As we came down from the high the Shannon’s SpeedSeries left us on, we made way for the Victorian State Race Series to hold it’s first of two events on the island for the ‘23 season which was hosted by the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club.

The three days on track, featured an abundance of categories including Improved Production, Saloon Cars, Porsche 944s, BMW E30s, Formula Ford and Vees, Sports Sedans, HQ Holdens, Hyundai Excels and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Scholarship Series.

The series makes way for many young guns out on track wanting to kickstart their career (as well as enthusiasts and seasoned racers), with entry level categories such as Hyundai Excels and Formula Ford’s providing the exposure that the stars of tomorrow need in order to hit the ground running as they move up the ranks.

Qualifying

The start to the weekend got underway with qualifying for the 10 categories in the crisp morning air.

Formula Ford were first off the rank with Damon Woods qualifying in pole position at a lap time of 1.38.05.

Improved Production saw the HSV Senator driven by Luke Grech-Cumbo claim pole at 1.44.17.

Royce Lyne of the BMW E30’s took out top spot at 1.53.35 - also the fastest lap of the session.

Formula Vee saw Reef McCarthy on pole at 1.52.82.

Anthony Westaway of the Porsche 944’s claimed pole with just over half of a second gap between the rest of the field, at 1.50.39.

The Saloon Cars saw Adam Lowndes pilot his VY Commodore to top of the time charts and claim pole at 1.50.54.

Hyundai Excels following on, saw Cadel Ambrose claim a time of 2:00.05 on pole, with just under half a second before the remainder of the field followed suit and crossed the chequered flag.

Brett Dickie drove his Honda Prelude to the Sports Sedans pole position, at 1:36.54.

The classic HQ Holdens saw pole taken out by Gavin Ross at 2:04.47 - also being the fastest lap of the session.

Jack Westbury then proceeded to claim top spot in the Toyota Scholarship Series at 1:52.26 during the last qualifying session of the day before racing got underway.

Races

The first of each categories three races for the weekend got underway on early Saturday afternoon, each getting a short 18 minute sprint to push their way up through the field.

The Toyota Scholarship Series ran an eight lap setup, with drivers partaking in it’s prequalifying round which is one of five for their season.

It gives aspiring drivers the chance to then score a seat in the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TRGA) support category in the Supercars championship - acting as a flow through for young talent to start a successful career in racing.

Race one results

Formula Ford:

1. Damon Woods
2. Joe Fawcett
3. Edison Beswick

Improved Production:

1. Luke Grech-Cumbo (HSV Senator)
2. Daniel Timewell (Holden VF Commodore)
3. Damien Milano (HSV Commodore)

BMW E30’s:

1. Ashley Rogers
2. Royce Lyne
3. Jesse Bryan

Formula Vee:

1. Reef McCarthy
2. Nicholas Jones
3. Andre Curin

Porsche 944:

1. Chris Lewis-Williams
2. Adam Brewer
3. Cameron Beller

Saloon Cars:

1. Kerran Pridmore (Holden Commodore)
2. Adam Lowndes (Holden VY Commodore)
3. Keven Stoopman (Ford AU Falcon)

Hyundai Circuit Excels:

1. Cadel Ambrose
2. Harry Tomkins
3. Antonio Molluso

Sports Sedans:

1. Francois Habib (Holden VZ)
2. Greg Lynch (HSV GTS VT - Series 2)
3. Ben Mcleod (Holden Commodore)

HQ Holdens:

1. Rodd Raatjes
2. Steve Banks
3. Gavin Ross

Toyota Scholarship Series:

1. Matthew Hillyer
2. Lachlan Bloxsom
3. Max Geoghegan

With the Saturday sessions coming to an end, the paddock eagerly awaited for Sunday to roll around despite the looming rain clouds sitting ominously out the back of Bass Strait.

As the final day ensued, the soft patter of rain was the ever-present sound throughout the morning, with the second set of races getting underway in the wet.

Race two results

Formula Ford:

1. Edison Beswick
2. Cody Maynes-Rutty
3. Matthew Holmes

Improved Production:

1. Damien Milano
2. Luke Grech-Cumbo
3. Mathew Logan (Holden VE Commodore)

BMW E30’s:

1. Royce Lyne
2. Seth Burchartz
3. Brian Bourke

Formula Vee:

1. Reef McCarthy
2. Heath Collinson
3. Jake Rowe

Porsche 944:

1. James Westaway
2. Chris Lewis-Williams
3. Cameron Beller

Saloon Cars:

1. Adam Lowndes
2. Jacob Prestipino (Holden Commodore)
3. Keven Stoopman 

Hyundai Circuit Excels:

1. Harry Tomkins
2. Cadel Ambrose
3. James Lodge

Sports Sedans:

1. Mark Tracey (BMW E36)
2. Francois Habib
3. Cameron McKee (Ford AU XR6)

HQ Holdens:

1. Gavin Ross
2. Ryan Woods
3. Rod Raatjes

Toyota Scholarship Series:

1. Matthew Hillyer
2. Rylan Gray
3. Brock Stinson

As race two for the categories wrapped, adrenaline was running high as the wait for the driver’s last chance of the weekend to push hard for more points in their respective championships ensued.

The sun began to peak through the clouds and the air cold enough to remind you exactly why you love racing - that’s how you know its going to be good.

Race three results

Formula Ford:

1. Bailey Collins
2. Zak Lobko
3. Harrison Sellars

Improved Production:

1. Damien Milano
2. Mathew Logan
3. Luke Grech-Cumbo

BMW E30’s:

1. Royce Lyne
2. Jesse Bryan
3. Brian Bourke

Formula Vee:

Red flagged

Porsche 944:

1. Chris Lewis-Williams
2. Cameron Beller
3. James Westaway

Saloon Cars:

1. Adam Lowndes
2. Kerran Pridmore
3. Jacob Prestipino

Hyundai Circuit Excels:

1. Cadel Ambrose
2. Jame Lodge
3. Harry Tomkins

Sports Sedans:

1. Francois Habib
2. Greg Lynch
3. Mark Tracey

HQ Holdens:

1. Rod Raatjes
2. Gavin Ross
3. Ryan Woods

Toyota Scholarship Series:

1. Matthew Hillyer
2. Oscar Targett
3. Rylan Gray

For more information on the Victorian State Race Series and their 2023 calendar head over to www.vsrs.com.au.