Round Report & Photo Gallery: The 2022 HSRCA Sydney Classic

Track time has been scarce over the last couple of years, so it was pleasurable to get back out into some real motorsport competition in beautiful weather conditions at the HSRCA’s 2022 Sydney Classic, held at Sydney Motorsport Park over the 11th and 12th of June.

A fantastic presentation of rare and special vehicles created an atmosphere dating back many years in motorsport history. It was also notable the number of young people experiencing this rich history for the first time.

Group N fielded a strong number of race cars that competed in a rigorous fashion without any major incidents. Our group did however experience a high rate of mechanical issues, so perhaps the long gap between events created a feeling of complacency in pre-race preparation.

I know from my personal experience that this was the case for my EH Holden. Firstly the deterioration of an oil supply hose which severely affected engine oil pressure that was eventually resolved. Only to be followed with a grid line gearbox failure. HGNA friends Ian Johnson and his crew assisted in changing the gearbox to allow me to finish the last race.

I was also disappointed that I was unable to participate in the multiple sclerosis track experience but believe it was completed successfully. HGNA members that kindly participated were Ian Johnson, Paul and John Battersby.

Photo courtesy Mark Walsh Throttle Jam Photography

There were also a number of Group N competitors who travelled from interstate including Aldo De Pauli from Western Australia - a great effort in his Chevrolet Camaro. He was rewarded in winning all 3 Group N races.

Anthony Colton in his Ford Cortina also travelled from Western Australia to add to the spectacle this event creates.

Steve Jeffs and his pit crew Grant Campbell travelled down from Queensland and although they were plagued with mechanical issues that prevented them from competing, they expressed their appreciation in just enjoying the experience.

Other interstate representatives included the Heffernan motorsport family with son Ashley finishing towards the front of the Nc field in his XU1 Torana. Ian Mewett Ford Mustang and Craig Allen in his Falcon Sprint also travelled from interstate to join us.

Aldo De Pauli Camaro, Adam Walton Ford Mustang and Ian Mewett in his Ford Mustang dominated Group Nc qualifying. An invitation was extended to Queensland Competitor Stan Adler in his Group S Porsche, qualifying fourth.

In Group Nb Qualifying, Jamie Tilley sat at the top of the time sheets in a Ford Mustang, the ever-dominating Morris Mini Cooper of Andrew Bergan placing highly in front of the Michael Rose’s Ford Mustang.

Morris Mini Cooper competitors were well represented by John and Paul Battersby, David Roberts, Frances Meier and Tom Tweedie. Tom in the recently-acquired Morris Mini Cooper, having driven many larger and more powerful examples of race vehicles finishing well up in the field order although a DNF in race 2 was a mystery.

Photo courtesy Mark Walsh Throttle Jam Photography

New members Craig Anderson Ford Capri and Loris Mariotto Volvo 122S continued to fit in to the HGNA environment, adding to the historic motor racing culture.

Photo courtesy Mark Walsh Throttle Jam Photography

After a long absence from the historic motor racing scene it was a pleasurable sight to see Robert Hayden return to the track in the rich in history orange EH Holden, an example that are very rare to be seen at events these days.

Bob was performing well in the EH Holden until a cam malfunction in the engine forced him from competition. I sincerely hope that this will not be the last we see of this beautiful example of this type of vehicle.

The Holden Torana of Paul Tierney performed well as usual with Paul having a trouble free outing finishing well up the finishing order.

Photo courtesy Mark Walsh Throttle Jam Photography

HGNA long term member Ian Johnson presented and raced his new immaculate Ford Cortina, although he borrowed the colour scheme from another famous competitor.

From all the post feedback received, the event was a very enjoyable outing for all competitors and supporters and for a change experienced in warm and sunny weather.

Steve Pitman