Vern Schuppan confirmed for Historic Sandown 2015

Like so many others, "the boy from Whyalla" began his racing career in go-karts before moving to the U.K. to try his hand in Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic events. Based on some impressive results he was then signed by B.R.M. but was given only limited opportunities in non-championship Formula One events. Moves to Ensign and Surtees F1 teams were equally unproductive resulting in Schuppan contesting only nine Grands Prix.

 

With the backing of team owners Teddy Yip and Sid Taylor, Schuppan embarked on a successful career in Formula 5000, winning a number of major events in Europe and the USA and setting several lap records. He returned to Australia to win the 1976 Australian Rothmans International Series in the Team Theodore Lola T332, and won the coveted "Rookie of the Year" award at the Indianapolis "500".

 

Also in 1976 Schuppan co-drove with Allan Moffat in the Hardie-Ferodo '1000'. (Later he twice joined Dick Johnson in our "Great Race" and in 1981 was signed by the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team to partner John Harvey at Sandown and Bathurst)

 

But Schuppan's greatest achievements were in sports cars, especially Porsche's "big bangers" at Le Mans. Vern has an enviable record in the world's greatest endurance race, and after finishing 2nd in 1982, he tasted outright victory in 1983. He followed up by winning the 1983 All-Japan Endurance Championship, and in 1984 was awarded the Order of Australia for services to the sport of motor racing.

 

Fittingly the 'big banger" sports cars will take centre stage at the 24th Historic Sandown meeting. Forty races will be held over the 2-day program on November 7-8, with 400 racing, sports and touring cars taking part, and Vern Schuppan AM will be on hand to meet the fans and enjoy the racing. He will be joined by a number of other ambassadors of the sport, providing racegoers with the rare opportunity to enjoy the action and mix with Australia's motor racing "greats".

 

Historic Sandown 2015 takes place on November 6-8 (practise on Friday, November 6 - racing on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8), at Sandown Racecourse. For more information, go to: vhrr.com or contact 0427 395 296.