Widescreen Gallery: The HSRCA’s 2022 Sydney Classic

Images thanks to Seth Reinhardt / HSRCA

The HSRCA took over Sydney Motorsport Park a few weeks ago, over the 11th and 12th of June, to hold their 2022 HSRCA Sydney Classic historic race meeting in stunning winter conditions.

It was the club’s first trip to the circuit of 2022, and the meeting attracted over 200 historic sports, touring and race cars. After celebrating the immense motorsport contributions of Ron Tauranac AO in 2021, this meeting leaned more into the country’s touring car racing history, bringing a spectacular collection of racing muscle out to play.

The Group C & A historic touring cars of Heritage Touring Cars attracted a diverse range of machinery, from ‘Godzilla’, the 1991 Sandown 500-winning GIO Nissan Skyline GT-R of Tony Alford and several Ford Sierra RS500s, to Geminis, M3s and the mighty V12 ex-Garry Willmington Group A Jaguar XJ-S. Several cars made their debut with the series over the weekend, including an ex-AMG-Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2 run by Meon Nehrybecki, Craig Marsland’s E38 Charger, two George Fury Nissan Bluebird Turbos and an ex-Kerry Prost Gemini.

The Australian 5-Litre Touring Car Association added to that history, bringing early V8 Supercars out for a run. These included an ex-Paul Morris Commodore VE, the 2007 Ford Falcon that ‘The Rat’ Paul Radisich steered to victory at Sandown in 2000, an ex-Pro-Duct VP Commodore and a Ford Falcon BA that was driven by David Besnard, Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton.

Group N organised a near-track density field of historic touring cars, which was dominated by Aldo De Paoli in a beautiful 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. Chris Thomas in a Holden Torana did his best to keep Aldo honest, with a crowd of big Mustangs also in the thick of things, the usual strong representation of Minis occasionally leaving all wheels on the ground, and some stunning Cortinas, Alfas, Chargers and more providing entertaining racing throughout the field.

The touring cars weren’t the only ones bringing out big fields and great racing, however, perhaps no better demonstrated than in Group S. More than 30 historic sports cars filled the grid, with quick Porsches hard to beat but some excellent scraps throughout the field amongst Datsun 280Z, MG Midgets, Corvettes, Alfas, a De Tomaso Pantera and more. The Porsche 911 of Wayne Seabrook was unassailable throughout the weekend, kept honest by Terry Lawlor piloting a stunning ’66 Shelby American GT350 and Doug Barber in a second 911.

The open-wheeled categories were also out in force, William Lowing steering a 1988 Van Dieman to a clean sweep of Formula Ford, with Peter Lucas, Cameron Walters and Garry Watson chasing hard. Formula Vee ran with the Fords and were as entertaining as ever, Matthew Pearce quick in a Rennmax MK2 but unable to keep David Cutts from claiming two wins of his own in a 1984 Spectre.

Vivian King and Ian Buddery put on some similarly excellent back-and-forth competition in the big wings ‘n slicks Group Q & R Sports and Racing cars, King steering a 1986 RALT RT4 and Buddery on board a March 86C. Colin Haste was also quick in a Lola T560 and Andrew Carrig steered the Mallock Mk 27SG to three podium finishes.

Going a little older, and the classic sports and racing cars of L, M & O were wonderful as always. Brad Morrin qualified fastest in a Matich SR4B before Wayne Wilson claimed three races for the 1968 Brabham BT21C. Featuring a collection of 1960s Brabhams, Elfins, Coopers, Rennmax and others, this is one of the most evocative grids on track and always a highlight.

The two timed classes, Regularity and Supersprint, gave some interesting and varied cars an opportunity to run, including two cars with a good shout at being the most beautiful of the meeting – a Jaguar XJ13 replica and GT Developments GT40 replica. Others included a Xanthos 23B, Lotus Elise and Elan, Mazda RX7, several Jaguars, Sunbeam Alpines and Greg Boyle’s stunning Nissan GTR.

With the usual relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in the pits and paddock, perfect weather and great racing, the 2022 HSRCA Sydney Classic was a highlight of the year so far. The club will be back at it with their Spring Festival at Wakefield Park over September 10 and 11, before returning to Sydney Motorsport Park for the Summer Festival over December 3-4.

For more, including a massive gallery from the meeting, head to the club’s website at this link.

Images by Seth Reinhardt