-famous Goodwood Revival in the UK. Recent activities have included a celebration of the circuit’s historic 1920s origins, with a major display in the nearby Cowes township again planned this year.

Highlights at this year’s events that will be celebrated on and off the circuit include the 100th anniversary of the Morgan car, the 50th anniversary of Elfin cars, the 50th anniversary of the Mini, the 40th anniversary of Formula Ford.

More than 50 Elfin sports, racing and road cars will be either competing or on display at the meeting, with many famous former-Elfin drivers including 1971 Australian Champion Larry Perkins, 1994 Champion Steven Richards and 2002 Formula Ford Champion and 2008 V8 Supercar Champion Jaimie Whincup being invited as special guests.

Other celebrities present will be VHRR Patron Sir Jack Brabham, four-times Australian Touring Car Champion and Armstrong 500 (Phillip Island) winner Bob Jane, 1965 Armstrong 500 winner Barry ‘Bo’ Seton and 1966 Bathurst winner, Bob Holden.

The Shannons club display will be further expanded for the 2009 meeting, with more than 50 exhibitors in the Shannons Walk, while the VACC will again be a major meeting sponsor.

This year’s Classic again occupies a full three days, with practice and qualifying for all categories on Friday March 13, with races scheduled from 9am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, March 14 & 15.