By Auto Action
Date posted: 27 February 2026
Historic Sports Sedans Australia is pleased to announce the four-round 2026 John McCormack Historic Sports Sedans Australia 2026, which kicks off at Mallala Motorsport Park over the weekend of 17-19 April 2026
The series is named in honour of John McCormack, who was one of Australia’s leading racing drivers, competing successfully in both open wheel and Sports Sedans.
McCormack won the Australian Drivers’ Championship-Gold Star three times and enjoyed a long association with Australian race car constructor Elfin.
The marque delivered its first Gold Star in 1973 with McCormack driving an Elfin MR5 Repco Holden, and in 1975, it won again in another Elfin, this time in an MR6 Repco Holden.
In 1977, he adapted an ex-British Grand Prix-winning McLaren M23, repowering the McLaren with a locally developed Repco Leyland V8.
He also won consecutive New Zealand Grand Prix in 1973 and 1974, the Tasman Series and Australian Grand Prix, with his best results being second in both events. Most of McCormack’s major wins were under the banner of the Ansett Team Elfin.
Clem Smith’s stunning Charger and Bryan Thomson’s Mercedes-Chev in front of some great classic Sports Sedans. Image: John Lemm
McCormack was also a significant player in Sports Sedans, winning the 1974 Toby Lee Sports Sedan Series driving his highly modified Chrysler Valiant Charger-Repco Holden V8.
The Charger was built in Adelaide and was developed using many components and with specifications virtually identical to those of the Formula 5000 cars he had raced.
With over 38 historic cars already entered, including 22 genuine historic Sports sedans, with the addition of 16 invited period correct race cars including the Bryan Thomson-Mercedes Chev, Charlie Milner Chev-HB Torana, Dick Ward’s Fiat Arbath Rotary, the Clem Smith Charger.
Other great cars at the event will include Tony Hubbard-LX Torana, Keith Carling -RX7 Rotary, Doug Clarke-Holden 202 RA 40 Celica and the Barry Bray Datsun, just to list a few
Other special cars to be presented include the recreation of the Bryan Thomson VW Chev and the Peter Finch HQ Chev Monaro.
With following events planned for 2026, Round 2 22-23 August Sandown, Victoria (TBC), Round 3, 25—26 One Raceway Goulburn, NSW, Round 4, 28-29 November, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW.
For further information visit facebook.com/groups/HSS.Aust/
Images: John Lemm
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