7 September 2015
This year’s Muscle Car Masters held at Sydney Motorsport Park over the Father’s Day weekend again attracted large numbers of fans keen to see and hear the cars that dominated touring car racing in the 1960s through to the 1990s. As has been the practice in previous years, fans were able to get up close to check out the cars and meet the drivers on both days.
PAYCE was well represented, providing strong support across a number of categories, including Touring Car Masters and three Group N classes, which cater for cars ranging from Ford Mustangs and Holden Monaros to Mini Coopers of the ‘60s era.
Saturday’s racing was held in ideal conditions before rain developed overnight, bringing showers through Sunday, but not enough to deter fans and their families keen to make Father’s Day a special day.
The outstanding performance for PAYCE sponsored cars and drivers was that of David Wall’s in the ex-Ian ‘Pete’ Geoghegan Mustang. David scooped the pool with pole positions and runaway wins in all four Group Nc races, as well as setting a new lap record for the category.
John Bowe also thrilled the fans with a dominant display of driving in the Touring Car Masters races, taking his Torana SLR 5000 to wins in all three Touring Car Masters races and also setting a new lap record and putting him in contention for a shot at the championship. John also enjoyed success in the Group Nc races, bringing the ex-Bob Jane Monaro across the line for two 3rds and a 4th before being sidelined with a mechanical fault in the final race.
One car sporting PAYCE livery to attract heaps of attention over the weekend was john Bowe’s Mustang Sally, driven by former competitor and of late, TV commentator, Neil Crompton. Jumping into the seat for the first time, Neil acquitted himself well, chalking up a 4th and 3rd placing, before being involved in a racing incident and then pitting for a change of tyres that pushed him down the order to finish 15th in the final race.
PAYCE’s Managing Director, Brian Boyd, a long-time Australian motorsport supporter, was trackside to enjoy the weekend of racing and catch up with many friends in the sport.
“This is always an exciting and entertaining meeting. The cars are spectacular to watch, they sound fantastic and they provide close racing,” he said.
“The cars are always presented in immaculate condition and it’s a pleasure and privilege to be involved with the Muscle Car Masters event through our sponsorship of the three classes of Group N and our support of teams in the Touring Car Masters championship,” Brian Boyd said.
“Congratulations to everyone associated with the weekend of racing – the organisers, the drivers, the fans and the volunteers- all contributed to a great two days of racing and to giving us the opportunity to relive a wonderful era in Australian motorsport.”