The race is a collaboration between Historic Winton, the Historic Touring Car Association of Victoria (HTCV) and the Cortina Mk1 Owners Club.
HTCV secretary Jim Collins said the Mk1 Cortina has been one of the most popular cars racing in the Historic Touring Cars since it was first released in 1963.
“How better to celebrate the 60-plus years of competition than to have a Cortina Challenge feature race on the short track at the Historic Winton meeting where numerous drivers would have had their first experience of historic racing,” Mr Collins said.
“The challenge is open to all Mk1 Cortina Group Nb and Nc class log booked competition vehicles.”
He said various Mk1 Cortina drivers had described the concept of the Cortina Challenge as a great idea and were all looking forward to the event, especially their own feature race.
“The Winton short circuit used for Historic Winton has always been considered ideal for the Cortina,” Mr Collins said.
“The drivers will be checking that they will have the right diff ratio for their car and brakes are in excellent working order before the event.”
Historic Winton race secretary Peta Lee said Cortinas have always been uncompromising competitors in the Group N touring car races against all sorts of hard-top cars, big and small.
“Spectators enjoy seeing much beloved, former everyday vehicles race, and it draws quite a crowd,” Ms Lee said.
“Cortinas were a small, family car that was Ford’s competitor to the Holden Torana.
“In fact, there have been some edge-of-your-seat moments in the past in the Group N events, with Minis and Cortinas entering into close battle, so it will be interesting to see just how competitive Cortina against Cortina becomes.”
The 47th Historic Winton, Australia’s longest-running and most popular historic car and motorcycle race event, will be held on May 25 and 26 at Winton Motor Raceway.
Discounted tickets and bookings for camping are available via www.ticketebo.com.au/historicwinton
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