Widescreen Gallery: The 2020 HSRCA Summer Festival

Over the last weekend in November, the HSRCA returned to Sydney Motorsport Park for their annual Summer Festival of historic motor sport. We were there to cover the event, and below you can enjoy a few photos of the action.

For many reasons, we are lucky to live here in Australia. In 2020, the first to come to mind is that as a little island in the middle of nowhere, we’ve been fortunate in our dealings with the prevailing global condition. This meant that the event was able to go ahead for a full entry, albeit without spectators.

And a full entry it was! With opportunities for motor sport scarce during the middle of the year, and the club’s mid-year meeting at the circuit cancelled, competitors were looking forward to a return to the longer, faster circuit and showed up in force. Formulas Vee and Ford, the Brabhams, Elfin, Coopers, Lotus and more in L, M & O and the big wings ‘n slicks Lolas, Marchs and Chevrons of Q & R were on full song. The Group S sports cars and Group N touring cars brought out strong fields as always, as did the highly varied fields of the time-based Supersprint and Regularity classes.

Unfortunately, summer also turned up in force, offering up two days of record-breaking heat. By the time we drove in to the circuit on Saturday morning the display at the circuit entrance had already cruised past 30C, and temperatures would climb to the early 40s. Not much changed overnight and Sunday also saw 40 degrees – only it was blowing a gale which seemed to take the edge off the heat. Not the best conditions for quick lap times or quick cars – especially of the historic variety.

Nevertheless, once qualifying got under way the circuit was filled with the song of motor sport and there were some great races to enjoy. With organisers unable to welcome spectators and the heat inspiring most to shelter under cover, the venue was a little quieter than usual. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was pleasant with the community enjoying the opportunity to get together after a quiet year and spin a few tales of glory and glorious defeat.

We’re looking forward to a full historic motor sport season in 2021. The HSRCA have released their 2021 calendar and will be heading out for the first time in March, over the 20th & 21st for the Autumn Festival at Wakefield Park. The Sydney Classic will run over the 12th & 13th of June at Sydney Motorsport Park, the Spring Festival over the 28th & 29th of August at Wakefield Park and the Summer Festival will see the club return to Sydney Motorsport Park for over the 27th & 28th of November.

For more from the club including their full coverage of the Summer Festival, head to their website here.