Elfin turns 50 with a flourish

Phillip Island will be buzzing this weekend as the biggest historic race meeting of its type in the southern hemisphere kicks off on Friday 13.

The three-day event, in addition to attracting what are expected to be record-equalling crowds and a massive lineup of 560 sports, racing and touring cars, will also host four significant brand anniversaries: 100 years of Morgan cars, 50 years of Mini, and the 50th anniversary of Australia's Elfin sports cars.

Formula Ford will also celebrate its 40th anniversary at the Island over the race weekend.

Elfin's 50th anniversary is particularly significant because the Tom Walkinshaw-owned specialist sports car maker (that started under the guidance of Adelaide racing car driver and designer Garrie Cooper) recently went into limited factory production of its MS8 Clubman and Streamliner V8 sports cars, as well as the four-cylinder T5 Clubman.

The MS8 Elfins employ Holden's Gen III V8 to deliver out-there acceleration times said to be among the quickest on the planet, while the T5 Clubman is hardly more docile with its GM-sourced 194kW/351Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 0-100km/h times under four seconds.

The T5, like the MS8 Elfins, complies for registration under the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board's (AMVCB) Ultra Low Volume Compliance regulations.

With a 50-year history behind it, the now Melbourne-based Elfin organisation claims to be the longest running race car manufacturer in the southern hemisphere.

Phillip Island organisers will also be working over the weekend to raise money for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal through the proceeds of various activities, including autograph signings by motorsport legends and a 'hot laps' auction.