HSRCA Summer Festival SMP

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The racing season for Group N Touring Cars in NSW is now over with the running of the HSRCA Summer Festival at SMP Eastern Creek November 29th-30th. Twenty-eight cars on the grid for qualifying. Interstate visitors firstly from Queensland Ian Mewett#55 Mustang and Grahame Wrobel#201 Mustang. Three Victorians made the trip up the Hume Hwy Mark Johnson#97 Mustang Luke Paterson#931 Mini and Kim Shearn#158 Cortina. Jason Foley#15 had the XY Falcon up from the ACT. Greg Barr#51 made the huge effort from West Australia driving a stunning Cortina. Of the local brigade headed by the Mustangs of Brad Tilley#28 Greg Toepher#88. Mini's galore John Battersby#270 Paul Battersby271 David Gray#181 David Wheatley#61 Nathan Stevenson#103 David Roberts#20 Hamish Bedwell#21and new comer David Buckley#36. Nice to see Steve Pitman#58 return to the track with the EH Holden along with John Burke#93 Charger. Anthony Colton#5 Falcon XY Peter Ferguson#37 in a local Cortina Other Holden pilots Matt Sullivan#180 Hugh Zochling#73 Greg Luca#202 all in Torana's Paul Cameron#47 Monaro. Ross Muller#6 in his trusty Hillman Loris Mariotto#22 in the bullet proof Volvo and David Nokes jnr#27 in the Escort. Qualifying Saturday morning in overcast humid windy conditions seen Tilley on pole with a 1.45.9 from Mewett, Toepfer, Burke in the Charger showing great pace, Wrobel both Qlders in the top five, Luca driving very nicely, Colton first of the Falcons, Nokes jnr, Johnson, Matty Sullivan ever improving in the Torana, Ferguson keeping the Cortina in the top 11, then Paul Battersby leading the Mini's. And that's the top twelve. Race one Saturday morning over five laps pleased to report no red flags or safety car periods Tilley was never headed from pole but strong performance from both Mewett and Wrobel seen Mustangs fill the top three Luca next driving the wheels off the Torana, Nokes strong drive in the four-cylinder Escort Paul Cameron Monaro not too sure where Paul started after not recording a qualifying time then Johnson, Foley Paul Battersby again leading the mini's of Patterson, Stevenson, and Dave Grey. Disappointing to see Toepher DNF engine issue and Burke DNS diff after qualifying in P3 and P4 along with Matt Sullivan DNF driveline, but Matt would fix the Torana and be back. Race Two Saturday afternoon six laps again all green running flag to flag Tilley got the job done again from Mewett, Wrobe, after a race long battle with Luca Torana, Cameron, Nokes, Johnson, Sullivan the consistent Paul Battersby Colton, Paterson, and Zochling. Steve Pitman having a frustrating meeting with the EH overheating resulting in a DNF. Sunday and again hot, humid, and windy race three over six laps this time a handicap with cars leaving the start line at timed interval's really a great concept and very entertaining. No red flags or safety car periods. David Wheatley Mini was the first to see the checkers form Gerg Barr Cortina, David Roberts mini, Nokes Jnr Escort. Anthony Colton Falcon, Brad Tilley Mustang, David Buckley showing promise in the mini, Greg Luca Torana, John Battersby mini, and Nathan Stevenson mini, Luke Paterson mini and Grahame Wrobel mustang so good to see a few new names in the top twelve. Last race for the weekend and 2025 Sunday afternoon six laps a bit of a depleted field and for the first time on the weekend three laps of safety car due to Dave Gray not getting off the start line and Paul Battersby pulling off at turn two with a brake issue. With no Tilley Mewett won from Wrobel, then the Torana's of Luca and Sullivan, Johnson next followed by Paterson, Stevenson, John Battersby, Colton, Wheatley, Mariotto, Barr, and Buckley and they were the only finishers. Special mention to our members racing at the meeting in other classes Geoff Pike#5 driving for Grahame Russell MG and David Stone#76 MG both in Group S Paul Tierney#172 Nissan Supersprint and Damian Ross#70 Torana regularity images of these cars appear in the gallery. That's it for 2025 special thanks to all officials, medical, and recovery teams, the HSRCA, competitors, and supporters of Group N Touring Cars and our generous racing partners. Stay safe out their people see you all back in 2026. Please keep in mind all images by Throttle Jam Photography if using or sharing any of these images ALWAYS GIVE ACKNOWLAGEMENT TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER much appreciated.


Historic Winton 2025

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Historic Winton 2025 was a great success. Fast cars, good weather, and well supported by spectators. Thirty-nine Group N touring Cars from around the country took to the track on Saturday morning for qualifying in two groups. After qualifying the grid was split into two groups for racing.

NSW had Chris Collett #62, Paul Battersby #271, John Battersby# 270, Francis Meier#188, Adam Bressington#6 Jason Humble# 2 (driving for Graham Russell) Tom Tweedie#19, Brett (the Jet) Eggleston#51, David Roberts#20, David Wheatley#161 Geoff Pike#7 all in minis. Jerry Lenstra #41, John Shuttle#118, and Brad Forgeard#76 all in Cortina's. South Australian's David Cheney#158 Jason Armstrong#77 in minis. The lone WA entry of Syd Jenkins#29 mini and then a swarm of Victorians. Richard Hill#12, Linda Devlin#21, Henry Draper#37, Lindsay Siebler#17, Steven McKay#36, David McKay#3, Christian Jannike#81, Chris Finlayson#81, John Doherty#64, Geoffrey Hulbert#44 all in minis, Dean Mc Laughlan#40 Datsun 1600, Philip Burrow#72 FJ Richard Fairlam#34 EH, Gordon Cox#771, Kim Shearn#58, Jeff Vaux#121, Rod Evens#31, Simon Browning#57,Nick Cascone#66 Les Walmsley#99 all in Cortina's Steve Russell Clarke Austin Farina#82, Taking the ship over from Tasmania the two mini's of Jeremy Bennett#91 and Jack Perry#13.

The standout event on the Saturday was the Ted Brewster Mini Challange over 6 laps. Twenty-three mini's in one race was a great sight. Unfortunately, not taking part NSW Chris Collett with an engine issue and Syd Jenkins for unknown reasons. Jason Armstrong was the flag-to-flag winner with a quick lap of 1.07.8 from a spirited Adam Bressington, Jeremy Bennett, Jason Humble who was driving very well in the mini, Richard Hill, the consistent Tom Tweedie, Jack Perry, Henry Draper, Francis Meier (very nice drive Francis) and Linda Devlin cutting her way through the field.

On to race one Group one and Jason Armstrong again from Bressington, Humble, Bennett, Tweedie and Hill. That Armstrong mini was looking good after claiming pole as well.

Race two for Group one this time on Sunday morning 6 laps. Armstrong from Bressington, Humble, Bennett, Hill, Tweedie, Nick Cascone up to 7th, Perry. Those first six mini's were really quick.

Race 3 for group one and Armstrong was stamping his authority with another win from pole from again Bressington, Humble, Bennett, Tweedie, Hill, Perry, Devlin. Great racing guy's and gal

Last race for this group and every spectator was glued to the fence no one had gone home. This time 8 laps Armstrong, from Bressington who had a good look at Armstrong's boot lid all weekend Bennett after a late pass on Humble, Hill, Tweedie, Cascone, Draper, Paul Battersby, and David McKay.

Group Two race one Saturday 6 laps. Brilliant to see Jerry Lenstra win this from Mc Laughlan, Philip Burrow holding off many challengers in 3rd Doherty, Cox, Brad Forgeard in his newly acquired Cortina, Fairlam, John Battersby, Shearn, Russell-Clarke in the Austin. Race 2

Group 2 Sunday 6 Laps again Jerry Lenstra with a masterful drive from the determine Mc Laughlan, Burrow, holding off Fairlam, Cox, Dohrerty, Forgeard, Shearn.

Race 3 for this very entertaining group 6 laps. Lenstra, from Mc Laughlan, Burrow, Cox, Geoff Pike on the move up to 5th, then Doherty.....there is a patten forming.

Last race for this group and over 8 laps with no Jerry Lenstra on the grid Mc Laughlan drove away for a comfortable win from the ever improving Geoff Pike, Barrow (don't know how he managed to maintain the brakes) Forgeard improving all the time in the new Cortina, Cox, Chris Finlayson had an off at the esses but gathered it all up and a great race long battle between Wheatley and Russell-Clarke.

Best thing about this meeting apart from the racing. No Red flags or safety car interventions. Thanks to all at the Austin 7 club, officials, volunteers, and flag marshals.

If you are going to share this report or images please give credit to Throttle Jam Photography

Thanks Mark Walsh for this great report and the pics below, well done!

Bathurst 6 Hour 2025

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A total of forty-three cars arrived at Bathurst for the Easter meeting. Joining the Group N Touring Cars were a select few Group S racing cars including Terry Lawlor Mustang #8, David Cunneen Porsche#555, Michael Tresillian Datsun#192, Doug Barbour Porsche#911. The guys that did the big trip from WA the super-fast Paul Stubber Camaro#31, Mike Gallagher in an immaculate Jaguar#60, Ray Hepburn Mustang#59, and the welll traveled Grahame Woodhouse Mustang#86. Another team that put in a big effort to support the meeting Scott Cordwell Torana#42 from Tasmania. Peter O'Brien was driving his Falcon XY#27 from the ACT. Craig Allan Mustang#55, Grahame Wakefield Mustang#188, David Streat Torana#20, Rob James Capri#111, Stewart Watson#7 Falcon XY, all down from Queensland. Michael Miceli Mustang#69, Andrew Beard Camaro#186, Adrian Moyle Camaro#25, Michael Hibbert Charger#71, Keith Davidson Valiant Pacer#26, Kim Sheran Cortina#58, Stewart Bailey Cortina#92 Peter Meuleman in the black brick Mustang#43 all from Victoria. Peter had a very unhappy meeting suffering a mechanical issue after qualifying and took no further part in the meeting. The remaining cars were from NSW and a strong presents indeed. There was a practice session on the Friday morning in ideal weather conditions and some cars got in Five laps but most completed four. Qualifying Friday afternoon seen Stubber on pole with a 2.29.1, then Brad Tilley Mustang#28, Luke Harrison Mustang#17, Jack Harrison Mustang#173, Craig Allan, Michael Miceli, Geoff Morgan, Grahame Woodhouse, Terry Lawlor, Andrew Beard, Adrian Moyle, Michael Hibbert, and that's your top twelve. Race one Saturday morning again clear blue skies and sunny. This race only seen one racing lap after a most unfortunate accident at the top of mountain straight two very badly damaged Mustangs of Graham Woodhouse and Greg Toepfer. This was two separate incidents on the same turn and hopefully with a little help these two popular and absolute champions of Group N will return to the track soon. Stubber after only four laps was declared the winner however three laps were under safety car from Brad Tilley, Luke Harrison, Jack Harrison. Race two Saturday afternoon Stubber again after finishing only five laps and again two under safety car after Stephen Page had an accident at Hell Cnr resulting in damage to his bullet proof BMW#54 from Brad Tilley, Luke Harrison, Michael Miceli, Craig Allen, Terry Lawlor, Andrew Beard, Peter O'Brien, other drivers of note the always quick Torana of Greg Luca#202, Quintin Bland Capri#33, LLoyd Parry Mustang#289, Wayne Harrison Monaro#350. Jamie Tilley was having a mixed weekend the Mustang #9 being troublesome at times. Race three and the final event Sunday morning again under brilliant weather conditions and a trouble-free run with no red flags or safety cars. Probably the drive of the meeting in this event with Jamie Tilley starting ROF and finishing third behind the winner Paul Stubber, from Brad Tilley, Craig Allan ,Peter O'Brien, Terry Lawlor doing very nicely in the Group S Mustang, Adrain Moyle, Jack Harrison, One thing of note at this meeting was the no warm up or sighting lap ? for reasons I can't explain. Thanks to all the officials, supporters, teams, and followers of Group N, it's big effort to race at Bathurst and all your efforts are much appreciated.

Mark Walsh, Throttle Jam Photography

6 Hour Regularity SMSP

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The NSWRRC 6 Hour relay regularity is over for 2025. This event had a diverse range of vehicles and drivers of varying abilities all this considered this event is a great introduction to circuit racing. The Historic Group N Assocation of NSW entered a very promising group of experienced drivers all guided under the watchful eye of club president Steve Pitman. SMP Eastern Creek turned on absolutely perfect Autumn weather conditions. It does take some time to work out the exact class and outright results at the time of posting no final results are available. Apart from an engine issue for the Paul Tierney Torana on the Saturday practice the weekend was seamless for the team and special mention to Paul who returned on the Sunday to take part in the event in his stunning and very quick Nissan #301 replacing the Torana. Also, many thanks to our other on track team members Craig Anderson Ford Focus #304, Wayne Lacy Ford Focus #306, Phillip Hoad Torana #303, Loris Moriotto Volvo #305, David Ellis Torana #302. Thanks to the club, our committee, and Steve Pitman for his work on the pit wall directing the team. Check the gallery for the drivers on track.

Mark Walsh, Throttle Jam Photography

Phillip Island Classic 2025

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Last weekend March 7-9th was an absolute feast of motorsport at the VHRR Phillip Island Classic. This is really a must meeting to attend with around 380 entries there is something for every fan. Historic Group N Touring Cars, V8 Supercars, Groups C & A Touring cars, Sports and open wheel racing cars, Formula Vee and Ford, plus a fantastic static display of racing cars and Speedway machines. For a more detailed report on Group N Touring Cars go to Historic Group N Association Group on Facebook or if you just would like to check out a variety of cars from the meeting.....well you'll find them right here in the gallery. set your sights now for 2026.

Thanks to Mark Walsh for the contribution and photos.