1997 Reveiw HQ Holdens The HQ series was well supported this year and the final round climaxed in the Penzoil HQ 3 Hour race. Shawn Press and Neville Haley were the front runners all year. Shane Fifield made a large improvement this years suggesting he could be a chance for the title next year. The HQ 3 Hour race was won by South Australian Peter Holmes with regular Champion of Winton competitor Neville Haley finishing in second position.
Shawn Press Leads the HQ's away
Results
1st Shawn Press HQ Holden
2nd Shane Fifield HQ Holden
3rd Anthony Edwards HQ Holden
Marque Sports Marque Sports and MG's had some good racing this year but were mainly combined with the Club Cars and some times with Group C cars wich provided good racing. Phil Poat won the series with 99 points and Gary Edwards was second despite only running two of the four rounds which he scored maximum points in. Russell Butler performed well in his Westfield and Mort Fitzgerald was another to take max points in is MG V8. Results 1st Phil Poat 2nd Gary Edwards 3rd Russell Butler
Under 2L Sports Sedans 1997 saw a battle between three cars Phil Pettigrew in a Ford Escort Steve Newing in his Datsun and Trevor McGuiness in another escort. 29 Cars competed in the Champion of Winton series for under 2L Sports Sedans which some times made up part of the national races. With the most popular car amongst entrants being Datsuns it was Phil Pettigrew who won the series from Newing and McGuiness.
Under 2L Sports sedans had good Fields
Results
1st Phillip Pettigrew
2nd Steve Newing
3rd Trevor McGuiness
Club Cars 1997 saw only 8 different club cars compete in the Champion of Winton series so they were often combined with the Sports Sedands. Andrew Miles only competed in two rounds but in both rounds managed to take a maximum points haul. Bruce Henley on the other hand was consist and managed to win the series. Results 1st Bruce Henley 2nd Andrew Miles 3rd Rohan Ambrose
Formula Ford Formula Ford had a total of 11 different competitors in 1997. Michael Shead and Tony Harper performed well in the championship through consistency. Greg Hunter dominated round three of the championship almost scoring maximum pointed. Timo Hulko also performed well winning round one of the Championship. Results 1st Michael Shead 2nd Tony Harper 3rd Greg Hunter
Formula Vee 1997 saw 27 formula Vees competed in the Champion of Winton series. Strong performances were put in by Leigh Barclay and David Rosengrave who both managed a maximum points haul in a round. It was Craig Hendrick who took out the Champion of Winton crown after going into the last round equal on points with Mark Robbins. Ray Colenso also put in a consistent performance to finish third in the championship. Bill Burford from Tasmania dominated round 3 taking maximum points.
Formula Vees provided good racing
Results
1st Craig Hendrick
2nd Mark Robbins
3rd Ray Colenso
Formula Libre Six Formula Libres lined up for the 1997 Champion of Winton Series. Grameme Holmes scored maximum points in Round 2 but Hugh Gartley won the series through consistency just 7 points ahead of Peter George who had a poor last round. Results 1st Hugh Gartley 2nd Peter George 3rd Peter Rees
Over 2L Sports Sedans There were a total of 16 competitors in the Over 2L Sports Sedans in the 1997 champion of Winton series. Bruce DeBoo was the stand out driver winning all but one round, losing round 2 to Alan Tillett. John McIlroy was a consistent performer which scored him second in the championship.
Sports Sedans have a variety of cars
Results
1st Bruce DeBoo
2nd John McIlroy
3rd Keith Linnell
