Image: Taylor Pember
The Group N cars of the Historic Touring Car Association of NSW recently contested the fourth round of their 2017 series at Sydney Motorsport Park with Festival of Sporting Cars. Read on, and enjoy Stephen Pitman’s report of the event.
The Historic Touring Car Association will join us at Wakefield Park in just a few weeks for the penultimate points round of their season, which will be contested at the Spring Festival.
Thanks to Stephen Pitman and the Historic Touring Car Association of NSW. See their website for a mega photo gallery and more information on the series.
Images thanks to Taylor Pember, Mark Walsh & Daniel Walters.
FoSC Winter Invitation Eastern Creek Druitt Circuit 1 Day Meeting Saturday 22nd July 2017
August 2, 2017
PAYCE Historic Touring Cars Group N
Report by Stephen Pitman. Images by Taylor Pember, Mark Walsh & Daniel Walters.
Braving a brisk and early start, nineteen of our members turned out to experience an enjoyable day of motor racing in warm winter weather and a relaxing atmosphere at the FoSC Winter Invitational.
FOSC organisers praised the standard of on-track driving, highlighting Group N’s performance.
This was also a meeting that continued the trend of younger drivers being introduced to the group N category. Drivers such as Adrian Macri, Jamie Tilley, Andrew Taite, and Luke Broadhead, who featured in the Mark Broadhead invitation regularity event, joined the competition at the event.
Again I stress the importance of the regularity category as an introduction to the Group N category. These young drivers competed in all of the races and displayed extraordinary driving skill to more than cement their position in the Group N ranks.
Both aspects of the day were very encouraging to see.
Image: Daniel Walters
Qualifying Results
Group Nc
Jamie Tilley 1.11.5
Andrew Taite 1.11.7
Wayne Rogerson 1.14.5
Group Nb
Harry Bargwanna 1.13.3
John Harrison 1.15.3
Chris Collett 1.16.8
Race 1
Although Jamie Tilley had pole, he just could not master the start, which allowed Andrew Taite in the Chevrolet Camaro to lead into the first corner and ultimately go on to take the win ahead of Jamie in the Ford Mustang. Cam Worner in the GT Falcon finished in third.
Honours in the Nb placing went to Chris Collet in the Morris Cooper S with a win, Matt Russell Morris Cooper S in second and the EH Holden of Adrian Macri rounding out the podium with third.
Race 2
Again Jamie Tilley bogged down on the start to hand the lead advantage to Andrew Taite in the Chevrolet Camaro, ultimately resulting in an identical result to in Race 1.
Nb placings were slightly different this time out, with Chris Collett in the Morris Cooper S taking the win followed by Adrian Macri in the Holden EH second and David Wheatley in third position. A result due to the DNF of the Matt Russell Morris Cooper S. Harry Bargwanna also recorded a DNF in this event for reasons unknown.
Race 3
Andrew Taite in the Chevrolet Camaro had the best of the start again to lead Jamie Tilley in the Ford Mustang for the best part of the early laps of the event. This time, however, Jamie made a successful passing move to take the lead around the end of lap 3. Andrew and Jamie put on an entertaining display of driving, Andrew maintaining the pressure on Jamie until the end unable to slip by Jamie, who held on to experience a well-earned win. Cam Worner in the Falcon GT finished in third position.
Chris Collett would again be first on the podium for the Group Nb category, once again followed by Adrian Macri in the EH Holden and Barry Jessop in his EH Holden, resplendent in the new livery of diamond white and contrasting white roof. There is a rumour that the car was painted in a dodgy suburb in the States, explaining the bullet holes in the rear boot lid.
Image: Mark Walsh
Mark Broadhead Invitation Regularity Event
This event would display how important regularity is to blooding new members and younger drivers to our sport. While it received a comparably low participation rate, it allowed for some of the more experienced drivers to back off a little and let these new competitors get some experience under their belts to feel comfortable driving at speed in simulated race conditions.
At the sharp end of the field the Holden of a Macri put on a display of co-ordinated driving with fellow competitors to assist the new comers in finding their feet. Dave Wheatley Morris Cooper S supported newcomer Francis Meier also in a Morris Cooper S, demonstrating the race lines to be used to create fast lap times.
Also, and even though he has been around for some time, Nathan Swain has successfully completed his Observed Licence Test to attain his right to start competing. Congratulations Nathan! Nathan will be adding to the numbers of EH Holdens already competing. There is no mistaking Nathan – he resembles Captain Risky although I am assured he does drive a lot better.
As a club it is pleasing to see the emergence of this new talent to our ranks and that our promotion to attract new members is working. So, I call on all existing members to provide support where ever you can to help establish a firm place in our club moving forward.
Stephen Pitman