Australian touring cars return to the island

Next weekend sees the return of some iconic Aussie Touring Car names and nameplates, though the drivers of these '70s and '80s cars are long since retired.

The Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport (March 13-15) will see combines Group C and Group A classics racing each other in a modern-day re-enactment of the halcyon days of touring cars in original livery, and even with the names still on the doors and windows.

Some of the entered cars include Brockie's 1978 HTD Torana A9X and the Mobil ex-JPS BMW M3, Alan Grice's two-door A9X, Bob Jane's orange Torana XU-1, Jim Richards's JPS 635i and E30 M3 BMWs, Mark Skaife's Nissan HR31, John Goss's 1985 Bathurst-winning Jaguar XJS V12 and another raced by Garry Wilmington, and the Win Percy/Neil Crompton Walkinshaw VL Commodore.

Two-times Australian Touring Car Champion Glenn Seton will drive a BMW E30 M3, and will compete against his old car, the Nissan Skyline HR31.

Other events through the motorsport tribute weekend include ex-Formula One cars from the '70s and '80s, Formula Fords, and a 12-lap production car feature race with over 50 entries.

More meeting details can be found HERE.