As the original AUSCAR’s got older, they were sold to make way for newer models, the older models were given a home in the Sportsman category.

The engines used were the 4200cc motor for Holden and the 5020cc engine for Ford.

Sportsman was introduced to the crowd at Calder Park Thunderdome on April 24th, 1992, with Wayne Smith winning the first ten lap race, Wayne went on to win the 1992/93 championship.

The introduction of the Sportsman class gave possible Stock Car participants three (then four) categories to choose from and several drivers made the journey through all three levels with one example being 1993/94 champion Eddie Abelnica who won at least one race in all three categories.

The 1994/95 season introduced the Formula Falcon category, but it lasted the one season before it was absorbed into Sportsman.

Others raced in both Sportsman and AUSCAR categories and the cars experienced a kind of homecoming when the two categories shared the track in the late 1990’s.

Darren McDonald was the only driver to win both a Sportsman championship and an AUSCAR championship.

Race winners were Wayne Smith, Matthew White, Tony Malley, Graeme O’Brien, Jamey Hollier, Eddie Abelnica, Darren McDonald, Con Vereker, Shane Houlahan, Graeme Gilliland, Ben Savage, Mark Vereker, Chris Robinson and Andrew Gillespie.

Thanks to the Wayback Machine, we can go back and see the results from all 39 planned races (three were washed out) and who was the fastest qualifier for each race.

Sportsman Champions

1992/93 Season Champion was Wayne Smith
1993/94 Season Champion was Eddie Abelnica
1994/95 Season Champion was Darren McDonald
1995/96 Season Champion was Shane Houlahan
1996/97 Season Champion was Graeme Gilliland
1997/98 Season Champion was Graeme Gilliland
1998/99 Season Champion was Graeme Gilliland

First Sportsman Winner: Wayne Smith

Most wins (Championship and Non-Championship combined): Jamey Hollier with 10 wins.

Driver with the most championships: Graeme Gilliland with 3 titles.