The first All Historic Racing event was run by the Vintage Sports Car Club on January 25, 1976 at Amaroo Park in Sydney to celebrate the machines that forged the way for racing in Australia.

Three wheeled machines, covering sidecars and Morgan’s, joined the event in 1977 on the insistence of Terry Wright who was overseas when the first race meeting took place.

On the weekend of August 29 and 30 it celebrated its 50^th anniversary at Pheasant Wood Circuit, Marulan, with superb weather and even better company.

What has evolved over the last 50 years is an event that promotes racing and sports cars that are based on pre-1961 specs, and bikes and sidecars that are pre-1963 in their design. The racing is relaxed and respectful, the pits are filled with passion.

This year we were grateful to have a grid of six sidecars entered to start the weekend, with some of the usual suspects and some new contenders joining in on the fun. Vic Vassella and Warren Grubb were on the #08 1962 Norton Atlas, David Wain and Greg Ditchfield on a 1958 Triumph/ Arial T110 #43, Greg Freeman and Dylan Lamb on the #50 1960 Triumph T110, Jeff Brown and Darryl ‘Dags’ Raynar on a 1960 A10 BSA #15, Rod and Jem Anshaw on the #162 1962 Norton Atlas, and Mick Petith had entered the #333 1960 Triumph Thunderbird with Bryce Davies Jr on the side, but ended up handing the bars to Billy Freeman for the weekend.

All six machines did well in the first practice session on Saturday morning, which was topped by Rod and Jem, closely followed by Vic and Grubb, then David and Greg. Jeff and Dags set the fourth fastest time during their first outing on a period 3 outfit, followed by Greg and Dylan then Billy and BJ.

The first race was unfortunately not as smooth sailing, as the machines waited on the dummy grid the fuel pump went on the #162 outfit which saw them roll back to the pits and get to work changing it over. As the laps ticked off the #15 developed a rather unhealthy smoking habit that saw them retire early from the race and unfortunately they were also the first casualty for the event. Billy was still dealing with some shaking in the #333 but was feeling more comfortable with each session.

Five machines rolled out ready to go for the second race of the day and it made for an exciting event. Rod and Jem started rear of grid due to their DNF in the previous race and got to work quickly making their way around their opponents. After making their way to second in the first two laps, they spent three laps chasing Vic and Grubb but just couldn’t pick a safe line around the pair. After a last ditched push up the straight to the finish line, there was just .581 of a second between them at the chequered flag. Spectators loved the action and the two teams did as well.

Race three on Sunday morning was a handicap event, with the teams starting in reverse order from their finish the afternoon before. With an additional lap added the teams lined up for six laps starting off the dummy grid. It was action stations from the start with changes in the order happening quickly and often. By lap three it was Rod and Vic steering their machines at the front of the line, roles reversed from where they left off the day before. A moment from Rod allowed Vic the chance to get past around the bottom part of the circuit, but as the #162 came onto the straight there were signs something was not right. As Vic and Grubb took off into the lead, #162 lost power suddenly and managed a hasty switchback to exit the track. Vic and Grub got another win, with David ang Greg in second, and Greg and Dylan in third.

Race four lined up before lunch on Sunday and only four machines were still running. During this race it was Billy putting on a show, as he had been having some trouble getting the gear shift on the #333 machine and had some spectacular moments going in hot to turn one. Thankfully he was able to catch the bike and keep on keeping on, even sharing a fun moment alongside his dad Greg coming up to the chequered flag. Vic clocked his fourth win on the outfit he has only this year finished building, with David in second and Greg in third.

During the lunch break there was an awards presentation, acknowledging a number of people who were making good time and making the event possible. Vic was awarded the fasted lap for a sidecar, clocking a 1.12.746 in race 3 on Sunday morning. Mick Petith was awarded the Spirit of the All Historic Event for bikes, having purchased an outfit and allowing someone else to race it to help make the heathy starting grid for the weekend.

Many of the teams opted to pack up at lunch, with only David and Greg, and Billy on his dads outfit and Dylan on the side making their way back out for the final event. The two teams finished within a second of each other, Billy running just in front of David to finish out the weekend.

It is always good when a race meeting ends without major dramas and as disappointing as the mechanical issues are for the competition, it was still a fun weekend of racing for all involved.

Credit must go to the All Historic Racing team who are all volunteers, and to the Pheasant Wood Circuit team for making this event possible. Anyone with a historic machine is definitely encouraged to check this event out as it truly does capture the spirit of historic racing.

In the program there is a save the date, with the 2027 All Historic Racing Event scheduled for August 27, 28 and 29. No excuses, now you have a full year to get to work!

• Jem