The final Group N race meeting for 2019 was also our first round of the 2020 series, and was held at the HSRCA Summer Festival at Sydney Motorsport Park over the 30th of November and 1st of December. A field of 37 Group N cars rolled up, with fifteen of those Minis.

In the lead-up to the meeting, the HSRCA’s Richard Cardew approached Group N inviting our suggestions to attract more entries. One which was implemented was the introduction of the BMC Challenge, allowing a grid of cars with the BMC A-Type engine, such as Minis, Midgets and Sprites, to compete against each other. This was so successful that it is to be incorporated in future 2020 HSRCA meetings.

Qualifying saw the Chris Thomas Torana fastest on a 1.46.73 followed by Ian Mewett and Adam Walton, both in Mustangs. Chris Collett was our quickest Mini qualifier.

Race one was a six-lap event which saw very close battles between the Mustangs of Mewett and Adam Walton and the Mazdas of Wayne Rogerson and Billy Attard.

Nc and Nb were each given a separate six-lap event for race two. Nc had Mewett from Walton with Rogerson leading Attard across the finish line. Chris Thomas had a DNF.

The Nb race saw the three Mustangs of Cooper, Woolhouse and Toepfer finishing ahead of Chris Collett’s Mini… and 4 Mini DNFs!

Sunday morning’s eight-lap race three saw Chris Thomas retire into pit lane approaching the start. Dave Gray went off and the Woolhouse and Cooper Mustangs had a coming together so the safety car was deployed.

There seemed to be some confusion on the restart with cars further back in the field due to safety car boards not being withdrawn. Ultimately Adam Walton lead the Mazdas of Attard and Wayne Rogerson home.

Race four was a four-lap dash late on Sunday afternoon. Again Adam Walton triumphed over Ian Mewett and Wayne Rogerson. Chris Collett just managed to pip Ross Muller’s Chevvy.

BMC Challenge Trophy Presentation, Graham Russell, Simon Meyer and Bob Rowntree

The BMC Challenge saw sixteen cars start from an original entry list that included 16 Minis and 10 Spridgets.

Feedback from drivers was that this was a great event allowing mixed but close class racing. The inaugural Russell/Rowntree Trophy went to Simon Meyer (Midget) with Chris Collett’s Mini second. A very close third was Nick Sebesfi’s Midget driven from rear of grid by son Andrew. Unfortunately five Minis failed to proceed.

Our HGNA club, although only in its infancy, continues to grow with a positive outlook. Moving forward we will continue to encourage this and provide support to all members with the assistance of our sponsors for which we are forever grateful.

Over the weekend the club provided a sheltered corporate area to meet, relax and enjoy a tea, coffee and refreshments in some great company.

This was possible through the continued efforts of Jenny and Paul Tierney to ensure our group shares the group N historic motorsport passion. We are pleased to report that HGNA competitors were involved in some close racing up and down the field with no reported incidents.

As we head into the holiday break, we would like to wish you all a happy holidays and a healthy, safe and successful New Year.

David Roberts