Group U Historic Sports Sedans at Mallala Easter Historics

[Topgear]

I went to the SA Historic Racing general meeting tonight and they are excited to run a category for Historic Sports Sedans!
We had a very productive meeting and even surprised myself at the level of interest.
I had two people at the meeting ask me to find them cars for the event!

These are a few points that we discussed and came up with,

- It is limited to 24cars

- Historic log books are not required, infact no log books are required at this stage (will explain later)
(to try and promote the category were not pushing for log booked vehicles, we have a preference for vehicles up to 1986 to keep within the guidelines of the GroupU rules)

- The events will be run as "spirited demonstrations" and will only require a 2LS license.
(If it was run as a "race" we can only except log booked vehicles. As it is a historic event and correct log booked vehicles will be hard to find, we can accept many more vehicles as a "spirited demonstration" and basically compete in a similar fashion. Cars will be sent out of pit lane from fastest to slowest, form up on the out lap behind the pace car "hopefully Clem Smiths Charger Sports Sedan". The pace car will pull off coming onto the front straight, then we are released to circulate!)

Obviously in years to come we would like to make it for log booked GroupU cars, but lets get some cars on the track and get the interest going.

[Topgear]

Here is a list of people who have expressed interest,

1- Simon Pfitzner, Datsun Stanza (Ex- Barry Bray)
2- Barry Bray, Nissan Gazelle
3- Damien Johnson, LJ Torana
4- Nathan Mills, Ford Escort (Ex- Mic Monteroso)
5- Dick Ward, Fiat Abarth
6- Graham Boulter, FJ Holden
7- 105angria, 6cyl Triumph powered Anglia
8- Steve Rooke, 64 Mini Cooper
9- Mark Trenoweth, XJS Jag (Ex- John McCormick)
10- Alistair, Datsun 1000



Some other cars that I am aware of but havent heard back from yet-
- Anglia
- Anglia
- FJ/FX Sports Sedan
- EH Holden
- Hillman Imp (V8)

[bry3500]

Thats GREAT news Topgear , well done - I will be making the trip for a look

[Steve Holmes]

Exciting news, best of luck with this Simon, I think you're at the start of something big.

Re the Mic Monterosso Escort, I know both Mic and Cos raced Escort Sports Sedans, one being a MkI and the other the V8 MkII with the RS2000 nose. Which one was Mic's?

[Steve Holmes]

Simon, you should look to see if you can get the Fiat 500 from this thread along to your event. It precedes Sports Sedans, and probably even Sports Racing Closed, but is the type of vehicle that gave rise to the popularity of Sports Sedans. Just having it on display would be cool!

[Topgear]

Hi Steve, the MK2 Escort was Mics...
All the people on the top list I have spoken to and have said they would come to the event,
(Ive even got interest from people with cars that are post 1986...? But am trying to see if we can fill the grid with historic type cars?)

I have spoken to Dick and he is very keen to come!
Hes trying to work out how best to get the car over from Perth,
He is bringing over his open wheeler car anyway, but now wants to bring the Fiat as well, but its a bit hard to fit 2 cars on 1 trailer!?

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Simon. Good to hear the Monterosso Escort is still about. Boy that was a fast car! I remember reading a brief section in a magazine from years ago when Mark Skaife was just getting his big break in Group A touring car racing. The Sports Sedans were running at the same event as Group A, and Skaife was hanging over the pit wall every time Monterosso came thundering down the straight in the Escort. "Here he comes!", he'd say, just like a kid! Gotta love the Sports Sedans.

Great to hear you've spoken with Dick about the Fiat. Even if he just had the car there on display, it'd be great to create that tie-in on where Sports Sedans roots began. Hope he can sort the logistics.

And my thoughts would be to stick to your 1986 cut-off date. For those considering bringing their cars out, they'll be more encouraged if they see you stick to your original date.

[Topgear]

I spoke with Mark Trenoweth today and he has expressed interst in being at the event,
Would be great to see the Jag running again!

[Topgear]

I have a friend who is looking for a charger sports sedan, if anyone knows of one available please let me know...

[Gary Goulding]

I spoke with Mark Trenoweth today and he has expressed interst in being at the event,
Would be great to see the Jag running again!

Mark doe use the jag quite regularly in Qld at Hillclimbs & at the Morgan park Historics.
We all competed 2 week-ends ago at the Morgan park Historic meet.
Mark ended up fast of all the Group A / C & the three (3) Group U cars.
He did have some oil problems in Qualifying which made it interesting with me having the big Jag behind my little Ford Escort (Pinto).
I hope he makes the trip down for you.

[Topgear]

Thanks Garry,
Are you interested in bringing the Escort down for the event...?

[Steve Holmes]

Any chance we can see some photos of these cars?

[105angria]

Always happy to post a pic Ex Eric Jordan ,under 2ltr, Standard Triumph powered 105e Anglia raced from 1975 t0 1983 Calder Sandown AIR , Heathcote Hume Weir.then parked out in the open and left ,found on ebay 2yr restoration

[bry3500]

Mark Trenoweth Jaguar

[bry3500]

Dick Ward Fiat Abarth

[bry3500]

Barry Bray Gazelle

[bry3500]

Damian Johnson Torana

[Rookie]

Here's mine again. First logged booked as a sports sedan in 73, and used until 91.

[Topgear]

[Topgear]

Just a teaser...