Glamping arrives at Classic motor races

Camping – or rather ‘glamping’ – will be an option for competitors, officials and spectators for the first time at next year’s Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport from March 8-10, overcoming the traditionally tight accommodation on the Island over the long weekend.

The Classic’s organiser, the Victorian Historic Racing Register, hopes to create the upmarket ambiance found at major overseas motoring events like France’s Le Mans Classic, where racing and exotic road cars are regularly seen parked overnight outside motorhomes and caravans.

The camping area at Phillip Island is adjacent to the circuit in the Visitor Centre Gardens, surrounded by trees and with spectacular views to Bass Straight – just a short stroll from the Paddock and adjacent to the licenced Champions Café.

The area has been used for camping in conjunction with the MotoGP and Superbikes for many years, but never previously for a motorcar event.

Powered sites are not available, however portable generators can be operated in the campground between 7.00am and 10.00pm, making it eminently suitable for motorhomes – perhaps with historic racing cars on trailers in tow.

Showers and toilets are also available for those whose ‘glamper vans’ are not so equipped.

The Camping Ground will be open from 4pm, Thursday March 7 until 9.00am on Monday March 11, with access only to competitors and officials with ‘Classic’ credentials and spectators with event tickets.

Camping costs per adult will be $70 for the period Thursday-Sunday inclusive and $55 per adult for the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, with children under 15 admitted free.

These costs are in addition to entry to the Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport, which for 2013 will be Friday - $25; Saturday - $30, and Sunday - $40.

Demand for space in the campground is expected to be high, as the 2013 Phillip Island Classic is again expected to attract an entry of around 550 sports, racing and touring cars spanning 80 years for more than 30 races and demonstrations over the weekend.

As in previous years, practice and qualifying will take place on the Friday, with wall-to-wall racing over the weekend.

The 2013 Classic will feature ‘big banger’ sports cars and celebrate a number of major motoring and motorsport milestones.

These include the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin, 60 years of the Chevrolet Corvette, 40 years of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS and the life of racing and road car legend Carroll Shelby.

Camping applications and more information about the event are available at the VHRR website.