Phillip Island gearing up for 30 years of Island Magic

Racing enthusiasts will celebrate Phillip Island’s 30th Island Magic on Saturday. Take a trip down memory lane to the 1991 event.

A variety of Island Magic races from 1991 are still held today. Picture: Peter Weaver

Car racing fanatics are gearing up for the 30th anniversary of Island Magic however thousands of motorsport enthusiasts that usually attend Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit won’t be able to due to COVID-19 restrictions

Phillip Island Auto Racing Club secretary Geoff Bull said he is sad that people can’t attend the event this year.

“We are currently living in a different world,” he told The Bass Coast News.

“In the interests of the public’s health and wellbeing, not to mention planning ahead we unfortunately decided to make the event not for the public … people in the local area can still listen to commentary on Island FM 87.6fm.”

Island Magic features 22 races with 150 competitors that drive both exotic and traditional sports cars including Sports Sedans, Mustangs, Toranas, Camaros, GT Falcons, Cortinas and Minis.

Mr Bull has been involved in all 30 Island Magic events and he loves that races from 1991 are still held to this day.

“I love that Island Magic has its own history but encompasses the history of many traditional events such as the 50K Plate, The Matthew Flinders Plate and The Victorian Tourist Trophy,” he said.

“It is serious motorsport run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.”

Motorsport Photographer Peter Weaver has been in the industry since the 70s and has photographed Island Magic since 1991.

“Due to COVID-19 and the restrictions on access it looks like I won’t be able to attend this year,” he said.

“It’s always a great event to enjoy the racing and the camaraderie of my motor racing buddies.”

Here are seven Island Magic events from 1991 that are still held in 2020.

ENDEAVOUR CUP

Chris Hocking competed in the Hocking Formula Holden and was second in the Road Racing final and won the Endeavour Cup in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

VICTORIAN ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Victorian Road Racing Championship was won by Bob Minogue in his Lola T430 in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

50K PLATE

James Philip ran in his Commodore with a third-place finish in the 50K Plate for Sports Sedans in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

MATTHEW FLINDERS PLATE

Issy Sveticic finished second in the Club Car final behind Andrew Brown’s RX3 Mazda in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

VICTORIAN HISTORIC TOURING CAR TROPHY

The Victorian Historic Touring Car Trophy race was won by Henry Draper in a Mini Cooper in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

VICTORIAN TOURIST TROPHY

Maurie Platt leads from Peter Knight and Dave Wood, Mr Wood was able to get past both of his rivals to take the win in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

COWES CUP

Cowes Cup in November 1991. Picture: Peter Weaver

Island Magic is on Saturday and Sunday, 9am - 5pm. Details: piarc.com.au/

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