ORGANISERS of this year's 47th Historic Winton race meeting, The Austin Seven Club and Historic Motorcycle Racing Association of Victoria, have given thecountrydriver.com 10 doubles to give away to this year's event.

​

Each double pass admits two spectators to the circuit on either the Saturday (May 25), or the Sunday (May 26) of the event.

​

Programs are on sale at the gate for $10.

​

The first 10 readers to email their name, postal address, and phone number to: starrdarryl@bigpond.com, will be mailed their double passes.

 

It is that simple. But, be early as tickets go fast. 

​

*  *  * 

​

ONE of a handful of talented and highly competitive female drivers at Historic Winton is 23-year-old Abby Wingett (above - photo Rachel Daniels), who will race a 1962 Elfin Formula Junior.

The software engineering student has been racing since she was 16, and proving her dedication to motorsport, Abby owns three race cars – two 1999 Hyundai Excels, and a 1971 Mini Cooper.

​

As well as building her experience in historic and Hyundai Excel races, she works on these cars herself plus her daily drive, a Holden Commodore VE Ute.

With a continual love of motorsport and how cars work, Abby’s enthusiasm and talent makes her one to watch at Historic Winton.

​

*  *  *

​

CONTRARY to a recent article in a motorcycle publication, Historic Winton organisers, the Austin 7 Club Inc, together with the HMRAV confirm that, there will be both car and motorcycle events at the 47th Historic Winton.

 

Despite the inaccurate magazine article, it is business as usual for Historic Winton as the appropriate permits from all relevant bodies have been received for the short course track.

​

A major display at this year's event is the 1914 Motorcycle Tourist Trophy Winner.

 
That year was a big one for the increasingly popular motorcycle in Australia, with two major races held for the first time, the 1914 Tourist Trophy in Goulburn, and the 1914 Moto GP near Bendigo.

Veteran motorcycles aged 100 and more will be on display at Historic Winton this year and the exciting news is that it’s been confirmed that the winner of the 1914 Tourist Trophy will be on display.

Anyone wishing to see this 1914 Indian Speedway Twin (above) can find it in the motorcycle pits in the competition paddock.

Owners of other veteran motorcycles who wish to display them at Historic Winton should email displays@historicwinton.org with name, phone number, make, year and model of the motorcycle.

 

The rider/owner will receive a free entry voucher.                                                                

​

*  *  * 

 

A FIELD of classic Ford Cortinas, one of Australia’s legendary cars, will race it out at 47th Historic Winton on Saturday, May 25.

The race is a collaboration between Historic Winton, the Historic Touring Car Association of Victoria (HTCV) and Cortina Mk 1 Owners Club.
 
Secretary of the HTCV Jim Collins said that the Mk1 Cortina has been one of the most popular cars racing in Historic Touring Cars since it was first released in 1963.

“How better to celebrate the 60 plus years of competition than to have a  “Cortina Challenge” feature race on the short track at the Historic Winton meeting where numerous drivers would have had their first experience of historic racing,” Collins said.

 

“The challenge is open to all Mk1 Cortina Group Nb and Nc class log booked competition vehicles.”

He said that after promoting the concept of the ‘Cortina Challenge’ to various Mk1 Cortina drivers, they think it is a great idea and they are all looking forward to the event and especially their own feature race.

“The Winton short circuit used for Historic Winton has always been considered ideal for the Cortina. The drivers will be checking that they will have the right diff ratio for their car, and that brakes are in excellent working order before the event,” Collins said.

Like the previous Mini Dash, Historic Winton introduced special ‘type-only’ races onto the program a couple of years ago.
 
Historic Winton race secretary, Peta Lee, said that Cortinas have always been uncompromising competitors in the Group N touring car races against all sorts of hard-top cars, big and small.
 
“Spectators enjoy seeing much beloved, former everyday vehicles race and it draws quite a crowd,” Lee said. 

“Cortinas were a small, family car that was Ford’s competitor to the Holden Torana.                                                                                                                                         
“In fact, there have been some edge-of-your-seat moments in the past in the Group N events, with Minis and Cortinas entering into close battle, so it will be interesting to see just how competitive Cortina against Cortina becomes.” (Pictured: Tino Leo heads the pack - Ian Smith)

 *    *    *
                                                                                                   

THE Austin 7 Club Inc, in association with HMRAV, has announced the anniversary displays for this year's 47th Historic Winton, which will be held on May 25/26 at Winton Motor Raceway, near Benalla, in North East Victoria.
 
This year’s event will showcase one of the biggest and most spectacular array of anniversary vehicles alongside the excitement of historic car, motorcycle, and sidecar racing.

The vehicle, company and club anniversaries being celebrated are:

120 years

Crossley Motors, Hispano Suiza, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Rover.
 
110 years

Dodge, Henderson Model C motorcycle.
 
100 years

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Bugatti Type 35, Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle, Chrysler Six, HRD Motorcycles, MG Supersport.
 
90 years

Austin 7 Nippy (Type EB), Austin 7 Ruby, Austin 7 Pearl, Austin 7 Opal, Austin 7 Open Road Tourer, Datsun in Australia, Douglas 494cc Endeavour motorcycle, Chrysler Airflow, Citroen Traction Avant, Ford Ute (Australia), Tatra 77.
 
70 years

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, Austin A40/A50 Cambridge, Ansair Flxible Clipper (Bus), Nash Metropolitan,
Mercedes 300 SL, Triumph Tiger 110 motorcycle.
 
60 years

Ford Mustang, Austin 1800, Plymouth Barracuda, Posche 911, Honda 600S, Honda CT trail motorbikes,
Sunbeam Tiger.
 
50 years

Citroen CX, Fiat 131, Lamborghini Countach, Volvo 164TE (Australian release).
                                                                                                                                                            
Club Anniversaries

Volkswagen Club of Victoria (70 years)
 
Celebrating 60+ years of Cortina in Australia - HTCAV, the Historic Touring Car Association of Victoria and Cortina Mk 1 Owners Club.
 
The Macedon Ranges and District Motor Club (40 years).

 

Austin 7 Club President Len Kerwood, said that the inaugural N Class Touring Car 'Tin Top' Regularity event was such a big hit in 2023 that it’s on the program again in 2024. 

 

“The Tin Tops (touring cars from pre-1958 to 1972) will be among 400 odd cars and motorbikes competing at Historic Winton,” Mr Kerwood said. 

 

“Vehicles from the beginning of motoring to the mid-1980s will grace the track.

​

“The Sunday Parade is another favourite ‘best of’ event with participating vehicles chosen from anniversary and car park displays.

​

“Motoring enthusiasts arrive in their historic vehicles, turning the car parks into magnificent showcases.”

​

He said enthusiasts dream of cruising around Winton Motor Raceway in the Sunday Parade and although the club gets requests ahead of the event, the participants were on the day, with invitees receiving an invitation placed under the windscreen wiper early in the morning.

​

“Participants will be selected based on the number of vehicles in an anniversary group, rarity and presentation,” he said.

 
Discounted online tickets and bookings for camping are available at:

www.ticketebo.com.au/historicwinton

For the latest Historic Winton news, visit www.historicwinton.org or on Facebook or Instagram @historicwinton.