Watch historic Sports, touring and Racing Cars in Sydney
Watch classic Group A and Group C Touring Cars racing such as Ford Sierras, Walkingshaw Commodores and BMW M3.
Racing for open wheel Formula 2 and Formula 3 racing cars from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Racing events and regularity for Group N, S and supersprint classes.
Photos taken by Alex, Charlie and Paul D’Ambra.
Well you may be like me and a bit bored of the current state of ‘touring’ cars or even open wheel racing in Australia. I miss the days of seeing different marques, vehicle shapes or sizes with different sounds battling it out on track. The GT4 class in Australia is starting to get quite interesting as a motorsport category to watch.
With that in mind I took my nephews Charlie and Alex to their second HSRCA motorsport event in Sydney. They love seeing the mix of cars and enjoy watching the variety of vehicles battle it out on track, they can even spot most of the models even though they were made well before they were born.
So, together, we created this photo gallery as we wandered around the pits and to different sections of the race track.
What is the HSRCA?
The The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association of NSW (HSRCA) is one of Australia’s leading car clubs that holds racing events (at tracks like Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek and One Raceway circuit in Goulburn) that are specifically for historic racing, sports and touring cars.
The club celebrates the golden age of motor racing for vehicles that raced between 1960 and the late 1990’s. With multiple classes on track you get to see a mix of touring cars, sports cars and open wheelers in a mix of categories that are fully competitive racing through to super sprints or regularity classes.
Why visit a HSRCA event?
For motorsport fans it means you get to see some of the most iconic vehicles that have ever raced on Australian circuits. Most of the vehicles are the actual original cars that raced in period with their liveries in tact, it is like stepping back in time.
From the retro colour schemes of the 70’s to modern icons like the JPS livery used on BMW’s in touring cars – there is sure to be a vehicle or class that ignites the imagination.
Watch Group A and Group C Touring Cars compete on track in Australia
In Australia, Group C touring cars raced from 1973 until the end of 1984. These regulations were introduced by CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motor Sport) to unify the existing Series Production and Improved Production categories.
Group C allowed significant modifications to production-based cars, resulting in loud, aggressive, and highly distinctive vehicles like the Holden Torana A9X, Ford Falcon XC, and the Mazda RX-7.
This era is remembered fondly for its raw racing and the rise of legends such as Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and Allan Moffat.
In 1985, Group C was replaced by FIA’s international Group A regulations, marking the beginning of a new era that lasted until 1992. Group A cars were more restricted in terms of modifications, with an emphasis on homologated models, leading to the dominance of sophisticated, often turbocharged imports like the Ford Sierra RS500 and the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
While Group A brought international flair to Australian touring car racing, it also created a growing sense of imbalance among teams and fans. The format was ultimately scrapped in favour of a homegrown set of rules that laid the foundation for the modern V8 Supercars era which began in 1993 but is now a set ‘template’ style formula which has lost its production car roots.
What I enjoy most about Group C and Group A is the variety of vehicles that have some aero elements but their designs feel integrated, aggressive and purposeful that give this era of touring car their unique look and feel.
For the Sydney Classic event the field entered was quite small, the Summer Festival has a larger entry list most likely due to the warmer weather. For this event there was a diverse mix of vehicles which included examples such as;
1991 Mercedes Benz 190E from the DTM Championship
1977 Holden Torana A9X
1993 Holden Commodore VP
1991 Nissan Skyline GTR
1987 Holden Commodore VK
1986 BMW 325 in JPS livery
1978 Toyota Celica GT2000
1993 Holden Commodore VP SS
1982 BMW 625 CSI in JPS livery
1987 BMW M3 in Bensen and Hedges livery
1988 Ford Sierra RS500 in Caltex livery
Q & R sports & open wheel racing cars
In Australia, Q & R sports & racing refers to a historic racing classification for cars that fall under Groups Q and R, which are categories defined by Motorsport Australia (formerly CAMS) for historic open-wheel and sports racing cars.
Big wings, tall air boxes, huge rear tyres and lots of expososed engine or suspension parts is what visually dominates this class of racing. Unlike modern Formula 1 cars that hide every element from prying eyes or damaging the airflow, these cars are visceral engineering masterpieces.
Group Q – Racing Cars (1965–1971) –
Covers purpose-built open-wheel and sports racing cars from 1 January 1965 to 31 December 1971. This typically includes early Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Ford, and Sports Racers from this era. Cars may run with period-correct modifications and must conform to specifications from the time.
Group R – Racing Cars (Post-1971) –
RA – Racing cars up to 1977
RB – 1978–1983
RC – 1984–1990 (some classifications extend beyond, depending on vehicle type and class)
This encompasses later Formula 5000, Formula Atlantic, Formula Pacific, and Sports 2000 cars. It typically includes cars like RALT RT1, Lola T332, Chevron B60, and Elfin MR8 — commonly seen in Australian historic meetings.
In modern historic race meetings like those run by the HSRCA Q&R Sports & Racing is often used as a combined grid for cars from both Group Q and Group R. This allows a broader field and more competitive racing among a variety of cars with similar performance levels from the late ’60s to the late ’80s.
As you can see in the photos they are your classic open wheel racing car that are purpose-built for racing, not production-based cars, which often include ground-effect aero, slick tyres (within historic constraints) and high-powered engines including a few bellowing V8s.
This category is fast, noisy and doesn’t have driver aids, it is raw, analogue, open wheeler racing at its finest. Some if the vehicles entered at this event included;
- 1981 RALT RT4
- 1979 Lola T332 CanAm Spider NF-11
- 1973 Lola T330 F5000
- 1975 Modus M3
- 1974 Elfin MS7
- 1977 Elfin MR8
- 1979 March 793
- 1976 Modus M1
- 1980 Cheetah Mk 7
- 1977 Nola Chev
- 1977 RALT RT1
- 1982 Cheetah Mk 8 AF2
- 1982 Chevron B60
- 1977 Lola T560
- 1987 Richards 201B
- 1984 Kaditcha
Group N, Group S, Regularity and Super Sprint
The HSRCA run multiple competitive and semi competitive categories that give owners a choice of how they’d like to compete at the event. Group N & S are for those that want to race, while Regularity and Super Sprints are more focussed on setting lap times but not necessarily racing.
In Australia, Group N and Group S are two historic racing categories governed by Motorsport Australia (formerly CAMS), each focused on different types of production-based cars from distinct eras.
These groups are staples at historic race meetings and are popular for their relatability, strong grids, and nostalgic appeal. In fact after touring cars it is probably my next favourite category to watch due to its variety and relatable nature of the vehicles.
Group N
Group N is for production touring cars that were raced in Australia before the end of 1972. The cars must retain their original bodywork and maintain a strong visual and mechanical resemblance to how they raced in the period.
- Na – pre-1958
- Nb – 1958–1964
- Nc – 1965–1972 (most commonly seen today)
Typical cars that you will see include;
- Holden Torana GTR XU-1
- Ford Mustang and Falcon GT
- Mini Cooper S
- Valiant Charger
- Datsun 1600
- Alfa Romeo GTV
They are production-based cars with limited modifications suitable for making them great for racing. The racing style is door-to-door and highly competitive with an emphasis on historic authenticity, right down to paint schemes and badges.
Group S
Group S is for production sports cars built before the end of 1977. Unlike Group N, which is focused on sedans, Group S celebrates classic sports cars that were available to the general public and raced in production sports car events.
- Sa – pre-1961
- Sb – 1961–1969
- Sc – 1970–1977
Cars that you see on track will include;
- MGB, MG Midget
- Porsche 911 and 928
- Datsun 240Z/260Z
- Alfa Romeo Spider
- Triumph TR6
- Shelby GT350
These are also production-based but include lightweight sports cars and coupes. They are allowed period-correct safety and performance upgrades (e.g., roll cages, period brakes). Their light weight means they race hard, often with surprisingly close lap times to newer machinery.
Other motor racing classes you can watch
There are other categories that are included at these events including Formula Ford, Formula Vee and HQ Holdens as well as Groups L, M, O and P which had these vehicles competing;
- 1969 Rennmax BN-3
- 1968 Brabham BT21C
- 1962 Lotus 22 Formula Junior
- 1964 Neal Ford Special
- 1967 Elfin Monocoque
- 1971 Brabham BT 35
- 1960 Cooper T52 FJ
- 1965 Thompson Sport
- 1963 Rennmax BN1
- 1963 Brabham BT6 FJ
- 1966 Brabham BT 18
- 1960 Elfin Streamliner
Getting pit access to see historic racing cars
Attending an HSRCA (Historic Sports and Racing Car Association) event in Sydney is a brilliant experience for any motorsport enthusiast. These cars don’t have driver aids, traction control, or modern aerodynamics. It’s pure mechanical grip, driver skill, and horsepower. The racing is often more entertaining than modern categories less predictable, more character and no team orders or cheesy post race boring interviews.
HSRCA events are like stepping into a time machine as you get to see, hear, and feel decades of motorsport history come alive. From thunderous Group C touring cars to nimble Group S sports cars and fire-breathing formula sports cars, the diversity on track is staggering.
These aren’t museum pieces gathering dust and doing slow parade laps, they’re being driven hard, just as they were in their prime.
The event held at Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek), showcases iconic cars that raced in Australia’s golden era. Think Brock-era Holdens, Moffat Mustangs, and screaming open-wheelers from the Tasman Series. For anyone who grew up watching Bathurst, the Australian Grand Prix before it went to F1, or club racing in the ’70s to ’90s, it’s an unbeatable hit of nostalgia.
Unlike modern top-tier motorsport where fans are often kept at a distance or you have to pay a fortune to get pit access, HSRCA events are incredibly open. You can walk through the paddock, chat with the drivers and get up close to the cars.
It’s a grassroots, community-driven atmosphere, not a corporate circus. You don’t need a paddock pass or VIP lanyard to see real motorsport up close.
Taking photos at Sydney Motorsport Park event
For motorsport photographers, it’s paradise. The variety of vehicles, lack of excessive barriers and golden-hour light at Sydney Motorsport Park make it perfect for capturing dramatic racing shots.
This is also a race track that has easy access either side of the track and all the way around it as well. You can move around by foot but it is easier to drive your vehicle along the various access roads.
At this type of event you are no not fighting through crowds or being restricted to grandstands you can often roam freely, that is why I love taking my nephews to this event so they can practice taking photos in a stress free environment.
In most locations around the track it does not have high catch fencing, so in most positions you are slightly elevated from the track and far enough from any danger to take photos in comfort, although a zoom lens of up to 200mm is ideal.
1. Turn 1 – The Fast Sweep
Cars enter at full tilt, flat out in top gear ideal as they come down the straight which is great for capturing high speed blur and aggressive flowing turn-in shots.
2. Turn 2 and 3 – the hairpin
This is a heavy braking zone, good chance for overtakes and close racing. You will be able to take photos of drivers wrestling with the wheel, trail-braking, diving under braking with easy to shoot locations all the way along the fence from turn 2 to turn 3. Close-ups of driver concentration, tyre smoke lockups and cars leaning in or out of corners are all possible here.
3. Near Corporate Hill from turn 4 to 6
Either from the inside of the track or on the outside you can get great views with multiple corners in one frame or specific corner action shots. Turn 6 is another heavy braking area, so lots of opportunities here if the racing is close.
4. Turn 16,17,18 and onto the main straight
Cars get light here as they crest, then set up for braking before driving through the long, long final corner onto the main straight. Cars will take different lines, you’ll see lots of body roll and if you have a zoom lens, you can get into the cabin to see hands, faces & lots of concentration.
6. Paddock and garages
Intimate access to mechanics with cars being worked on and candid driver shots are available in this huge open space.Raw, gritty its perfect for storytelling photos from an event.
Tips for shooting at SMSP (without media accreditation)
- Bring a long lens (at least 200–400mm) for shooting from a distance from the fences in most places.
- Wear comfy shoes as you can be doing a lot of walking.
- Most turns have spots that you can easily walk to and don’t have tall fencing.
- You can get to locations on the inside and outside of the track at nearly all the turns if you drive along the access paths.
