Historic Winton 2025

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Historic Winton 2025 was a great success. Fast cars, good weather, and well supported by spectators. Thirty-nine Group N touring Cars from around the country took to the track on Saturday morning for qualifying in two groups. After qualifying the grid was split into two groups for racing.

NSW had Chris Collett #62, Paul Battersby #271, John Battersby# 270, Francis Meier#188, Adam Bressington#6 Jason Humble# 2 (driving for Graham Russell) Tom Tweedie#19, Brett (the Jet) Eggleston#51, David Roberts#20, David Wheatley#161 Geoff Pike#7 all in minis. Jerry Lenstra #41, John Shuttle#118, and Brad Forgeard#76 all in Cortina's. South Australian's David Cheney#158 Jason Armstrong#77 in minis. The lone WA entry of Syd Jenkins#29 mini and then a swarm of Victorians. Richard Hill#12, Linda Devlin#21, Henry Draper#37, Lindsay Siebler#17, Steven McKay#36, David McKay#3, Christian Jannike#81, Chris Finlayson#81, John Doherty#64, Geoffrey Hulbert#44 all in minis, Dean Mc Laughlan#40 Datsun 1600, Philip Burrow#72 FJ Richard Fairlam#34 EH, Gordon Cox#771, Kim Shearn#58, Jeff Vaux#121, Rod Evens#31, Simon Browning#57,Nick Cascone#66 Les Walmsley#99 all in Cortina's Steve Russell Clarke Austin Farina#82, Taking the ship over from Tasmania the two mini's of Jeremy Bennett#91 and Jack Perry#13.

The standout event on the Saturday was the Ted Brewster Mini Challange over 6 laps. Twenty-three mini's in one race was a great sight. Unfortunately, not taking part NSW Chris Collett with an engine issue and Syd Jenkins for unknown reasons. Jason Armstrong was the flag-to-flag winner with a quick lap of 1.07.8 from a spirited Adam Bressington, Jeremy Bennett, Jason Humble who was driving very well in the mini, Richard Hill, the consistent Tom Tweedie, Jack Perry, Henry Draper, Francis Meier (very nice drive Francis) and Linda Devlin cutting her way through the field.

On to race one Group one and Jason Armstrong again from Bressington, Humble, Bennett, Tweedie and Hill. That Armstrong mini was looking good after claiming pole as well.

Race two for Group one this time on Sunday morning 6 laps. Armstrong from Bressington, Humble, Bennett, Hill, Tweedie, Nick Cascone up to 7th, Perry. Those first six mini's were really quick.

Race 3 for group one and Armstrong was stamping his authority with another win from pole from again Bressington, Humble, Bennett, Tweedie, Hill, Perry, Devlin. Great racing guy's and gal

Last race for this group and every spectator was glued to the fence no one had gone home. This time 8 laps Armstrong, from Bressington who had a good look at Armstrong's boot lid all weekend Bennett after a late pass on Humble, Hill, Tweedie, Cascone, Draper, Paul Battersby, and David McKay.

Group Two race one Saturday 6 laps. Brilliant to see Jerry Lenstra win this from Mc Laughlan, Philip Burrow holding off many challengers in 3rd Doherty, Cox, Brad Forgeard in his newly acquired Cortina, Fairlam, John Battersby, Shearn, Russell-Clarke in the Austin. Race 2

Group 2 Sunday 6 Laps again Jerry Lenstra with a masterful drive from the determine Mc Laughlan, Burrow, holding off Fairlam, Cox, Dohrerty, Forgeard, Shearn.

Race 3 for this very entertaining group 6 laps. Lenstra, from Mc Laughlan, Burrow, Cox, Geoff Pike on the move up to 5th, then Doherty.....there is a patten forming.

Last race for this group and over 8 laps with no Jerry Lenstra on the grid Mc Laughlan drove away for a comfortable win from the ever improving Geoff Pike, Barrow (don't know how he managed to maintain the brakes) Forgeard improving all the time in the new Cortina, Cox, Chris Finlayson had an off at the esses but gathered it all up and a great race long battle between Wheatley and Russell-Clarke.

Best thing about this meeting apart from the racing. No Red flags or safety car interventions. Thanks to all at the Austin 7 club, officials, volunteers, and flag marshals.

If you are going to share this report or images please give credit to Throttle Jam Photography

Thanks Mark Walsh for this great report and the pics below, well done!

Bathurst 6 Hour 2025

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A total of forty-three cars arrived at Bathurst for the Easter meeting. Joining the Group N Touring Cars were a select few Group S racing cars including Terry Lawlor Mustang #8, David Cunneen Porsche#555, Michael Tresillian Datsun#192, Doug Barbour Porsche#911. The guys that did the big trip from WA the super-fast Paul Stubber Camaro#31, Mike Gallagher in an immaculate Jaguar#60, Ray Hepburn Mustang#59, and the welll traveled Grahame Woodhouse Mustang#86. Another team that put in a big effort to support the meeting Scott Cordwell Torana#42 from Tasmania. Peter O'Brien was driving his Falcon XY#27 from the ACT. Craig Allan Mustang#55, Grahame Wakefield Mustang#188, David Streat Torana#20, Rob James Capri#111, Stewart Watson#7 Falcon XY, all down from Queensland. Michael Miceli Mustang#69, Andrew Beard Camaro#186, Adrian Moyle Camaro#25, Michael Hibbert Charger#71, Keith Davidson Valiant Pacer#26, Kim Sheran Cortina#58, Stewart Bailey Cortina#92 Peter Meuleman in the black brick Mustang#43 all from Victoria. Peter had a very unhappy meeting suffering a mechanical issue after qualifying and took no further part in the meeting. The remaining cars were from NSW and a strong presents indeed. There was a practice session on the Friday morning in ideal weather conditions and some cars got in Five laps but most completed four. Qualifying Friday afternoon seen Stubber on pole with a 2.29.1, then Brad Tilley Mustang#28, Luke Harrison Mustang#17, Jack Harrison Mustang#173, Craig Allan, Michael Miceli, Geoff Morgan, Grahame Woodhouse, Terry Lawlor, Andrew Beard, Adrian Moyle, Michael Hibbert, and that's your top twelve. Race one Saturday morning again clear blue skies and sunny. This race only seen one racing lap after a most unfortunate accident at the top of mountain straight two very badly damaged Mustangs of Graham Woodhouse and Greg Toepfer. This was two separate incidents on the same turn and hopefully with a little help these two popular and absolute champions of Group N will return to the track soon. Stubber after only four laps was declared the winner however three laps were under safety car from Brad Tilley, Luke Harrison, Jack Harrison. Race two Saturday afternoon Stubber again after finishing only five laps and again two under safety car after Stephen Page had an accident at Hell Cnr resulting in damage to his bullet proof BMW#54 from Brad Tilley, Luke Harrison, Michael Miceli, Craig Allen, Terry Lawlor, Andrew Beard, Peter O'Brien, other drivers of note the always quick Torana of Greg Luca#202, Quintin Bland Capri#33, LLoyd Parry Mustang#289, Wayne Harrison Monaro#350. Jamie Tilley was having a mixed weekend the Mustang #9 being troublesome at times. Race three and the final event Sunday morning again under brilliant weather conditions and a trouble-free run with no red flags or safety cars. Probably the drive of the meeting in this event with Jamie Tilley starting ROF and finishing third behind the winner Paul Stubber, from Brad Tilley, Craig Allan ,Peter O'Brien, Terry Lawlor doing very nicely in the Group S Mustang, Adrain Moyle, Jack Harrison, One thing of note at this meeting was the no warm up or sighting lap ? for reasons I can't explain. Thanks to all the officials, supporters, teams, and followers of Group N, it's big effort to race at Bathurst and all your efforts are much appreciated.

Mark Walsh, Throttle Jam Photography

6 Hour Regularity SMSP

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The NSWRRC 6 Hour relay regularity is over for 2025. This event had a diverse range of vehicles and drivers of varying abilities all this considered this event is a great introduction to circuit racing. The Historic Group N Assocation of NSW entered a very promising group of experienced drivers all guided under the watchful eye of club president Steve Pitman. SMP Eastern Creek turned on absolutely perfect Autumn weather conditions. It does take some time to work out the exact class and outright results at the time of posting no final results are available. Apart from an engine issue for the Paul Tierney Torana on the Saturday practice the weekend was seamless for the team and special mention to Paul who returned on the Sunday to take part in the event in his stunning and very quick Nissan #301 replacing the Torana. Also, many thanks to our other on track team members Craig Anderson Ford Focus #304, Wayne Lacy Ford Focus #306, Phillip Hoad Torana #303, Loris Moriotto Volvo #305, David Ellis Torana #302. Thanks to the club, our committee, and Steve Pitman for his work on the pit wall directing the team. Check the gallery for the drivers on track.

Mark Walsh, Throttle Jam Photography

Phillip Island Classic 2025

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Last weekend March 7-9th was an absolute feast of motorsport at the VHRR Phillip Island Classic. This is really a must meeting to attend with around 380 entries there is something for every fan. Historic Group N Touring Cars, V8 Supercars, Groups C & A Touring cars, Sports and open wheel racing cars, Formula Vee and Ford, plus a fantastic static display of racing cars and Speedway machines. For a more detailed report on Group N Touring Cars go to Historic Group N Association Group on Facebook or if you just would like to check out a variety of cars from the meeting.....well you'll find them right here in the gallery. set your sights now for 2026.

Thanks to Mark Walsh for the contribution and photos.

HSRCA Summer Festival 2024

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The last race meeting for Group N Touring cars for 2024 was the HSRCA Summer Festival meeting at SMP November 30-December 1, 2024. A strong field of 24 Group N cars went out on a damp track in very warm conditions including interstate visitors Mark Johnson #97 Mustang, Kim Shearn#58 Cortina both from Victoria Craig Robertson #131 Charger down from Queensland. Qualifying seen Mark Johnson put the Mustang on pole with 2.00.6 followed by Peter O'Brien #27 Falcon XY, David Nokes Escort #1 the ever-present Greg Toepfer #88 Mustang Anthony Colton Cortina#5 Spencer Rice #295 Alfa Chris Dubois #3 Cortina Steve Page #54 BMW John Harrison #89 Cortina then it was Paul Battersby #271 Mini Paul Tierney Torana#72 and the usually reliable Francis Meier Mini #188 that's the top twelve. On to race one Saturday afternoon again a damp track over five laps and an unfortunate start for Toepfer who stalled in P4 and brilliant driving from all cars seen them all get around Greg, who did eventually got off the line for some reason the safety car was deployed for two laps. Peter O'Brien won in the XY but both he and Mark Johnson Mustang both received 5 second penalties the latter finishing third, David Nokes crossed in second, Toepfer up to tenth from last, Paul Battersby eighth, Paul Tierney ninth, one car that was of note is the Matt Sullivan #180 Torana was on the move forward and looking faster and faster as the meeting went on along with David Wheatley #61, David Roberts#20. DNF for Jerry Lenstra#41 Cortina with a gearbox issue but Jerry would change the box and return to racing. Race two again on Saturday 5 laps this time no safety car O'Brien again the winner from Nokes, Johnson, Anthony Colton#5 Cortina, Rice, Toepfer, Chris Dubois#3 Cortina, further back seen some spirited driving by John Battersby#270 Dave Gray#181 both in mini's followed by the bullet proof Volvo#22 of Loris Mariotto. Bad luck for the popular driver Mick Bevan Torana#353 who lost an oil line and had a DNF. Sunday was hot and dry for race three over six laps. Johnson was home first followed by O'Brien (with another 5 second penalty) then it was Nokes, Toepfer, Matt Sullivan was on the move up to fifth, Lloyd Parry#289 Mustang Paul Tierney Torana, Hugh Zochling#73 Torana DNF's for the following Rice, Gray, and Meier. The last race for 2024 over 7 laps was a little depleted. Johnson again the winner from Rice who recovered from the previous DNF, Nokes third, Matt Sullivan showing that both he and the Torana had the pace to get up the front in forth then Tierney, Zochling, Paul Battersby was the first mini, 5 second penalties for Kim Shearn and Mick Bevan. That's it for 2024. Thanks to all the drivers, crew, members, and supporters of Group N plus the event organisers and track marshalls, recivery teams see you all back in 2025 for another great season.

Mark Walsh, Throttlejam Photography