A strong field of Twenty seven under 2ltr and invited Group N Touring cars took to the track at the VHRR Phillip Island Classic meeting March 8th-10th. Qualifying on Friday morning in bright warm sunny conditions see the super quick Escort of S.A driver Joshua Axford #3 on pole 1.54.4 then David Noakes Escort 1.55.3 Richard Hill Mini #12 1.56.7 Adam Bressington Mini #6 157.2 Anthony Colton Cortina #5 1.59.8 Jim Schilling Volvo #142, 2.01.4 Peter Van Summeren Cortina #7, 2.02.1 Sydney's David Wheatley #161 Mini 2.03.2 Stephen Page #154 BMW 2.03.5 Philip (The Hunter) Barrow #72 FJ 2.03.8 Francis Meier #188 Mini 2.04.3. Race one Friday afternoon was over 4 laps Josh Axford coming out on top from Noakes, Hill , Colton, Van Summeren, an improving Meier, Schilling, and keeping in the top ten Barrow. A DNF for David Wheatley with a CV issue Robert Ingram #42 Escort, and Stewart Barnes #22 Cortina which proved to be troublesome all weekend Adam Bressington #6 withdrew from the meeting after this race with a head gasket issue.
Saturday again very warm conditions for race 2 over 5 laps. Axford again the winner in a very polished drive. Then Noakes, Hill, Dean Mc Laughlan #91 Datsun 1600, Barrow getting the very best out of the FJ still finishing in the top 10 a good dice between the Mini's of Wheatley and David Roberts #20 a bit further back. A few DNF's this time Steven Russell-Clarke Austin A40 #82 and Julian Bingley Cortina #31 from Tasmania. Race three Saturday afternoon in very hot weather Axford dose it again from Noakes, Stephen Page up to third in the BMW, Mc Laughlan Datsun, Barrow, (having a cracker of a meeting) DNF for both David Roberts. Steven Russell Clarke A40, plus the usual bullet proof Citroen of Michael Stupka #61.
Sunday and race 4 over 5 laps. No driver could keep up with the very fast Escort of Axford second again Noakes, Mc Laughlan, Colton, Ian Pringle #23 Mini, Barrow still there, Kim Shern Cortina #58 and bouncing back David Roberts in his Mini. After a very long hot day 14 cars fronted for the last Group N race for the weekend. No Change at the front Axford the winner from Noakes, Mc Laughlan, Page, Colton, Donald Knight #32 Cortina Paul Gilbert #541 Datsun 1600. Unfortunate for Barrow with a disappointing DNF and Russell- Clarke. Brilliant display by all involved but that well driven and prepared Escort of Axford is going to take some beating.
Report from Mark Walsh, Throttle Jam Photography
