Saturday, March 26 marked the 70th Anniversary of the Inaugural General Meeting of Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) held at the Savoy Hotel Melbourne in 1952 where the initial committee was formed and Winston Maguire appointed as the first president.

To celebrate that date, the club conducted a number of events at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit featuring a Multi Club Super Sprint, a Victorian Motorkhana Championship Round with invitations for others to join in on an untimed basis, a Hillclimb and Superkart Qualifying and Races.

All competitors once they had entered one event were invited to try the other events at no extra cost on the Saturday.

Sunday featured different events with Qualifying and Scratch Races for Formula 5000, 2 Litre Sports Sedans, Formula Open (Libre) and Combined Sedans. There was also a Show and Shine which included a number of parade laps of the circuit.

All PIARC members, competitors, officials and invited special guests were invited to drop in to the Suite 1 Lounge overlooking the main straight.

PIARC President Nick Scarcella and PIARC Director Geoff Bull hosted the guests to relive the 70 Years of PIARC and 66 years of racing at the Island and witness the presentation of club awards for 2019 and 2020 (unpresented over the two years of Covid Restrictions).

“We must thank Phillip Island Operations and especially Dave Bennett, Luke Sibson and staff for the provision of Suite 1 Lounge and their assistance in presenting the event, particularly the use of the Go-Kart Track and access to the Circuit Museum to view PIARC memorabilia and displays of race cars and motorcycles,” said Geoff Bull.

Guests included PIARC Member of Honour and 2007 Competitor of the Year Murray Carter, who competed at the Grand Opening Meeting in 1956 and continued racing until 2016.

Other attendees include Alby Middleton, 1985 Competitor of the Year, Edith Irving, wife of Life Member and founding director Phil Irving, Marcia Nelson, wife of long serving President and Life Member Peter Nelson, 1973 Clubman of the Year Lyne De Luca, 1995 and 2012 Competitor of the Year, Auscar and Nascar Champion Terry Wyhoon.

Tim Macrow 2015 Competitor of the Year appeared briefly, but was focusing on managing a number of competing cars.

Motorsport Australia Executives CEO Eugene Arocca and Mike Smith also attended, showing their support for PIARC and acknowledging the Club’s significant history and achievements over the 70 years.

At the end of Sunday, trophies for Race 3 for all racing categories were presented.

Club Awards presented for 2019 and 2020 included PIARC John Lanyon Competitors of the Year 2019 Peter Gluskie and Sam Winter whom also won the 2019 Australian Targa Championships.

The 2020 Award recipient was Paul Zsidy who has for many years been active as a Formula Ford driver and competitor in both the National Series / Championship and the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships. Paul has also previously been Victorian Motorsport Australia State Council chairman and is the current Victorian State Race Series chairman. 

“We congratulate all three as worthy winners and valued members,” Geoff said.

“The 2019 PIARC Clubsport Competitor of the Year Ashley Cutchie has a great lineage being a formerly a successful Formula Ford competitor/driver and son of Ray Cutchie.

“Ashley these days gets his jollies competing in a BMW in Supersprints and simply having fun doing what he loves.

“2020 winner is Pat Di Fore who competes at every PIARC Supersprint  in a most unlikely vehicle, a Mercedes CLK 63 AMG and is very proud of his efforts and the joy derived from being part of the club and a competitive group.”

Geoff said the 2019 PIARC Junior Club Member of the Year was Riley Balcombe who has become the guru of the Phillip Island Circuit CCTV after a number years assisting in the role whilst learning the ropes.

“The 2020 junior Zahra Scarcella is a young lady destined to a Motorsport future having pit crewed and helped prepare cars with father Nick and become a wizard in the PIARC E-Sports over the last couple of years.”

The Winston Maguire PIARC Clubman of the Year was instituted in 1965 and six of the last 10 winners have been women showing the growing success of their gender. 

The 2019 winner was Theresa Ford who has for many years been the event secretary for Supersprints whilst at race meetings and is the deputy technical manager for radios and public address.

The 2020 Winston Maguire PIARC clubman of the year Dawn Bull is a veteran of many years as the welcoming face of the circuit as a gatekeeper. She was previously an assistant secretary of the event and has also been involved in the running of many social events over the years as well as supporting her husband and sons in club life.

The weekend’s events and racing concluded with the following presentations:

F5000 – Paul Zazryn, David Hardman and Darcy Russell
Formula Open – Trent Grubel, Ryan Astley and Phil Hughes
2 Litre SS – Craig Lindsell, Steven Howard and Iain McDougall
Combined sedans – Andrew Rhodes-Anderson
Show and Shine – Trevor Phillips, Travis Dobbyn and Geoff Yule
Vic Motorkhana Championship Round – Jeff Salmon, Matt Webb and Brian Shanahan
Superkarts – Nick Schembri, Colin McIntire, Gary Pegararo
Hillclimb – Christopher Peters, Peter Minihan and Bruce Minihan.
Supersprints – Ron Koczek, Cam Van den Dungen, Pat Di Fore, Stuart Jones, Dave Whitehead, Glen Booth and Ben Dunkin all acquitted themselves well.

“Given the diversity of PIARC in motorsports and the events we were show casing, the overall entry of 170 vehicles was pleasing and provided plenty of entertainment to competitors and members who were truly gaining “Access to Motorsports”,” said Geoff.

“A worthy weekend to commence our Platinum Anniversary.

“Keep an eye on www.piarc.com.au for details of upcoming events and race meetings which will celebrate our 70 years of motorsports activities.”