The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association (HSRCA) successfully held its Autumn Historic Festival at Wakefield Park on the weekend, despite difficult weather impacting New South Wales.
While the state was hit with torrential rain throughout the weekend and in the lead up, Wakefield Park and its surrounding area wasn’t as badly affected, allowing the race meeting to continue as planned.
Unfortunately, the club still lost a number of competitors as a result of the poor conditions with many unable to get to the event, but a positive showing of 90 competitors across a range of categories still managed to compete in the event.
From open-wheel staples such as Formula Vee and Formula Ford to Regularity, Supersprint and the Group S,N and L categories, there was plenty of action to heat up the track throughout the two days of racing.
In terms of numbers, the event proved costly for the club, but for President Wayne Wilson, it was important to put the event on in order to give people a chance to do something they love in the midst of what has been a difficult 12 months for many.
“It was a wet weekend but thankfully we were at the tail end of the NSW floods and it was actually clear enough to run, which was a fantastic result,” Wilson said.
“We had a few pull people pull out and we lost money to be honest, but it’s not about that, it’s about giving people a chance to do what they love especially after what has been a lack of motorsport as of late.
“I don’t think people take into account the mental health positives that these events have on people and we are committed to doing these sorts of things – no matter the financial implications it may have on the club.
“As for the racing, it was a good spectacle. The Group N and the Sports Cars were really fun, the Formula Vees were out buzzing around with their tyres that are specific for wet weather.
“All in all, people had a good weekend and we got really positive feedback from many and that’s the main objective for me.”
With the Autumn Festival complete, the club now turns its attention to its next major event in June – the Ron Tauranac tribute meeting at Sydney Motorsport Park.
With more than 250 people expected to take part and weather unlikely to have the same impact as it did on the weekend, Wilson was looking forward to what could be a significant historic race meeting.
“Ron Tauranac AO is obviously a monumental figure in Australian motorsport, he was co-founder of the Brabham constructor and racing team, and Patron of the HSRCA” Wilson added.
“The meeting in June will be a tribute to Ron and we expect to have the largest collection of Brabham and Ralt Cars at the same location in history, including about six Formula 1, Tasman and V8 Brabhams.
“We will also have Sir Jack’s 1966 Championship winning Repco-Brabham BT-19 (car) on display so this event will be one that the classic motorsport fan can really enjoy. Supporting categories will include Group A+C and 5 Litre Touring cars ”
The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association’s Ron Tauranac Tribute Meeting at Sydney Motorsport Park takes place on 12-13 June.