Issue 11

News from The Festival of sporting Cars Inc
Issue11. June/JULY, 2014
Track Times
A HAPPY QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY AT AMAROO
We had a right royal roll-up at Sydney Motorsport Park, over 120 entries – despite it being
a long weekend – and we were rewarded with great weather and a top day of competition. So
a big thankyou to everyone for making the effort to support this FoSC meeting.
The only disappointment was the noxious cloud of tyre smoke emanating from the aptly
named “Brashernats” at the nearby Sydney Dragway.
But, as usual, everyone at our Amaroo meeting rose to the occasion and there was a great
atmosphere right through the pits and paddock area, with cars and spectators up on the
hillside, and a full programme of events – right up to the twilight hour.
Thank you for your support, the FoSC Committee
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WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE PODIUM IF WE HAD ONE
Once again, we were gratified to be hosting Championship rounds for the Excel Racing Series and the
Historic Touring Cars Association. As expected, competition was close and exciting in these events.
In fact, the whole day was a real buzz, with plenty of variety from 1960s open-wheelers, to classic
saloons and sports cars, through to modern clubmans and MX5s. With qualifying, plus three events
each, everyone was kept busy. Photos: Dave Nichols
Historic & Invited Racing Cars:
While there were some familiar faces like
Graeme Hayles and Brad Morrin at the front of
the field, Don Collyer and Greg Read rang the
changes. As did Ross McAlpine when he finally
got the Dallara out of the pits. Master Mal
Brewster even got a run in Doug Anderson’s
Elfin later in the day.
1st
2nd
Graeme Hayles (1986 Royale RP42),
Don
Collyer (2002 Caterham), 3rd Greg Read (2001
Westfield).
1st Brad Morrin (1969 Matich SR4B), 2nd
Graeme Hayles, 3rd Greg Read.
1st Ross McAlpine (2002 Dallara), 2nd Graeme
Hayles, 3rd Brad Morrin.
Regularity A & B
With over 40 entries across two grids, and the
usual changes during the day, we saw plenty of
variety in the front-placings, as well as some
spirited driving of a wide range of interesting
and well-presented cars.
1st Mike Hicks (2002 MX5), 2nd David Rowe
(2002 Subaru Liberty), 3rd Sean Ryan (1995
Lancer GSR).
1st John Muddle (1991 MX5), 2nd Philip
Mitchell (1977 Datsun 260Z), 3rd Bill McBride
(2002 Locost Clubman).
1st Guy Thomson (1964 Ford Anglia), 2nd
Richard Rose (2006 MX5 NC), 3rd Carl
Stevenson (1963 Morris Major).
1st David Rowe, 2nd Trevor McPherson (1968
Alfa GTV), 3rd Mike Hicks.
1st Guy Thomson, 2nd David Lawrence (1955
Austin-Healey 100), 3rd Russell Corbett (2004
Birkin S3).
1st Trevor McPherson, 2nd Mike Hicks, 3rd Kay
Harlor (1974 Datsun 260Z).
Excel Championship
With vital Championship points at stake, the
racing was tight and quick. The agile cars (and
their energetic drivers) finding this circuit ideal
for their kind of competition, and proving a
popular spectator drawcard.
1st David Stone (1995 MX5), 2nd Steve Green
(1999 MX5), 3rd Urs Muller (1977 Alfa GTV).
1st David Stone, 2nd Steve Green, 3rd Urs Muller.
1st David Stone, 2nd Steve Green, 3rd Urs Muller.
Historic Touring Cars Association
Championship
Obviously this twisty circuit suits the highrevving rotaries, with Messrs Rogerson and
Mayne featuring prominently in the results.
But that didn’t stop the always hard-pushing
John Wright, Mark Lenstra and Paul Battersby
making their marks.
1st Nathan Gotch, 2nd Glenn Smith, 3rd Nicholas
Filipetto.
1st Nicholas Filippetto, 2nd Nathan Gotch, 3rd
Glenn Smith.
1st Nathan Gotch, 2nd Nicholas Filipetto, 3rd
David Bailey.
Historic & Invited Sports/Touring Cars
This combined event drew a great mix of
mainly sports cars, including the popular MX5s
and VRA Alfas. But up front, it was a case of
Groundhog Day in their three events, with
FoSC “old-timers” David Stone (MX5) and Urs
Muller (Alfa Romeo GTV) being joined up the
pointy end by Steve Green for some energetic
pedalling.
THEY CAME AND TRIED, AND PROGRESSED
1st Wayne Rogerson (1970 Mazda RX2), 2nd
John Wright (1973 Torana LJ XU-1), 3rd Mark
Lenstra (1972 Escort RS1600).
1st Wayne Rogerson, 2nd John Wright, 3rd Alan
Mayne (1972 Mazda RX2).
1st Wayne Rogerson, 2nd Alan Mayne, 3rd Paul
Battersby (1963 Austin Cooper S).
Our popular Come & Try innovation drew some more fresh faces – and a couple of previous drivers,
wanting to try out this circuit. Our thanks to the Masters and mentors team for helping introduce
more enthusiasts to our great sport. We hope to see you all at our next meeting … and the ones after.
MICHAEL, KAY AND SUE ARE WINNERS – AND THAT’S OFFICIAL
As a thank you to our hard-working officials, some of whom braved the icy roads between Bathurst
and Lithgow to be with us, we had our usual raffle. Prizes were donated by Next Media (publishers of
Australian Muscle Car etc.), and our old friends Meguiars. And the winners were: Michael Chin, Kay
LeFranc and Sue Levingston (didn’t she win at Wakefield too?)
AND NOW A WORD FOR OUR COMMENTATORS
Big thanks to Alan Page and Steve Shepard for sharing a mike and greatly enhancing our enjoyment of
the day’s competition. Thanks to Race Control for letting Alan and Steve work from indoors.
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK … PLEASE KEEP IT COMING
“I had a fabulous time, met some lovely people and managed to take a little bit off my times so I was totally chuffed. I look
forward to the next one. The information you provide beforehand made a scary confusing day so much easier…”
“Thanks to all the organisers, the volunteers, timekeepers, flaggies, support crew and anyone else I left out – and also to
my driving colleagues – pretty much everything I saw on track would fit the description “exemplary”. Long live FoSC!”
“A big thank you to you, the Masters and all the helpers on the day. For the August event can I go straight to Regularity?
I have done two C&T and Regularity B and feel confident competing in Regularity now.”
SMILE, YOU’RE ON CANDID CAMERA!
At long last we were able to keep an eye on the action over the hill, thanks to a wireless video camera
system worked out and installed by Peter Amos, Geoff Pike and Don Anderson. Well done, guys. And
drivers, be warned … we are watching you!
GET IN EARLY FOR AUGUST INVITATION AND SAVE $20
As an incentive to make an early entry for our August 3rd meeting we’re offering a $20 refund on
Acceptance, for entries received by June 18th. Early entries also help us plan the best possible
timetable for you and your category. Please call or email if you have not received your invitation to
this meeting.
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FoSC FINALLY VINDICATED – BY SUPREME COURT DECISION
Grassroots motor sport returned to Mt Panorama with FoSC in 2008. Photo: Gary Cooper
The story below, appeared in Bathurst’s Western Advocate newspaper last week. For those not
familiar with the background, in 2010 FoSC was forced to abandon the final two years of a hard-won
five-year agreement to run race meetings at Mt Panorama, due to legal pressure from Trackcorp on
Bathurst Regional Council (BRC). We rest our case!
Bathurst Regional Council wins Trackcorp case
May 30, 2014, 3:50 p.m.
BATHURST Regional Council has scored a decisive victory in its Supreme Court battle with
Trackcorp Adrenaline Pty Ltd.
Trackcorp brought the action against council in 2011 claiming a breach of contract in relation
to the Drive Bathurst and Sprint Bathurst events that Trackcorp ran on Mount Panorama
between 2007 and 2011.
Trackcorp claimed council did not honour an exclusivity cause in its original contracts by
allowing a rival event, the Festival of Sporting Cars, to run similar events on Mount
Panorama and had failed to enter into good faith negotiations about Trackcorp taking up a
five-year option to continue its event.
Further, Trackcorp had sought to recoup the track hire fees it had paid for five events
between 2007 and 2011 - to the tune of about $250,000 a year - on the basis that council was
not lawfully entitled to charge those fees.
But Judge Rowan Darke, in a 48-page judgment handed down today, found "Trackcorp has
failed to establish any of its claims to relief".
Crucially, Judge Darke ordered that costs be awarded to council - with the bill likely to top $1
million.
The judgment comes just a week after the Western Advocate revealed council's legal bill for
the first none months of the 2013-14 financial year had topped $900,000 - a 700 per cent
blowout on the budgeted figure.
Most of those costs, about $710,000, had been spent fighting the Trackcorp matter.
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IF YOUR DESK ROCKS …
… put a rock under it. In a move worthy of Fred
Flintstone, Rees Mackay replaced the missing
wheel on the Race Secretary’s desk with a
handy chunk of Sydney sandstone.
Please note: this doesn’t work with cars.
www.fosc.com.au