Winton Festival of Speed

The VHRR Festival of Speed meeting at Winton Motor Raceway was again another great event headed by a big field of Historic Group N Touring Cars. Thirty-six in all entered. Over from WA was Aldo De Paoli Camaro #96 NSW had Brad Tilley Mustang #28, Adam Walton Mustang#57 Francis Meier Mini #188 both drivers on their first trip to Winton Adam Bressington Mini #88, Chris Crowe Torana#3, John Harrison Cortina #89, Qld's Graeme Wakefield Mustang#150,(although he did practice with #88 on the car) David Streat Torana#202, and Robert James Capri#111. The lone SA entry of David Cheney Mini #58 would take no part in the meeting after a nasty turn one incident in the last practice session on Friday afternoon. Glad to pass on that the driver was ok. Over twenty-five local Victorian cars made up the grid. Saturday morning practice was a very quick affair with the faster cars only managed to complete four laps and the small capacity cars less than that. Brad Tilley was on pole from Adrain Moyle Vic Camaro#25, the impressive Adam Walton from P3, then Peter Mc Niven Vic Mazda RX2, Tony Hubbard Vic Camaro 24 however Tony wouldn't be on the starting grid, the improving Dom Leo Vic #84 coming to terms with the Camaro, Brent Trengrove Vic Camaro #22 Wakefield P8, the fast mini of Bressington P9 De Paoli P10, Andrew Beard Camaro Vic #86, rounding out the top twelve Rob Burns Charger Vic #70. Francis Meier had a few gremlins on the Friday but along with crew chief David Wheatley had the mini sorted starting from P23. Race one on Saturday afternoon was unfortunately a non race due to a red flag after a turn one accident involving Wakefield (who would take no further part in the meeting) Andrew Beard, William Trengrove Vic Mustang#64 and Peter Meuleman Vic Mustang#43. On to Sunday race two was a timed event over 10 minutes. No red flags or safety car for this one. Brad Tilley came out on top with a new race lap record 1.34.44 from the fast De Paoli a good drive from Walton seen him 3rd then Moyle the quick Mazda of McNiven, Dom Leo, followed by the flying brick of Bressington,

Andrew Beard showing signs of the race one accident on the left front guard, Nice to see the HQ Monaro of Marc Tessari Vic #8 up to 9th, Brent Trengrove 10th (add on a 15 second penalty) next in Geoff Munday Vic Camaro#68. Further back in the field spirited driving was on display throughout with Dean Mc Laughlan Vic Datsun#50 Gordon Cox Vic#77 and Don Knight#32 both in Cortian's being hunted by Steven Russell-Clarke Vic Austin #82 Philip Burrow Vic FJ# 72 Chris Finlayso Vic Mini#6 and Peter Oliver in a Cortina Vic #54 hunting then all. Francis Meier up to 21st at the checker. DNF recorded by the Burns Charger overheating Neil Crowe Mustang #30 Richard Hill Mini Vic #12. Race three was the Just Cars Group N Touring Car Cup over 50KM. This event went through with no stoppages or safety cars. Peter Mc Niven had that rotary on song and was after completing 16 laps was the winner from Brad Tilley in 2nd Aldo De Paoli was looking threating but had an issue finishing with a DNF. Great drive by Adam Walton for 3rd shaking off race long challenge from Moyle 4th, Dom Leo 5th, Marc Tessari 6th, Brent Trengrove 7th The ever-present Bressington 8th, David Streat 9th, Peter Meuleman 10th Stephen Pillekers Vic Torana#14 up to 11th Richard Hill 12th, Robert James 13th. All of the above finished on the lead lap and should be congratulated. other notable performances Francis Meier up to 15th, Les Walmsley Vic #99 16th John Harrison 17th both in Cortiana's and John Clarke with a steady drive in the Mustang Vic #196. Thanks to all at the VHRR, officials, medical staff, and flagies for another memorable event......and Group N drivers who took time so I could annoy them. Please check the following images of the cars on track.

Thanks to Mark Walsh / Throttle Jam Photography