Wrapping Up the 2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic

Danny Ciarma having a lock up on cold tyres into turn two on Sunday morning, Garth Selig hot on his heels in the Dart, the Triumph Stag of Keith Ondarchie on the inside

It’s hard to believe it’s already been more than six months since our 2025 Summer Festival, but we were very happy to take to the track once more over the Kings Birthday long weekend, June 6 – 7, for the 2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic. Let’s catch up on all the action on and off track at Sydney Motorsport Park.

We were greeted by an absolutely perfect winter weekend, a very welcome change after the varied and exciting array of challenging weather conditions we’ve run under in recent years. Mornings were cool, but not cold, the skies were blue and the air still, and the sun had enough punch to warm the circuit a little, but not outright melt it. This was not only kind to our persons, but the cars as well and we were happy to hear of many drivers setting personal bests or new lap records over the weekend.

Speaking of challenging weather conditions, we’d like to send a big ‘THANK YOU!’ to the volunteers who have stuck with us through all of them. We would not be able to put these meetings on without your selfless support across the circuit and behind the scenes, and we appreciate all that you do.

Our thanks as well to all of the HSRCA members, competitors, families, friends, support crews and spectators who came out to enjoy the racing and catch up in the pits and paddock. The atmosphere was happy and welcoming as always, and it was a pleasure to see everyone sharing stories, tinkering with the cars and relaxing.

An incredible amount of work goes in to not just competing in, maintaining and tuning the cars over the weekend, but preparing them and getting to the circuit in the first place. The cars across the field were beautifully presented as always, and much appreciated by those who took a wander through the pits and paddock.

Speaking of competing, Blend Line TV once again came out to live stream and record the Sydney Classic in its entirety. The archive of which is available on their Club website, which you can find at this link. It costs $10.99 per month (less than the cost of 5 litres of fuel) for access, and that includes the recent Historic Winton meeting as well as many others.

Warren Brown in the 2009 Superformance GT40 Mk1 Replica chased by Stuart Sedgmen in the 1967 Hustler, running double duty in the M & O race with his Brabham BT6 FJ

Supersprint were first out, Jamie Tilley setting the pace early with a 1:42 and having a commanding run across the weekend in the Ford XY GTHO. In the first run he would be joined by Madox Foster and Gavin King, Paul Finch going fastest in run two, with Stuart Sedgmen sneaking onto the podium as well.

Sticking with the timed classes, Regularity saw some beautifully prepared and interesting cars out for a run. John Culvenor ran to an early in his stunning Elan in the first run, David Ellis and Peter Ireland completing the top three. There was a complete switch-up of the order in run two, Craig Shiel topping the sheets in the Chevron B60, John Rose following and Peter Ireland consistent in third. John Culvenor was back on top for run three, Craig Shiel and John Rose both showing good consistency, before the final run of the weekend late on Sunday saw only a few drivers head out.

John Pymble charging down the back straight on Sunday morning

Moving on to the race categories, Formula Ford were out early on Saturday morning for qualifying, with Andrew McInnes setting the pace in a very closely competed group of four Van Dieman RF89, an earlier 86 also in the pack in the hands of Tom Tweedie. Harrison Cooper would get a run on the field in race one and stretch out a two second lead, McInness following in second in a group of five cars separated by about half a second.

While the pointy end remained closely contested, the order settled into somewhat of a rhythm for race two, Cooper leading McInness now followed by Tweedie, Garry Watson and Will Faulkner. William Lowing had set a blistering lap in race two and made his way into the lead by the conclusion of race three, holding on to it for the finale of the weekend.

Travis Clark in the Rennmax BN-3 on Saturday afternoon, chased by David Kent pedalling the Brabham BT21C

M, O and Formula Vee ran together over the weekend, which made for a big field and some entertaining racing. In qualifying it was Paul Faulkner who set P1 for the M & O cars, Stephen Normoyle the quickest of the Vees. This pattern continued into the first race, which Faulkner won ahead of Travis Clark and David Kent. Tony Paynter led the Vees home, followed by Normoyle and Damien Spinks.

With the pointy end well established on Sunday morning, Noel Bryen would jump onto the podium in his Rennmax, staying there through race three when Normoyle, Spinks and Daniel Bando set the podium in the Vees. The final race of the weekend saw our HSRCA President Wayne Wilson earn a spot on the podium, Dan Bando improving in the Vees for second.

Mackenzie Pollard level with Robert Willets in her first official meeting as our HSRCA Young Women in Motor Sport driver

This weekend was also the first official outing for Mackenzie Pollard after being awarded the HSRCA Young Women in Motor Sport drive. She had a great weekend, improving by about two seconds across the five events, and driving consistently in a challenging mixed field.

Tim Berryman with mechanic Rodney Gibbes preparing to go out on Sunday afternoon

We were thrilled to get some Formula 5000s out to play at the Sydney Classic, with Tim Berryman enjoying a dominant weekend and a clean sweep of the event in the Lola T332. Evan Farrall did similar in his March 732A, Matthew Veal, Rod Carroll and Bill Hemming also scoring podiums over the weekend.

Andrew Miedecke was the one to beat in Q & R sports and racing, winning all of the races bar race two. Vivian King had a similarly good weekend, scoring second in race one, winning race two and claiming third in race three, with Malcolm Oastler also amongst it throughout the event. In the final run of the weekend James Jarvie put the Lola T582 into second followed by Malcolm Boyd in an Elfin 792.

Anthony Colton leads a large pack at the start of race two on Saturday afternoon, Hamish Bedwell on the outside, Nathan Stevenson and Mark Johnson also amongst it

Moving to the tin tops, and Brad Tilley, Joe Calleja and Robert James were quick to set a rhythm in Group N, setting the top three in qualifying and holding that formation through race one and two. Race three on Sunday morning was a handicap event, which Brad Tilley still managed to charge through in the Mustang, Anthony Colton claiming second in his Cortina and Ray Hepburn third in another Mustang.

The final race of the weekend saw Tilley complete a clean sweep, Robert James in second and Paul Battersby in the Mini third.

Bill Robinson steering his 911 back around towards the main straight, followed by Colin Wilson-Brown, Matt Magraith in another Alfa and the Triumph TR6 of Stephen Brankstone

Group S brought another great field out to the event, with Wayne Seabrook charging at the outset ahead of stuff competition from the Shelby of Terry Lawlor, Chris Clearihan also quick in the Bolwell Nagari. Seabrook would claim victory in race one, Doug Barbour moving up into second to resume their oft contested rivalry, Lawlor holding firm on the podium. Graham Gulson from Canberra managed to dethrone Seabrook in race two, Andrew Purvis finding his way past Barbour for third.

Starting fresh on Sunday morning, Gulson remained at the front, Terry Lawlor back on form for second ahead of Barbour, the order holding for the final race of the weekend.

John Makeham in the Midget ahead of Geoffrey St John-Cox from Victoria in a Triumph TR7

Last but very much not least, we were pleased to be once again joined by MG Racing Australia for the Sydney Classic. Philip Chester dominated the weekend in the monster 1972 MGB GT V8, Brandon Taylor similarly quick in his completely different but still plenty fast MG Midget.

Keith Ondarchie set third in race one, with Michael Trathen in another Midget third in race two, during which Taylor would actually get ahead of Chester for the win. The final race of the weekend saw the order returned after a good weekend of racing from all.

Thank you for your support of the 2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic! We are pleased to say there won’t be nearly so long a gap before our next meeting, with the Spring Festival set for September 25 – 27 at One Raceway and the Summer Festival following at Sydney Motorsport Park November 27 – 29. We look forward to seeing you there!

To keep you busy until then, grab a cuppa and have a browse through the following links and enjoy a wonderful selection of images with thanks to the many talented photographers who help us document our meetings.

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Campbell Armstrong Rider

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Riccardo Benvenuti

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Jeremy Braithwaite

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Ivica Glavas

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Tom Hynec

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: David Jenkins

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Victor Kalaf

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Steve Koen

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Steve Power

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Seth Reinhardt

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Mark Richards

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Peter Schell

2026 HSRCA Sydney Classic: Russell Windebank

Thank you to Campbell Armstrong Rider, Riccardo Benvenuti, Jeremy Braithwaite, Ivica Glavas, Tom Hynec, David Jenkins, Victor Kalaf, Steve Koen, Steve Power, Seth Reinhardt, Mark Richards, Peter Schell and Russell Windebank. Click their names to head to their websites or socials for more, or email Seth at web@hsrca.com if you’re looking for something from him, Peter, Russell, either Steve or Tom.