MEDIA
Cootha Classic
RACING AGAINST GREAT GRANDFATHER'S LEGEND
20 May 2009
Brisbane - At this month's one-off Cootha Classic motor race at Brisbane's iconic Mt Coot-tha on May 30-31, the grandson and great grandson of the 1919 race winner will be competing for victory and a lifetime of bragging rights.
Ninety years ago Victor Croston took class honours in his American 1917 Hupmobile (attached) without crash barriers, fire extinguishers or even a helmet.
Today, grandson Richard Croston of Petrie is preparing his Australian built 1959 Nota sports car (attached) to tackle the infamous event he heard about as a child. The car achieves performance from its light weight of only 500 kilograms and was driven by Spencer Martin in 1966 and 1967 to consecutive Gold Star Championships, then the pinacle of Australian motor racing competition.
Richard Croston said,
"Grandad thrilled us with his wild racing stories when we were kids, so I was really excited when I heard we would be lucky enough to continue the family legacy."
"Grandad was a motoring pioneer as the events director for the Automobile Club of Queensland before it became 'Royal'. I've still got his driving goggles, but I'm sure they wouldn't be safe enough now!"
Richard's son Damien also wants to put his name in the history books, but he is using in a more modern vehicle. Damien competes in the Sports Sedan Championship in an extreme Holden Gemini coupe (attached).
Damien said,
"It's hard to believe that a Gemini can be considered a classic car and there's not many original parts left, maybe just the roof and door sills. The engine has been replaced by a 2 litre Nissan powerplant."
"I'm very proud of what my great grandfather was able to achieve. In fact, the prize for winning the class back then was a set of arm chairs, which Dad still has at his place!"
EVENT BACKGROUND
The Cootha Classic will showcase over eighty years of automotive racing technology with 218 entries ranging from a 1921 Amilcar to a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10.
As part of Brisbane City Council's 150 years celebrations the Historic Racing Car Club of Queensland is re-creating one of Queensland's earliest recorded motorsport events, which was held in the same location on Mt Coot-tha in 1916. Historic racing cars and motorcycles will thunder up Mt Coot-tha's roads in a once in a lifetime event.
Competitors will race the clock as they individually sprint up and down a winding road over looking Brisbane's CBD. Entries include global marques from Datsun to Ferrari and Holden to BMW. As it was known then, One Tree Hill will have a 1.5km circuit along Sir Samuel Griffith Drive and JC Slaughter Falls for the pit
Event organiser Bill Westerman of the said,
"The original event was organised as a fundraiser for "poor and crippled children" and today we are pleased to provide Rotary and other community groups with the same opportunity."
"It's incredible value, where else can a family picnic at the Botanical Gardens, see live entertainment all day just minutes from their home and for less than a trip to the movies?"
Competitors include multiple Bathurst winner Jim Richards in his Porsche Turbo and South African world motorcycle champion Kork Ballington on a bike raced by Queensland racing legend Gregg Hansford.
Motorcyclists are calling their un-timed demonstration runs a salute to talented Queenslander Gregg Hansford, who tragically died in a racing incident at Phillip Island in 1995.
Road closures will allow spectators to enter from 3 points and roam the tree lined pits and circuit. Food and drink will be available for purchase, but no alcohol will be sold or allowed in the competition area. Parking will be limited so shuttle buses will be operating - see website for map and more details.
Admission for adults on Saturday or Sunday is $20. Weekend adult pass is $30. Concession $15 per day (only applies to Senior Card and Student Card Holders). Children under 14 years accomnpanied by an adult are FREE.
For more information contact:
Bill Westerman 0419 400 240 | media@coothaclassic.com.au
Media Release - 7 May 2009
RACING RETURNS TO MT COOT-THA (Download PDF)
