The Star: January 30, 2020

Thursday January 30 2020 The Star 11
Ruapuna
1st and 2nd
February 2020
Celebrating 30 years racing
2020 Skope Classic - Car Racing like no other!
After 30 years of uninterrupted classic race meeting,
the Canterbury Car Club along with the long-time
sponsor and supporter, Skope Industries, will celebrate
the iconic two-day birthday event this weekend with
some fanfare.
Originally under the name of the BP Alfa Classic,
PDL Industries took over naming rights in 1995 before
Skope became involved in 2003. The enthusiasm from
competitors and the public has never waned, and the
meeting remains the biggest in both entry and crowd
numbers on the club’s calendar.
A handful of cars from the inaugural 1991 event
remain and while the value of these cars has increased,
the current owners still believe that as racing cars, their
right place is on the track.
Over the years the event has invariably carried a
theme. This year it will celebrate 50 years of the Open
Saloon Car Association (OSCA). Strictly a South Island
affair these days, OSCA was formed by a local group
who deemed that the costs of racing in the national
championship for “all-comers” type cars had become
too expensive.
In the early years, the front running cars were always
V8 powered. This has changed with time, with turbo
and rotary-powered cars also becoming front-runners.
For OSCA’s birthday at the Skope it is anticipated that
some 30 cars will line up. Some of these have not raced
for years. This includes the winning MK1 Ford Escort
Turbo of Michael Johnston, a car restored and driven
by new owner, Nick Donaldson.
Also in the field will be a 1977 5-litre Alfa Romeo
Alfetta, a car that has not raced in OSCA but against
them in the 1980s. It is competing by invitation and will
be driven by former BNTV8 champion, Angus Fogg.
Other saloon cars of note that will compete in other
classes include three former Australian Supercars, a 2004
Ford Falcon, a 2006 Ford Falcon and a 2007 Holden
Commodore, along with a selection of New Zealand
muscle cars and the Historic Touring Car category.
A crowd-pleaser for many years has been the Formula
5000 revival series cars. The category fits nicely into the
theme of classic cars. At a time when the “sound of silence”
vehicles are becoming more common on the road, it is
generally accepted that the sound of these cars along with
the V8 saloon cars are an added crowd attraction.
In the driver line, will be the well-known Richards
family - father Jim, a seven-time winner at Bathurst, his
son Steven, a five-time winner of this classic event and
his son, Clay, who now drives Formula Ford in Australia.
While the major attraction is a wonderful array of
cars, the meeting is also designed to cater for families.
Pit entry comes at no extra charge and spectators are
welcome to mingle with drivers and their cars. For
younger family members, there will be a number of
activities. We’ve got one huge children’s activity area
this year.
There have only been 4 outstanding
drivers who have taken part in all 30
Classic Car events, now known as Skope.
Dennis Champan, Debbie Chapman,
Keith Cowan & Brian Dixon.
Brian Dixon, Van Diemen RF84
Keith Cowan, Johnston Formula Ford
With over 200 competitors across 44 races our 30th Skope
Classic is going to be an outstanding weekend of racing
Kids under 16yrs are free to attend Skope
Dennis, Debbie (& Dale) Chapman
in their Fiat X19 Abarth Replicas
THIS WEEKEND
FAST FUN
FOR THE ENTIRE
FAMILY 1ST & 2ND FEBRUARY
AT RUAPUNA MOTORSPORT PARK