47th Historic Winton weekend to showcase legendary Monaro

By Kelly Carmody

May 21, 2024

With so much lined up for this year’s 47th Historic Winton, you can expect to see the unexpected this weekend.

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However, one thing is certain: race car driver Tino Leo’s Holden Monaro will be part of the car park display.

This notable racing car, now retired from the track, was the first Monaro to race in the NC 1965-72 category at Historic Winton and is a replica of the Bob Jane Monaro.

Although Tino, 82, is overseas and cannot attend the event, his son Dom Leo will proudly display his father’s car.

“Dad won numerous races with it, and when he sold it, it went to Sydney and then we brought it back about 10 to 15 years later,” Dom said.

“We restored it to how we had it, and we’ve had it ever since. Dad might have raced it if he were here.”

The NC 1965-72 category at Historic Winton refers to a specific class of historic racing cars participating in the event.

It’s been described by motoring enthusiasts as an aggressive, edge-of-your-seat race.

The category includes production touring cars manufactured between 1965 and 1972 that are preserved or restored to their original specifications, showcasing the automotive technology and design of that era.

“After starting his racing career in 1969 in sports sedans, Dad started racing historic touring cars in 1987, and we have been racing in this category ever since,” Dom said.

“I started when I was about 12 years old, racing go-karts and then got into historic touring cars some years later in a Cortina and I currently race a 1969 Camaro.

“We used to go to many meetings, but now we’ve slowed down and mainly do Victorian ones and occasionally some interstate races.

“It’s amazing that Dad still races, though — he loves it.”

Dom, who is the vice-president of the Historic Touring Car Association of Victoria, noted that the club would be doing something special this weekend to celebrate 60 years of Australian racing for the Ford Cortina.

“They’re expecting a fair crowd this year, and they have quite a few entries, so it will be a good weekend. We are putting on a special Cortina race, which will be a stand-alone race,” he said.

“We are always trying to come up with things like the Cortina challenge for our category. It’s not all about one particular make of car; we try to involve as many cars and people as we can.

“It’s always a great event and showcases a mixture of cars, bikes and everything motoring.

“It will be good to have the Monaro back there at the meeting after such a long absence, even if it is just for display.”

The 47th Historic Winton will be held on May 25 and 26.

For event information, including ticket purchases, please visit https://historicwinton.org