SKOPE Classic: Revs, Racing and Records

SKOPE Classic 2017

SKOPE Classic is acknowledged as one of the best classic car race meetings in New Zealand by car enthusiasts and drivers alike. In its 26th year, SKOPE Classic attracted a record 300 competitors from around the world. Taking to the track at Ruapuna this year were motorsport legends; Australian based Jim Richards, Italian Gianfranco Brancatelli, Swedish Ulf Grunberg, and local hero and Patron of the Canterbury Car Club, Trevor Crowe. This year also marked the first year that SKOPE Classic featured historic Formula One cars from the legendary 1970’s James Hunt era.

Another personal record set
Another legend of the 1970’s is the Porsche 911 IROC replica (1974) which is driven by one of SKOPE Classic’s biggest supporters, Guy Stewart, SKOPE’s Managing Director. The 911 IROC has been around the track every year since SKOPE became a sponsor 16 years ago but 2017 was a year for a new personal best in this car:

"I set my fastest time in IROC at this year’s SKOPE Classic at 1:34.93, so that’s pretty cool."

No stranger to competitive racing
The 911 IROC was built by John Warring from a 1973 911S and “… is an amazingly competitive car given its age and 3.4 litre engine,” Guy says. IROC had another great year, placing second in the Ron Silvester 5 lap and 6 lap races and third in the Stanton Bros Sports and GT’s race, before Guy’s weekend was cut short by an impact that damaged a suspension strut.

Well acquainted with the driver’s seat
Guy started racing 16 years ago and has never looked back. Not only has Guy competed in club races and shorter endurances races (one and three hour) in New Zealand, he has also competed in longer endurance races. Guy raced in the ADAC 24 Hour (Nürburgring) three times, the Dubai 24 Hour twice, as well as a VLN 4 Hour (Nürburgring) and the Bathurst 12 hour.

An update on the GT2
For those of you wondering where Guy’s Porsche GT2 was this SKOPE Classic, it is undergoing an engine rebuild and was not available in time. Hopefully we will see this ex “Racing” Ray William’s 850HP GT2 back on the track soon. To get a sense of how fast it is have a look a the video below to see it in a handicap race against a group of muscle cars starting one minute after the first cars leave.

Bring on SKOPE Classic 2018
Planning for the race schedule in 2018 is already underway. Guy plans to compete in SKOPE Classic 2018 for the 17th year in a row as long as it doesn’t clash with a possible drive in the Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race. Can’t wait to see what new records can be set next year. See you there! 2 - 4 March 2018, Mike Pero Motorsport Park.