OldRacingCars.com

Repco Birthday Series

Calder, 3 Dec 1972

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Frank Matich Matich A50 [001 as '002'] - Repco Holden V8
#1 Frank Matich Racing (see note 1)
30 20m 22.2s
2 Johnnie Walker Matich A50 [004] - Repco Holden V8
#25 5AD/City State Racing Team (see note 2)
30 20m 39.5s
3 Kevin Bartlett Lola T300 [HU16] - Chevrolet V8
#5 Chesterfield Racing (see note 3)
30 20m 40.4s
4 Warwick Brown McLaren M10B [400-19-2] - Chevrolet V8
#10 Pat Burke Racing (see note 4)
30
5 John McCormack Elfin MR5 [5711] - Repco Holden V8
#3 Team Elfin (see note 5)

6 Garrie Cooper Elfin MR5 [5723] - Repco Holden V8
#2 Team Elfin (see note 6)

7 Max Stewart Elfin MR5 [5722] - Repco Holden V8
#6 Seiko Service Centre (see note 7)

8 Tony Stewart (ANF2) 1.6-litre Dolphin 722 ['1'] - Ford twin cam
#21

9 Leo Geoghegan (ANF2) 1.6-litre Birrana 272 [272-002] - Ford twin cam
#51 5AD/City State Racing Team

10 Michael Stillwell (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 622 [72420] - Ford twin cam
#36 B S Stillwell Ford

11 Alfredo Costanzo (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin Mono Mk IID [MD6756] - Ford twin cam
#11 Costanzo Motors

12 Bruce Allison (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 600D [7012] - Ford twin cam
#62 Hobby & Toyland Racing

R Bob Muir Lola T300 [HU4-2] - Chevrolet V8
#7 Robert Muir Motors (see note 8)
22 Sticking throttle
R Ken Hastings (ANF2) 1.6-litre McLaren M4A [M4A/1] - Ford twin cam
#13 (see note 9)
18 Lost throttle fulcrum pin
R Chas Talbot (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 600B [7124] - Ford twin cam
#20
4
UNK Ian Lees (ANF2) 1.6-litre Brabham BT23 - Ford twin cam
#19 (see note 10)

DNSF Clive Millis (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 600B [7019] - Ford twin cam
#14
Did not start final
DNA TBA (ANF2) 1.6-litre Rennmax BN3 - Ford twin cam
#9 Robert Muir Motors
Did not arrive
DNA Denis Lupton (ANF2) 1.6-litre Brabham BT36 ["BT30-27"] - Ford twin cam
#15 Auto Corse (see note 11)
Did not arrive
DNA Tony Maw (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 600 [6801] - Ford twin cam
#16
Did not arrive
DNA Chris Milton (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 622 [72420] - Ford twin cam
#32 Team Elfin
Did not arrive
DNA Gary Campbell Lola T300 [HU1-2] - Chevrolet V8
#4 Provincial Motors (see note 12)
Did not arrive
DNA Stan Keen Elfin MR5 [5724] - Ford V8
#8 Stan Keen Motors (see note 13)
Did not arrive
DNA John Harvey Jane P8 (Bowin) [P8-118-72] - Repco Holden V8
#76 Bob Jane Racing (see note 14)
Did not arrive

All cars are 5-litre F5000 unless noted.

Heat 1 Laps Time Speed
1Tony Stewart1007m 40.7s
2Leo Geoghegan1007m 42.0s
3Alfredo Costanzo1007m 47.1s
4Michael Stillwell10
5Ken Hastings10
6Bruce Allison10
7Chas Talbot
8Ian Lees
Clive Millis2Broken rear suspension bolt
Heat 2 Laps Time Speed
1Frank Matich1006m 57.0s
2Kevin Bartlett1007m 01.0s
3John McCormack1007m 02.2s
4Warwick Brown10
5Garrie Cooper
6Max Stewart
7Bob Muir
Johnnie Walker5Broken driveshaft
Qualifying
1 Frank Matich (F5000) 5-litre Matich A50 [001 as '002'] - Repco Holden V8
2 Kevin Bartlett (F5000) 5-litre Lola T300 [HU16] - Chevrolet V8
3 John McCormack (F5000) 5-litre Elfin MR5 [5711] - Repco Holden V8
4 Warwick Brown (F5000) 5-litre McLaren M10B [400-19-2] - Chevrolet V8
5 Garrie Cooper (F5000) 5-litre Elfin MR5 [5723] - Repco Holden V8
6 Max Stewart (F5000) 5-litre Elfin MR5 [5722] - Repco Holden V8
7 Bob Muir (F5000) 5-litre Lola T300 [HU4-2] - Chevrolet V8
8 Johnnie Walker (F5000) 5-litre Matich A50 [004] - Repco Holden V8
9 Tony Stewart (ANF2) 1.6-litre Dolphin 722 ['1'] - Ford twin cam
10 Leo Geoghegan (ANF2) 1.6-litre Birrana 272 [272-002] - Ford twin cam
11 Alfredo Costanzo (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin Mono Mk IID [MD6756] - Ford twin cam
12 Michael Stillwell (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 622 [72420] - Ford twin cam
13 Ken Hastings (ANF2) 1.6-litre McLaren M4A [M4A/1] - Ford twin cam
14 Bruce Allison (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 600D [7012] - Ford twin cam
15 Chas Talbot (ANF2) 1.6-litre Elfin 600B [7124] - Ford twin cam
16 Ian Lees (ANF2) 1.6-litre Brabham BT23 - Ford twin cam

Notes on the cars:

  1. Matich A50 [001 as '002'] (Frank Matich): New for Frank Matich to win the 1971 Australian GP, then raced in the New Zealand Tasman rounds before being renumbered '002' for the Australian Internationals. Matich won the 1972 Australian Gold Star in this car, and raced it in the 1973 Tasman series. Then to Barry Lewis in 1975 - Peter Roach 1976 - Dave Powell 1976 - John Briggs 1978 and damaged at a hillclimb. Via K & A Engineering to Gavin Sala 1984 or 1985, then to his son Bryan Sala. More information about Matich A50-001/002
  2. Matich A50 [004] (Johnnie Walker): Bought by Johnny Walker, and fitted with the engine and transmission from his Elfin MR5. Raced by Walker in the 1972 Australian Gold Star, 1973 Australian Internationals, then to America for four races in the US series. To Jon Davison for the 1974 Australian Gold Star and 1975 Australian Internationals 1975 Australian Gold Star, 1976 Australian Internationals, 1976 Australian Gold Star, and 1977 Australian Internationals. To Bronwyn Taylor 1977 and raced in 1978 and 1979 - Geoff Munyard 1980 - leased to Kevin Leighton 1982 - Graham Stoll - Peter Brennan (Melbourne, Australia) - Ziggy Schueller 1990 - Ken Smith (NZ) 1992 or 1993 - James Boult (NZ) 1996 - Russell Greer (NZ) 1996 - Richard Bendell (Australia) 2001 - Aaron Lewis (Cessnock, NSW, Australia) 2004 - Philip Lewis 2013.
  3. Lola T300 [HU16] (Kevin Bartlett): New to Kevin Bartlett and raced in 1972 Australian Gold Star and 1973 Tasman. Sold to Reg Cook (NZ) 1973, but later burnt out in a trailer fire. Some remains later from Reg Cook to David Manton (NZ) and used in reconstruction of T300 HU3. More information about Lola T300 HU16
  4. McLaren M10B [400-19-2] (Warwick Brown): A spare chassis supplied to Niel Allen. Built up and sold to Allan Hamilton for Australian Gold Star 1971, then to Pat Burke Racing for Warwick Brown in 1972 Tasman series and in 1972 Australian Gold Star. Raced by Bob Muir at a couple of 1973 Tasman races, then for Warwick Brown again in the 1973 Gold Star. Suspension and other parts used for Bryan Thomson's VW Sports Sedan in 1974, but the McLaren tub built up again, and sold via Peter Bick, Paul Trevethan and George Parlby to Llynden Riethmuller. Acquired from Riethmuller's family after his death by Alan Hamilton in 2011. Raced by Alfredo Costanzo in historic events in 2013, 2015, and 2016. To Giuseppe 'Joe' Ricciardo by 2016. More information about McLaren M10B 400-19
  5. Elfin MR5 [5711] (John McCormack): New to John McCormack in September 1971, and raced in Australian Gold Star, taking two second places and a win from three races. Raced by McCormack in the 1972 Tasman series, and the 1972 Australian Gold Star, where he won one race. Then raced in the 1973 Tasman series, where he won the NZ GP and the Adelaide '100', and in the 1973 Australian Gold Star, when he won two races and the championship. Raced again in the 1974 Tasman, again winning the NZ GP. Raced by Phil Moore in the 1974 Gold Star. Sold to Glen Nichols December 1975, and entered for the Rothmans Internationals, but did not start a race. History then unknown until bought from Les Swallow by Gavin Sala, and sold to John McCormack for restoration some time before 1992.
  6. Elfin MR5 [5723] (Garrie Cooper): Works Elfin Sports Cars entry for Garrie Cooper in the 1972 Tasman and Australian Gold Star, the 1973 Tasman and Australian Gold Star, the 1974 Tasman and Australian Gold Star, and the 1975 Tasman and Australian Gold Star. Rebuilt in August 1975 as the MR5-B. Sold to John Edmonds for the last race of the Australian Gold Star, then the 1976 New Zealand and Australian Internationals, the 1976 national season, and the 1977 Australian Internationals. Then to Phil Ward 1977, and then with Mike Pope from 1980 to 1986. History then unknown until bought from Geoff Munday by Gavin Sala. Sold by Sala to Ken Smith in Nnew Zealand, and reportedly with Barrie Flett in 1994. The car is said to have spent time in a museum in NZ, before being bought by Smith again, and sold back to Geoff Munday some time before 2014.
  7. Elfin MR5 [5722] (Max Stewart): New to Max Stewart in time for the start of the 1972 Tasman series. Also raced by Stewart in the 1972 Australian Gold Star. Entered by Stewart for John Leffler in a few raced in October/November 1973. Then sold to Baron Robertson and raced in the Tasman series in 1974 and 1975, and in the New Zealand and Australian Internationals in 1976. History then unknown until bought from David Davidson (Melbourne) by Gavin Sala. By 1994, this car was with Adrian Tweedle (Victoria). Subsequent history again unknown, but reported to be with Max Pearson by 2012.
  8. Lola T300 [HU4-2] (Bob Muir): New to Niel Allen but crashed in testing. Rebuilt and sold to Bob Muir for 1972, then to Pat Burke Racing for Warwick Brown in 1973, and written off at Surfers Paradise. Some parts of this car to Reg Cook, then to David Manton, then to Frank Lyons. More information about Lola T300 HU4
  9. McLaren M4A [M4A/1] (Ken Hastings): Entered by Bruce McLaren Motor Racing for Bruce McLaren in F2 in 1967. Sold to Jim Palmer (NZ) 1968, then to Tony Osborne's Argo Racing in Australia July 1968, driven by Peter Macrow in 1968 and then Alfredo Costanzo from 1968 to 1971. To Ken Hastings mid-1971, who swapped the FVA for a Ford twin-cam for 1972, and the to John Sheppard August 1973. Fitted with a 1300cc Toyota Corolla engine by Geoff Kennett 1974. Later Tony Armstrong (Victoria, Australia) in November 1982 and rebuilt around 1985. At Christie's Melbourne auction 1990 where it was sold to Art Valdez (Torrance, CA). It remained in Valdez' collection for many years, until sold to a UK consortium in 2017.
  10. Brabham BT23 (Ian Lees): Ian Lees acquired a Brabham BT23C frame that had been in BT23C/5 when Vic Elford crashed it at Monza in June 1968, and took it back to his native Australia. He built the car up at some point, but it was rarely seen in front line Australian races. Subsequent history unknown, but rumoured to be nearing the completion of a restoration in 2008.
  11. Brabham BT36 ["BT30-27"] (Denis Lupton): Built for Bob Jane to BT36 specification intended for the new Jane 2-litre engine and shipped to Australia in April 1971. Due to delays with the engine, the car was finally built up with a 2-litre Waggott TC/4V engine and FT200 gearbox, and was debuted at the Australian Grand Prix meeting in November 1971 where it was driven by John Harvey. Replaced in 1972 by the team's new Bowin-based F5000 car, and sold to Denis Lupton who converted it to ANF2 specification for Ian Cook to drive. The car was wrecked in the accident which killed Cook at Sandown in June 1973, and was rebuilt by Lupton on a new chassis fabricated by Bob Britton. Later said to be owned by Peter Whelan and then with Peter Johnson (Sydney, NSW, Australia) by 2006. Offered by sale by Johnson in August 2009 when said to be undergoing full restoration with a Waggott engine. With Bruce Hamilton of (Monkton, MD) in 2010.
  12. Lola T300 [HU1-2] (Gary Campbell): New for Frank Gardner late UK 1971 season, then to Australia but crashed in practice for the Australian GP and the 1972 Tasman series. Sold to Gary Campbell for the end of the Tasman series, then the 1972 Australian Gold Star series. Traded to Carl Haas for a new Lola T330, and sold on to Mike Brockman in Florida for the 1973 US championship. Not seen in 1974. Subsequent history unknown. More information about Lola T300 HU1
  13. Elfin MR5 [5724] (Stan Keen): New to John Walker 1972, but he quickly replaced it with a Matich A50. Sold to Stan Keen and fitted with a Ford V8 later in the 1972 season, but not raced after October 1973. Sold to Peter "Chris" Middleton 1977, and raced in the 1978 Australian Internationals, and in the 1978 and 1979 Australian national seasons. Sold to Tony Parkinson 1979, then to Mike Adams 1981. It was then rebodied by Elfin, renamed 815, and raced by Mike Trengove and by Adams in 1981 and 1982. Sold to Paul Trevethan, then to Peter Brennan (Melbourne, Victoria) in the mid-1980s who restored it to original specification, and fitted a flat plane crank Repco Holden engine. To David Doubtfire in 1991, then to Max Floreani in 1996, and raced by Tony Floreani in historics up to 2013.
  14. Jane P8 (Bowin) [P8-118-72] (John Harvey): Built in August 1972, supplied to Bob Jane Racing and fitted with a Repco Holden V8 for John Harvey to race in the Australian Gold Star series. First appeared at Surfers Paradise 27 Aug 1972 but failed to start with fuel problems. Then raced in a non-championship event at Warwick Farm a week later, where Harvey finished fifth in Heat 1 but collided with Kevin Bartlett at the start of the Heat 2. The car was then stored for 18 months, until sold to John Leffler to replace his damaged ANF2 Bowin P8/2. Converted to ANF2 specification and raced in the Australian F2 series in 1974, and in Australian Gold Star events. Leased to Sue Ransom for a one-off race at Wanneroo Park in May 1975. The car remained in Western Australia, and is reported to have been owned by Rod Housego and Ian Wookey, before reappearing at Wanneroo Park in the hands of Rob Richards in 1980. Richards raced it as late as 1982, in Formula Pacific specification. Then unknown until 2004, when it was being restored by Matthew Lloyd. Lloyd died in 2008, just as the car was being completed, and in 2009 it was bought by Dean Saunders.

Sources

Note that the identification of individual cars in these results is based on the material presented elsewhere in this site and may in some cases contradict the organisers' published results.

All comments, clarifications, corrections and additions are most welcome. Please email Allen (allen@oldracingcars.com) if you can help in any way with our research.