Phillip Island Classic

[wulos]

I was looking for things to do last weekend of feb - 1st week of march down in dark damp melbourne town, & found out that the following is on. I'm interested(well to a certain degree) but have no idea on whats involved in getting out to Phillip Island, & being a big bugger more then a little scared the whaling fleets may get me if I decide to swim. Anyone got any idea as to whats involved with gettin to phillip island? costs? times? where to depart from etc???
Apologies about the long post beneath(I could not post the url - password protected site)
The largest field of historic racing, sports and touring cars ever assembled in Australia is heading to Phillip Island on February 25-27 for the annual Shannons Phillip Island Classic historic races supported by Tourism Victoria.
More than 450 vehicles including modern Formula One cars from the 1980s, will compete at the meeting, while a further 100 classic vehicles in the Shannons Classic Cavalcade will parade on the circuit during lunchtime Sunday.
Even Friday is shaping up as an historic blockbuster, with a record 300 cars registered for untimed practice!
Spearheading the field will be four famous Formula One cars from the 1980s, ‘70s and ‘60s.
From the 1980s comes the screaming 1.5 litre turbocharged Ferrari Tipo 156/85 in which Michele Alboreto finished runner-up to Alain Prost in the 1985 World Championship.
It will be lined up on the grid of the 4.45km Grand Prix circuit against the ex-Alan Jones Beatrice Lola - the first F1 car to take to the circuit at the 1985 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.
The Beatrice Lola will be making its first Australian race appearance since the Adelaide street race, in which Jones retired it on lap 6.
British enthusiast John Blandon is bringing his 1971 Surtees TS9B Cosworth originally raced by both John Surtees and Mike Hailwood, while America’s Louis Sellyei is airfreighting his 1964 Gurney Eagle Climax to the meeting.
Five thundering Formula 5000s are also entered, including a pair of Lolas in the hands of a British husband and wife racers, Frank and Judy Lyons.
Other fabulous racing cars coming to the ‘Island include the ex-Raymond Mays 1934 ERA R1A, the famous Whitney Straight Maserati 8C, a straight six 4.5 litre Lago Talbot identical to the car that Victoria’s Doug Whiteford drove to successive victories in the 1952 and 1953 Australian Grands Prix and the spectacular 4.5 litre Jim Robbins Special that raced at Indianapolis from 1954-’56
World-class sports cars include two genuine Ford GT40s, a rare ex-Bruce McLaren 1965 McLaren M1a, at least eight British Allards, an ex-Ecurie Ecosse Lister Jaguar, the ex-Bill Pitt D Type Jaguar and the pretty Maserati A6GCS, that inspired Melbourne’s Paul England to build his highly successful Ausca sports car.
The huge entry has ensured capacity grids and even reserve lists in most categories, with 40 post-1970 P, Q & R racing and sports cars and 50-car grids for both Group SA/Group L and SB/SC Marque Sports Cars races.
Entry costs $15 Saturday, $25 Sunday, with weekend tickets $35.
More details can be found by visiting www.vhrr.com

[hawke]

I know its a bit late to reply, but it was good. It's not often you can get access to a dummy grid with a couple of F1's and Le Mans cars and help some of the guys get those cars ready for starting.

The sight, smell and sound of the old turbo F1's down the straight was frightning. Dont forget that some of these 20-30 year old cars are lapping faster than the current guys in thier V8 "supercars".