QUEENSLAND Raceway’s annual HRCC Classic Queensland meeting once again proved why historic motorsport remains a favourite among enthusiasts, with a packed field of machinery from bygone decades taking centre stage at Ipswich over the weekend.
More than 100 cars rolled out across a variety of categories, with touring cars, sports sedans, openwheelers and historic motorcycles all contributing to a weekend built around celebrating the sport’s past.
The headline moment came courtesy of Tony Quinn, who fired up his 1995 ex-Jos Verstappen Simtek S951 Formula 1 car and gave spectators a taste of Grand Prix racing from a previous era.
The distinctive howl of the naturally aspirated V8 engine echoed around Queensland Raceway as Quinn completed several demonstration laps, bringing an authentic Formula 1 soundtrack back to life. Fans crowded the fence line and pit lane to witness a sound that has become increasingly rare in modern motorsport.
Originally raced by Jos Verstappen during the 1995 Formula 1 World Championship season, the Simtek carries added significance today, with Verstappen now widely recognised as the father of reigning Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen. Seeing the car back on track served as a reminder of an era when Formula 1 was defined by high-revving engines, raw performance and unmistakable sound.
Its appearance at Queensland Raceway was a fitting centrepiece for an event dedicated to preserving motorsport heritage.
HRCC Classic Queensland continues to grow as a key fixture on the calendar, allowing competitors to showcase their pride and joy while allowing fans to relive memories of racing’s golden years.
From the smell of race fuel in the paddock to the sight of historic machinery charging through Turn One, the meeting delivered a reminder that some of motorsport’s greatest attractions are timeless.
For many, however, the lasting memory of the weekend will be hearing a 1995 Formula 1 car in
full song around Queensland Raceway.
