MOTOR RACING: Northern New South Wales driver Garry Ford will compete in his Ford Escort in the sports sedan class at this weekend's Autumn Historics meeting at Morgan Park Raceway.

Ford is one of the favourites to win a class where many of the cars look like road cars but have been modified into specialised racing cars.

His Ford Escort is powered by a five-litre V8 motor.

Some of his toughest opposition will come from Mark Trenowarth, of Cleveland, in the ex-John McCormack Jaguar XJ-S. McCormack drove the same vehicle in the Australian Sport Sedan Championships in the 1970s.

The car has been restored to its original Unipart livery. Trenowarth is one of the foundation drivers in the class and competes in both historic meetings in Warwick each year.

Historic Racing Car Club of Queensland vice-president Peter Walsh said there were 17 drivers in the sports sedan class, which included sports sedans, Trans Ams and improved production cars.

"This class will be one of the fastest groups on the weekend, with speeds of around 240kmh,” he said.

"All of the racing will be on the resurfaced 3km main circuit.

"The highest speeds will be reached in the front straight in front of the pit area and through the sweeper at the back of the circuit.”

Most of the 140 drivers arrived in Warwick yesterday and will stay at least two nights in the town.

"Our drivers and support crews have booked more than 100 motel rooms in town,” Walsh said.

Racing is from 8.30am today to late afternoon and from 8am tomorrow to about 4pm. There are 35 races and nine groups of cars.

Admission costs $30 for adults for the weekend and $20 for a day, with a discount of $5 for concession card holders. Children under 15 enter free.

While there is a charge to walk through the pit area at some race meetings, this weekend's entry fee enables motorsport fans to enter the pit area.