By Aaron Cordy
MUSCLE cars inspire a passion that never really goes away. For Martin Riseley of Heywoods Shepparton Motor Panel, jumping back into the racing scene in his 1964 Ford Mustang has unleashed that passion full throttle.
Martin used to race in Formula V from 1999 until 2010, when family and work commitments took priority. Encouraged by his friend Danny Buzadzic, who races a Holden Torana, Martin took the plunge in January and brought the Mustang and began racing her in the Touring Car Masters.
“I did one test at Winton [motor raceway] and then put the car on the boat and a fortnight later we were racing at Simmons Plains [Tasmania]. This year has been a big learning curve, getting back into it. What I’ve learned in 12 months has been huge,” said Martin.
Touring Car Masters is a support category to the V8 supercars, for classic muscle cars built between 1964 and 1980, featuring iconic models like the Ford Mustang, Holden Monaro, and Chevrolet Camaro.
This year, Martin raced at Bathurst, Hidden Valley in Darwin, Sydney Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend in South Australia and Simmons Plains in Tasmania, where he finished in second place.
“Shepparton has a strong relationship with motorsport and is such a car proud town. I’ve owned this business here since 1996. I went to school here. To be racing and representing the GV is something I’m proud of.”
Martin and his Mustang will be racing at the Sandown 500, Friday to Sunday, November 14 to 16.
