Australia’s Phillip Island Classic 2014

Since 1966, still the only driver to win the World Championship in a car with his name on the nose, Sir Jack’s goal in the fifties was well known: to beat the Ferraris, which he soundly did in the nimble Coopers. On display in the pits alongside the famous Repco Brabham BT19 ‘Old Nail’ were his 1964 Offenhauser-powered Indianapolis entry and F1 Cooper Climax. But when he did laps of the Island’s sweeping 2.7mile track on Sunday morning in an Italian classic, the tifosi in the crowds fully approved.

Andrew Cannon had the honor of driving the now 87 year-old around the circuit in his Maserati 150S/250S. In 1956 this car had been sold new from the factory to Mille Miglia Motors in California and raced by Chick Leson in SCCA events. Later fitted with a works 2.5 litre four cylinder engine, it made its way to the UK in 1986 and was subsequently restored by William Hay. It currently forms part of the Australian Yacht Squadron’s motor pool.

With the Italian trident celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, it was no surprise to see Paddins Dowling bring his 1939 Maserati 4CL over from the US once again. Its all-original body panels were no impediment to Paddins’ lap times. No doubt this well-loved and used race car will be getting plenty of exercise around the world during this year’s centenary events.

Much younger than both these Maseratis, Roz Shaw had brought her 1971 Alfa Romeo GTAm from the West Midlands, UK. Roz and her brother Richard are heavily involved in the preparation and running of BMW endurance racing cars (www.gtsmotorsport.co.uk) but the impeccably presented GTAm is unique in its European Touring Car Jagermeister livery. Discovered in Denmark in a sorry state it has been rebuilt from the ground up to Appendix K spec.

Paul Chaleyer was consistent in Division 1 Regularity in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta 750 Spyder, with a win on Sunday. South Australian Peter Axford’s Junior Zagato, one of only four in the country, was a refreshing sight among the more usual 105 coupes. In Group C Bill Magoffin had four 2nd places in class but couldn’t quite catch Justin Matthews’ Escort.

It wasn’t all Italians at the Island. Ron Townley can always be relied on to have his Lago Talbot T26C mixing it in the Regularity events, as can John Hardy in his ever-reliable Alpine Renault A110. This very early Group 4 1600S was built to full works specification and spent time in Tahiti and Noumea before John acquired it twelve years ago. He took home a win on Saturday afternoon. West Australian Bob Pinkerton brought his 1955 Peugeot Special from the other side of the continent.

There were three Bugattis, evergreen racer George Hetrel’s Type 35C, Kent Patrick’s Type 37A GP and Jason Nichols Type 37. All gave clear demonstrations how you don’t need several degrees of negative camber to get through turn 4.

While it definitely isn’t Italian, Old Yeller II’s carburetors are, which probably helped Ernie Nagamatsu score a fastest lap in class on Saturday. With a US history boasting Carroll Shelby and Dan Gurney, it’s cars like this, and the red and blue ones of course, that keep us coming back to the Island every March. And with the way the VHRR and the Victorian Mini Club volunteers keep things humming on a track that’s live all day long, the 50th anniversary will be here before we know it.

Full results at http://racing.natsoft.com.au/results

Sir Jack Brabham rides with Andrew Cannon in the Maserati 150S/250S.

Maserati 150S/250S cockpit.

150S/250S engine.

150S/250S trunk.

Brabham BT19 flanked by Indy 500 entry and Cooper Climax.

Paddins Dowling 1939 Maserati 4CL, turn 6 exit.

Paddins Dowling 1939 Maserati 4CL, Fred Brock 1958 Austin Healey Sprite, turn 6 exit.

1939 Maserati 4CL & 1948 Lago Talbot T26C.

Ron Townley Lago Talbot T26C, turn 10 exit.

Roz Shaw 1971 Alfa Romeo GTAm, Glenn Campbell 1969 MG GT, turn 5.

Roz Shaw 1971 Alfa Romeo GTAm, turn 6.

1971 Alfa Romeo GTAm cockpit.

GTAm Engine.

John Hardy 1967 Alpine Renault A110, Lukey Heights turn 10 entry.

Hardy's office.

Alpine engine.

Kent Patrick 1929 Bugatti Type 37A GP, Barrey Lilley 1965 MGB, turn 4.

Jason Nichols 1926 Bugatti Type 37, Don Hume Porsche 904, turn 5.

Bob Pinkerton 1955 Peugeot Special, Peter Donald 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV, turn 4.

Paul Chaleyer 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 750 Spyder, turn 5.

Bill Magoffin 1972 Alfa Romeo GTV, Lukey Heights turn 10 entry.

Peter Axford 1970 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato, turn 10 exit.

Veloce Racing Association Inc, Geoff Burgess Alfa Romeo 1750.

Geoff Burgess 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750, Lukey Heights turn 10 entry.

Ernie Nagamatsu 1958 ‘Old Yeller II’ Buick Special, turn 5.