The Australian Racing Drivers Club

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SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK’S GP CIRCUIT A SHINING LIGHT IN 2018 VASC CALENDAR

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OFFICIAL RELEASE: Supercars has finalised plans to race under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park next August.
The confirmation follows a lighting test held ahead of the Sydney SuperSprint this year and will mark the first Supercars night race on Australian soil since 1997.
Dubbed the Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight 300, the August 4 event will feature a single 300km race run in a three-hour window from 7-10pm.
“We’ve made no secret we wanted to stage a night race next year and I am delighted to say it is now a reality that we will hold this race under lights in Sydney,” said Supercars CEO James Warburton.
Sydney Motorsport Park CEO, Glenn Matthews, praised Supercars’ determination to make a night race at the venue a reality.
The Supercars event will run with temporary lighting as the circuit continues to lobby the New South Wales State Government for funding to erect permanent lights.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is already open 360 days of the year, and the introduction of circuit lighting and extended operating hours would introduce a whole new level of access for all motorsport and automotive enthusiasts, from after-work racing and spectating, endurance racing, driver and rider safety programs, corporate hospitality, job creation, education, exhibitions, and much more,” said Matthews.
“The Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight 300 is the first exciting step towards making this as a reality.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is one of the busiest sites in Western Sydney, hosting more than 600 events with more than 330,000 visitors coming through our gates annually.
“We want to make Sydney Motorsport Park the premier destination for the industry in Australia – not just for motor racing and motorsport, but for automotive technology, innovation, education, tourism and community engagement.
“We are committed to working with our partners, promoters, and the NSW Government in realising this vision.”

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MEGA MUSCLE CAR LINE UP ANNOUNCED

The Australian Muscle Car Masters (MCM) on October 28-29 is a celebration of our country’s Muscle Car heritage and a tribute to the drivers that raced.
MCM is a race down memory lane for those that grew up spending the October long weekend viewing the Great Race on TV or spectating trackside on Mount Panorama.
As a return to the gutsy glory days of Bathurst, the MCM is a horsepower heaven for motorsport fans! Unlike other motorsport events, fans can get up close to the machinery and chat with the drivers and their mechanics.

OFF-TRACK ENTERTAINMENT
Off-track attractions include ‘meet and greet’ sessions with legend race drivers, a mega show n’ shine (what we call the Pit Straight Car Club Corral) for road registered muscle cars and merchandise alley. Our 2017 Feature attractions include:
– Recreation of the Ron Hodgson Toranas on a fully loaded Transporter, immortalised at Bathurst 1973 with the original car, and both Bob Morris and John Leffler on site!
– Gil Tucker, the TV Star of Cop Shop, plus Mad Max 1 and the face of Torana Hatchback from the 70’s. Gil will be joined by a collective of old and newer NSW Highway Patrol Cars!
– A Collection of Bo Seton racecars, plus an on track tribute including his son Glenn and Grandson Aaron (Sunday only)
– A selection of GTR XU-1 road car Toranas celebrating this year’s Torana-only race, with special guest Don Holland to present Awards to placegetters.
– John Goss to unveil his 1976 Bathurst Concept Car surrounded by a collective of Falcon Coupes.
– Significant cars from the 1979 Repco Reliability on display, along with HDT Team Members.
– Ray Kaleda Static Display and on track Parade (Sunday only).
– Australian Beach and Outback Display with Palm Trees, Surfboards and, of course, Panelvans!
– Tickford / Prodrive Transporter with the new 77 Moffat Ford Dealer-inspired Mustang on display.
And more to be confirmed!

ON-TRACK ACTION
Six categories are now confirmed for the Masters weekend/ The full line-up is:
– Heritage Touring Cars (Group C/A)
– Historic Touring Cars to 1964 (Group Nb)
– Historic Touring Cars 1965-72 (Group Nc)
– Sports Sedans (National level)
– Kumho V8 Touring Cars (superseded V8 Supercars)
– Production Touring Cars
– Historic Touring Cars of NSW Torana Challenge, celebrating 45 years of Bathurst
– Master Blasts demos featuring 30 of the countries historic and significant races from the last 50 years
Other track sessions will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Every year we dip our lids to a handful of muscle car milestones – the big events and most famous models that shaped our
country’s legendary heritage of homegrown high
performance. This year we celebrate:
– 50th anniversary of XR Falcon GT
– 45th anniversary of Brock’s 1972 XU-1 win
– 40th anniversary of the Torana A9X
– 40th anniversary of Ford’s 1977 1-2
– 30th anniversary of Bathurst’s 1987 WTCC round and the hard-fought ’87 ATCC.

Spectators are admitted free of charge to the competitors paddock and undercover grandstand, and kids 15 and under are FREE!
Buy your tickets today!

SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK SHINES UNDER LIGHTS

18/08/17: Supercar night-racing at Sydney Motorsport Park could be a permanent fixture, following successful lighting tests at the Eastern Creek venue last night.

Sydney Motorsport Park CEO, Glenn Matthews, said he had held positive discussions with the NSW Government over the installation of permanent floodlights at the park, providing year-round, site-activation and serving a host of motorsport and industry uses, including Supercar racing.

“Last night’s testing highlighted the potential of night-time racing and activities here at Sydney Motorsport Park and we’re very hopeful that this is a sign of things to come,” Mr Matthews said.

“Full-time, permanent lighting will not only add a whole new level of excitement to motorsport racing, and the spectator experience in this country, but open up a range of commercial and tourism opportunities at Sydney Motorsport Park, including driver safety programs, corporate hospitality packages, and more track access for all levels of racing.

“We’ve held some preliminary, and positive, discussions with NSW Government which is supportive of our long-term vision for Sydney Motorsport Park, and we’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with all of our partners to set the benchmark for Australian motorsport facilities.”

The 92ha Sydney Motorsport Park precinct is one of the busiest sites in Western Sydney, hosting more than 600 events and over 300,000 visitors annually, and is nearly fully booked a year in advance.

Mr Matthews said the Park’s proximity to the proposed Western Sydney Airport, as well as one of the fastest growing populations in the region, are two of its key strategic drivers.

“Our long-term plans are focussed on making the most of our central location and looking at the opportunities to leverage Western Sydney’s growth as a visitor destination, and provide jobs and education for its vast, and diverse skilled labour,” he said.

“We’ve looked closely at the UK’s integrated education, industry and innovation facility at Silverstone and see no reason why Sydney Motorsport Park can’t adopt a similar model – one that’s heavily focussed on partnerships, education and innovation for Western Sydney.”

“The introduction of permanent lights is the first step towards establishing the necessary infrastructure to support our long-term vision for the site, and we’re committed to working with Government and our partners to make it happen.”

For further information, please contact the ARDC on (02) 9672 1000 or email media@old.ardc.com.au.

TWO WORKS OF AUTOMOTIVE ART HIT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK

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Two unique sculptures have just been delivered to the ARDC by automotive sculpture artist James Corbett to commemorate and celebrate Australian motorsport at SMSP.
The two sculptures, based on a vintage three wheeled Morgan racecar and a racing motorcycle of the same era, were commissioned by the ARDC to celebrate the passion and community spirit of both the two- and four-wheeled enthusiast.
“For a while now, we have been wanting to bring some fun, creativity and artistic flair to the Park,” says Glenn Matthews, ARDC CEO.
“We have been searching for a project that could encompass all of this, and found this world-renowned artist in our own backyard. He has not only delivered on our idea, but created two automotive masterpieces for all enthusiasts to enjoy and admire.”
The two sculptures will be officially revealed and launched at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 12, 2017 at the Morgan Supersprint and first day of the CMC Shannons Sydney Classic.

About the artist: James Corbett, originally from Ningi, Queensland, has been creating uniquely lifelike sculptures since 1998. Back then he was the owner of an auto recycling business and found himself transfixed by old car parts and metal objects. It wasn’t until he was gifted a sculpture made from welded gears that he had the idea to build his first car part sculpture.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is a fitting permanent home for some of my work,” says Corbett.
“I am hoping that their patrons will get a bit of a kick out of my racers. The two pieces go together to portray a race between an early vintage three wheeled Morgan, and a similarly early era racing motorcycle. These pieces are at the same time both very different to my normal subjects, yet are still very much my signature style of subject. Early Bikes and Three Wheelers are some of my favourite subjects, but this is only the second time I have done a car sculpture even close to this scale, and the motor bike is a first.”

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VALE: ARTHUR HAYES, MEMBER #1

y name is Arthur Hayes and my membership number is one”.

That is the way ARDC founding member and long-term president Arthur Hayes chose to introduce himself when I first saw him at an ARDC AGM in the early 1990’s. It was an introduction that gave him instant credibility no matter what type of gathering he was speaking at. Sadly, Arthur died on August 1 this year at the age of 92.

Soon after World War Two, Arthur took up racing with a Fronty Ford initially, then an MGTC and finally a modified Morris Minor. He raced at local Sydney circuits like Marsden Park, Parramatta Park and Mount Druitt. He even raced the MGTC at Bathurst once, in 1951, where he finished third in a Production Sports Car handicap. However, it was not behind the wheel of a race car that Arthur was to make a huge contribution to Australian motor racing in general and New South Wales motor racing in particular.

Belf Jones held the lease of Mount Druitt which he ran with the help of his silent partner George Bell. A gravel road was formed connecting both ends of the Mount Druitt air strip to form a circuit. The surface of this road was liquid tar covered by chunks of blue metal. It was very thin and broke up during race meetings so that after every meeting volunteers (mainly drivers) had to repair the surface as best they could.

Arthur and several other drivers thought it was unfair that the drivers were providing the entertainment plus maintaining the circuit and in return were only receiving minimal prizemoney. Arthur drew up a basic agreement giving the drivers a bigger slice of the spectator fee pie. Belf Jones signed the agreement but George Bell refused. It was Jones who counted the gate takings so the “new deal” was implemented. Bear in mind Arthur was only twenty five years old at the time.

The drivers needed a proper organisation. A meeting was called in Surry Hills for anyone interested in racing at Mount Druitt to attend. Fifty or sixty people turned up and the Australian Racing Drivers Club was formed. Larry Humphries was elected president, Arthur Hayes was elected secretary and the name was inspired by the British Racing Drivers Club. Arthur was given membership number one because he expressed the initial idea of a fairer deal for the drivers.

The ARDC ran their first meeting at Mount Druitt on Boxing Day in 1951. It was quite successful with races run strictly on time and about 3000 spectators attending. Races were run for closed cars, sports cars and racing cars. Spectator fences were placed at a safe distance from the track (no legislation in those days) and 44 gallon drums were used on the straight airstrip to introduce some curves.

Arthur took on the position of Clerk of the Course at ARDC meetings which were scheduled about six weeks apart. The ARDC was incorporated as a not for profit company in 1952.

After about six months president Larry Humphries resigned and Arthur was elected to replace him. Arthur was to serve the ARDC as president from 1953 to 1960.

The Royal Automobile Club was delegated by the FIA to run motor sport in Australia until the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) was formed in 1953. Ten or so NSW clubs formed the State Council and Arthur was elected its initial chairman – a position he occupied for seven years. Arthur was also the NSW delegate to the National Competition Council. He lobbied hard for advertising on racing cars but was not successful. CAMS did allow drivers names in small letters on the sides of cars, however. He was successful in agitating for compulsory seat belts and tough medical examinations.

When the Australian Sporting Car Club fell out with the Bathurst City Council and moved its race meetings to Gnoo Blas (Orange NSW) Arthur was at the forefront of negotiations to have the ARDC take over running races at Mount Panorama. The ARDC did so from 1954 to 1998. In 1954 Arthur was part of a joint committee from both the ARDC and the Blue Mountains Sporting Drivers Club which mapped out the circuit that was to become Catalina Park. Future world champion Jack Brabham was a fellow committeeman.

When Oscar Glasser drew up plans to build Amaroo Park circuit, hillclimb and short circuit he asked Arthur for comments. After a site inspection Arthur made a few suggestions which to his credit were adopted in the final design.

In 1960 Arthur resigned from the ARDC and the National Competition Council. He became a commercial pilot and moved to Bathurst for six months or so before accepting a two week job in Rockhampton. He stayed for 20 years.

Plans are in place to retire Arthur’s membership number so we can safely say there will never be another member number one. And that is how it should be.

– Brian Goulding

Shannons Nationals Round 4 Preview

OFFICIAL RELEASE: The Shannons Nationals heads north of the Australian border to New South Wales for the first time this season, as part as the fourth round on the 2017 schedule.
Racing at Sydney Motorsport Park for the first time this season, this round will feature a few firsts—with the introduction of a new race format and a fresh-faced category.
Amongst those changes is in the Australian Production Car Series, which will see the series run four one-hour races, a completely different format to their last round where two endurance races completed the event.
The battles will go down to the wire this weekend, as the current series leaders are ‘on leave’ racing in Townsville, so expect to see some surprise winners and intense class battles.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge will run their fourth round for the season, with this year’s title fight proving to be one of the most exciting yet.
Jordan Love currently leads the Professional class and the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy—but it hasn’t come easy, with Anthony Gilbertson claiming pole at Winton, former Olympian John Steffensen winning the first round of the Professional class, Brenton Grove taking debut race wins and Sam Shahin taking the outright round win at Sandown.
As well as the Porsches and Production Cars, two of the most exciting sports car series in the country return to Sydney, thanks to the company of the Australian Prototype Series and Radical Australia Cup.
Arguably delivering the most exciting racing at Winton, Jason Makris will be looking to continue his winning-streak at Sydney after taking three wins at the previous round.
Peter Paddon currently leads Radical Australia Cup and will be one busy steerer, competing in both the Radical and Prototype series’ across the event.
Notable mentions to Oliver Smith and Michael Shaw in Radical who will both be looking at taking race wins on home-soil.
A new category also joins the Nationals this weekend, with the Alfa Romeo Challenge featuring a field of over 20 Alfa Romeos, ranging from Group S to Under 2 Litre.
The Nationals TV Livestream also returns this Sunday 9 July, with the action live and free at thenationals.com.au/live