In 1956, Melbourne was put firmly on the international motor racing map with the staging of the Australian Grand Prix.
This event in the Olympic year attracted the first truly international field to line up alongside the best Australian drivers.
Run over two weekends in November and December, the meeting was dominated by Stirling Moss who raced works Maseratis to resounding victories in both Grand Prix and Sport Car events.
The Grand Prix field included Jean Behra, Reg Parnell, Peter Whitehead and Ken Wharton pitched against Lex Davison, Reg Hunt, Stan Jones and Doug Whiteford with Jack Brabham, Bib Stillwell, Bill Pitt, David McKay, Alec Mildren, Tom Sulman, Ron Phillips, Ross Jenson and many other household names contesting the sports car class.
Headed by Maserati 250F and 300S models, the field included the best of Ferrari, Jaguar, Lago Talbot, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, Cooper Bristol and a number of important local specials – the Tornado and Decca Special among them.
Interest has been expressed in staging a re-enactment of the 1956 meeting at the Australian Grand Prix in 2006 most likely as a high-speed demonstration event with a combined Grand Prix and Sports car field of some 40 plus cars. The Australian Grand Prix Board has given an “in principal” approval and the concept was announced at the Tattersals Historic Garage dinner at Albert Park prior to the recent AGP, resulting in a number of important cars being committed for 2006.
Sir Stirling Moss indicated his willingness to be involved.
Every effort will be made to feature cars which actually ran in the original event 50 years ago, and to honour those drivers who are still with us.
The staging of such an event would focus on creating a paddock atmosphere, which reflects the glory days of straw bales, white overalls and a carefree way of life.
As the owner of a car which ran at the 1956 meeting (Austin Healey 100S), I have offered to co-ordinate the proposed re-enactment.
To express your interest, either as the owner of an original car or a suitable substitute, or as an interested party, please contact me. Details below.
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If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman………

He was being cross-examined by a defence attorney during a felony trial.
The lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman’s credibility……..

Q: Officer, did you see my client fleeing the scene?
A: No sir, but I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender running several 
     blocks away.
Q: Officer, who provided the description?
A: The officer who responded to the scene.
Q: A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers.
A: Yes sir, with my life.
Q: With your life? Let me ask you this then officer, do you have a locker room in the police station, a room
     where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?
A: Yes sir, we do.
Q: And do you have a locker in that room?
A: Yes sir, I do.
Q: And do you have a lock on your locker?
A: Yes sir.
Q: Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, that you find it necessary to lock
     your locker in a room you share with those officers?
A: You see sir, we share the building with a court complex, and sometimes defence attorneys have been
     known to walk through that room.

The courtroom erupted in laughter, and a prompt recess was called.
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PRIVATE PRACTICE (Important Notice) Members of Hobart Sporting Car Club enjoy a benefit in regard to track hire with Motor Sports Tasmania.  As a member of HSCC you are able to use Baskerville or Symmons Plains Motor Racing Circuits for private practice at the rate of $55 each visit.  Normal hire rate is $99. There are some rules that all users must follow: •    Baskerville is not to be used prior to 9:00 AM any day •    All users MUST vacate the circuit by 5:00 PM •    Vehicles must be in good mechanical condition •    Safety helmets must be worn. •    Cars and bikes must not be on circuit at same time. •    All users must complete an indemnity form Failure to follow the rules of use will incur penalties.  Before travelling to Baskerville or Symmons Plains it is recommended that you contact the caretaker as the track may be exclusively booked out to other users. CARETAKERS Baskerville:        Dave Wells        6249 2071 Symmons Plains       Barry Watts       6398 2952

TRACK AVAILABILITY SYMMONS PLAINS & BASKERVILLE RACEWAYS Track hire is now being handled by Dick Caplice:-      (03) 6231 3536                                                                                           0418 140 001                                                                                        dickcaplice@bigpond.com

To competitors as addressed                                                                                                                     21 May 2005

Hobart Sporting Car Club is conducting the second round of the Boss of Baskerville Series on Sunday 19th June 2005. As in the previous meetings prize money will be paid to competitors in the various classes based on performances during the meeting.
Supplementary Regulations and an entry form are enclosed.
The event will as usual include State Championship races for the various classes of competition.
As is our usual practice all competitors from a particular class will run in the same events. We will if numbers require it combine classes.
Fees for general circuit racing and regularity competitors have been maintained at the same level and you might be interested to know that the club made a small profit from the last meeting which is pleasing considering that for the first time in many years, Prizemoney was paid to a number of competitors.
To reward early bird entries the committee of Hobart Sporting Car Club has again resolved to refund one of the entry fees lodged and paid up to 14 June. (This aids us in preparing entry lists and programs etc).
All eligible entries received prior to last mail on 14th June will be placed in a draw which will take place during driver's briefing (8:45 on Sunday Morning!).
The draw was overlooked during the rush on the morning of the last meeting and was conducted after the event. Anthony Frost was the lucky entrant and now has the option of a free entry for this meeting or refund of his $140 entry fee.
Hobart Sporting Car Club is committed to encouraging new entrants into motor sport. Accordingly we have maintained the entry fee for regularity competitors at $70. Regularity provides an ideal opportunity for motor sport competitors to mix it with a number of fellow
enthusiasts and get a taste, possibly as a prelude to more serious motor racing. Please tell your mates. particularly if they run at club days.
I am able to give you an update in regard to our discussions with the key people associated with Aussie Cars and it is looking more and more definite that Hobart Sporting Car Club will be conducting a round of the Aussie Car National Series during May next year at Baskerville Motor Racing Circuit. We have been advised that there may be Aussie Cars available for lease during that weekend. You might have to get in early!
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting on June 19th.

Ray Williams
President
Hobart Sporting Car Club

Enquiries to Race Secretary, Jennifer Beard 0427 623 273


 
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