Phillip Island Classic 2009 preview

Highlights of the meeting include a celebration of 50 years of the Mini, with 1966 Bathurst winner Bob Holden and rally champion Rauno Aaltonen making guest appearances.

2009 also represents the 40th anniversary of Formula Ford in Australia, with a record field of 57 FF’s turning out to show their gratitude. Steerers include 2007 Australian FF champ Tim Blanchard and John Smith, champion of the 1977 FF year.

Exotic machines abound, with Groups P, Q and R hosting Rob Sherrard’s latest Le Mans acquisition in the form of an ex-Schlesser Sauber-Mercedes C9 and Wayne Park in a Porsche 962. Five Formula One cars will also be present, including three from the turbo era: ex-Alboreto Ferrari 156/85, ex-Berger/Fabi Benetton BMW B186 (widely agreed to be the most powerful Formula One car of all time) and ex-Jones Lola-Hart THL1

18 drivers are arriving from overseas including the world-renowned journalist Simon Taylor, who enjoyed the 2008 event so much that he is bringing his own classic- the Chev powered ‘Stovebolt Special’ over to compete this year.

Patron of the meeting is 2-time Australian Touring Car Champion, Glenn Seton, who will also be competing in the ever popular Group C/A event in a car that he ironically competed against back in the heyday of the Formula- a BMW E30 M3.

Further information can be obtained by visiting VHRR’s website: www.vhrr.com

All images kindly supplied by VHRR.

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