2012 Australian F1 Grand Prix To Host Touring
Car Revival
The classics are coming to next year's
Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, with news that the
Australian Touring Car heroes of decades past will
feature in a support category for the big race.
Around 40 of the original Group C and Group A Touring
Cars from the 70s, 80s and 90s will hit the track,
including Holdens, Fords, Jaguars, Nissans and Volvos.
Dubbed the Touring Car Revival Series, the championship
will star a number of the ATCC's 'golden era' heroes,
with some driving and others officiating.
Racing legend Jim Richards has been appointed ambassador
for the Touring Car Revival series, with Shannons
Insurance as the main title sponsor.
“This is a celebration of an era that was an important
part of my life,” the four-time Australian Touring Car
Champion said.
“I drove Toranas, Commodores, an XB Falcon, BMWs and
Nissans and the variety of makes and models created
fantastic racing for both drivers and spectators."
“I am currently restoring the first Group A BMW M3 that
I raced in the 1980s and I’ll be competing in the
Revival at the Grand Prix, either in my own car if it is
finished in time, or another car from that era.”
Entrants will need to 'pre-qualify' for the Grand Prix
support races by competing in the 2011-2012 Touring Car
Revival series events at Sandown and Phillip Island,
overseen by the Victorian Historic Racing Register.
VHRR President Ian Tate was the Holden Dealer Team's
chief mechanic in the 70s, and is expecting the series
to be a major attraction at the GP.
“We know from experience at Phillip Island and Sandown
that the food stalls and coffee booths empty when these
touring cars take to the track,” Tate said.
“They are exciting vehicles that raced within the living
memory of many fans and the variety of makes and models
provides an exciting spectacle.”
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