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2014 Phillip Island Classic


This year’s Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motor Sport, held during March 7-9, marked the 25th anniversary of the event. To celebrate this milestone, the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) extended the circuit program to include a record 44 events during the weekend, resulting in up to 25 percent more car racing than in previous years.

Reflecting the festival’s significance as Australia’s most popular classic motor sport event, there were many valuable cars on display, including a beautiful Porsche 959 worth well over a million dollars. When it was launched it was one of the most technologically advanced cars on the planet, with features including the ability to substantially raise the cars ride height. This is an impressive feature on any car today, but even more so on one 30 years old!

Special thanks go to the staff at Dutton Garage, who were kind enough to drive the Porsche up and down the pit lane so I could photograph and film this feature in operation!

While the Porsche 959 was without a doubt one of the most valuable cars there, it wasn’t the rarest. On display at the Penrite stand was their stylish red 1963 AC ACE convertible. Not only is this car one of only 16 ever made, featuring the 2.6L Ford Zephyr engine, but it is the only one in the southern hemisphere. I agreed with the Penrite staff that the ACE is more beautiful than the later Cobra models, without flared guards its shape is purer and more elegant.

Another car which caught my eye, coincidentally also from 1963, was a Ford Thunderbird. The way the steering wheel can be rotated towards the center of the car for improved entry/exit is quite unique indeed!

Also present at Phillip Island was a lovely SAAB Sport. While I’d seen this car before, at last year’s Geelong Revival, this was the first time I was able to have a look under the bonnet. One thing which amazed me was how far back the radiator is mounted in the engine bay. It’s the first car where I’ve seen tennis balls stored in the top of the engine. I like what’s written on them too!

The Phillip Island Classic has been a short-listed finalist in the International Historic Motoring Awards for the past three years, competing against such prestigious events at the UK’s Goodwood Revival and Silverstone Classic, Belgium’s Spa Six Hour Historic Festival and the US’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca.

For more information regarding this and other car events, please follow VHRR’s Facebook page.

Stuart Kortekaas

About the author: Stuart Kortekaas

Stuart Kortekaas is an Australian industrial designer & photographer. Since completing a masters degree in Sweden he has travelled the world, photographing glamorous locations, exotic sports cars, and some of the world's most beautiful models. For more information, please visit www.stuartkortekaas.com.

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