Highline Magazine Edition 3

ISSUE 3 JUNE 2014

Daniel Sayre

e z i r p e h t n o Eyes

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Wilby Park??? – Not your average speedway McDonalds’Maiden Mid Western Super Rod Title

S D O R R E P SU

Blake returns victorious

(read one mans slanted view of the Oz Late Model Title)

Editorial Hello and welcome to the much delayed 3rd edition of highline magazine. Hopefully the wait has been worthwhile.

Victorian Mark Carlin did the reverse travelling from Victoria to Attwell Park in the beautiful Albany region of WA.

Who is Highline Magazine? What can we say, except sometimes Modified Production Sedans are one

Editor: Brett Swanson Contributors; Brian Van De Wakker, Grant Woodhams, Warren Bishop Artist/layout; Andy Ticehurst / PRM Publishing, Brett Swanson Photographers: Brett Swanson – Pirate Media Kieran Swanson – Pirate Media Matt Hines – Jigsaw Photography Andy Ticehurst – Andy Ticehurst.com Inaction Photos— inactionphotos.com.au Geoff Gracie Facebook Contributions / Criticism welcome Highline Magazine Brett Swanson brett@piratemediaservices.com.au

Cover Shot: This superb shot of Michael McDonald early in the night at Mid Western Speedway, Darlington, on the Victorian Super Rod Title night was captured by Leigh Reynolds— Inactionphotos.com.au

things don’t always go as you like them to. Sometimes life, and even death, gets in the way of what you really want to do.

very competitive class and Mark is a very competitive racer and he and the team put in the hard yards travelling to all the top events throughout the land. Mark has certainly proved Australian Championships have conhe’s every bit as good, if not better tinued to be run and won since our than his hard driving dad Max. last issue with Chad Ely, Kodee Brown, Mark Carlin, Brock Hallett, The racing season is by and large fast Robbie Faux and Brad Blake all tak- coming to an end as the weather also ing national titles and in each case turns cold and sour with only a handexcept for Ely and Brown, it was not ful of events remaining on the calendar. While the “BIG” tracks have genthe first time. erally closed for the winter, some of Hallett stepped back into a Formula the smaller “club” venues still have a 500 after spending most of the seacouple of events to go to see out son in Speedcars and won the Fortheir seasons. Still, any racing is betmula 500 Championship contested at ter than no racing. the Motorplex in Perth.

Warren Bishop is a unique character, Meanwhile Bunbury’s Brad Blake and I’m not just referring to his went the other direction from WA to height either. He lives in Geraldton Mt Gambier on the South AustralianWA and is a late model sedan aficioVictorian border to record his sixth nado. Don’t be fooled by his turn of National crown and fifth in the Late phrase as he is a very astute man Model Division. with an entertaining writing style Mildura’s Faux headed to Tasmania that doesn’t please everybody but to defend his Street Stock title that we are glad that “the pocket rocket” he won last year at Mt Gambier and has agreed to write for us here at did so in what is potentially the most Highline magazine. We hope you evenly competitive speedway class enjoy his articles starting with his in the country. view of the Australian Late Model For Ely, the season has been a beau- Sedan Championship. ty firstly winning the Allstar Sprintcar Series Championship, and then following that up with the Australian 360 Sprintcar Championship at his quasi home track of Murray Bridge.

Finally, it is with deep personal regret that we mourn the passing of Australia’s speedway and Formula 1 legend Sir John “Jack” Brabham.

Long may his legacy live on.

Congratulations to all of our newly crowned Aussie Champs.

Also sad to hear of the passing of US Hot Rod and Speedway legend Speedy Bill Smith.

What is it with West Australian Sedan Drivers and long drives to South Remember if you “follow” us on isAustralia? suu.com you will get automatic alerts and links to future editions so Kodee Brown made the long haul from Broome to Murray Bridge and you wont miss an edition and you wont have to go looking for it either. then in one of the best titles for some time had to dice back and forth Until then, race safe. to get the win. Well done Kodee.

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t n o s e y E — Sayre

e may only be sixteen years of age, but Daniel Sayre sure knows how to drive a racecar. Since a young age, Daniel has been honing his skills behind the wheel of a Dirt Kart; however, he now sees himself stepping up the ranks into the Wingless Sprintcar category and has his eyes set on making it to the big time of American Sprintcar Racing.

Daniel is regarded as one of the cleanest most respected drivers in the dirt karting scene. He is never seen punting people out of the way to make up spots and will always wait for the right moment. Everyone you speak to knows that this kid is destined for big things. Having won three NSW state titles and multiple club championships, the young kid from Western Sydney was then set to live out a childhood dream - drive a Wingless Sprintcar, on the big stage at Valvoline Raceway. Just a day after his sixteenth birthday (February 1st),

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Daniel was ready to hit the track. After a fist bump from Dad (Jeremy) and a few quite words, Daniel was finally out there.

To most people’s amazement, Daniel drove around the top of the racetrack on his opening night of racing, exploring parts of the track to find grip. He didn’t pass a car on the bottom the entire night, instead ran around the outside of them. He drove

from the back of the pack to finish 17th in his opening feature race.

hours out west to Gilgandra and drove from last to second in the 30-lap feature. This was his first ever podium finish. Now as if that wasn’t enough, Daniel backed it up a few weeks later winning at Nowra. In Daniel is backed by a strong crew, team, and a fam- typical race driver fashion, Daniel felt he could have ily who have supported him ever since he started got more out of the car even though he went on to racing. Father Jeremy takes the reins on race nights take the win. There’s no wonder why this kid has a and is in the workshop during the week. Mum burning desire to be the best. At the time of publiStacey sits in the stands, with her heart in her cation, Daniel has gone on further to rack up two mouth, as she watches her young son tearing more podiums, a third and second at Gilgandra and around the racetrack strapped into a V6 Wingless Lismore over the Easter long weekend. Four podiSprintcar. His two younger brothers, Luke 14 and um finishes in seven races, yeah that’s not a bad Andrew 11, pitch in and help out on race nights, strike rate so far. however they both hope to follow in their older brothers footsteps as they compete in Dirt Karts looking to further enhance their own racing caDaniel has said that the start of his career has so far reers. Daniel works closely alongside team-mate gone to plan and is already expecting himself to be and lady racer Ashleigh Jack. Ashleigh is also trying a continuous front runner next season. to make her own mark within the sport. Ashleigh has been racing for a number of years in Dirt Karts Daniel will continue to race in Dirt Kart’s whilst runbefore stepping up into the Wingless ranks at the ning in the Wingless. He has his sights set on big start of this season. Ashleigh has had some great performances and even got her Mother Alana out things; hopefully to one day make it over to America. Daniel mentioned, “410ci (Sprintcars) over in to the race track at the start of February as Alana America would be nice one day (laughs), that would normally can’t stand the heart in the mouth stuff. be my ultimate goal.”

In just Daniel’s second ever meet, he traveled six

Story & Photo’s by Brian Van De Wakker

If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that was Sammy Swindell I saw at Nyora Raceway last month. This beautiful period correct copy of Swindells’ 1986 TMC Challenger is actually owned and driven by Larry Fitzpatrick and is spannered by speedway and drag racing legend Graham Hussey and was part of the Vintage Sprintcars display. Pic by Kieran Swanson—Pirate Media.

HIGHLINE HOT SHOTS Dale Walsh has had a stellar year in the Super Rods with the most feature wins in the division, but this night at Avalon as support to the opening night of the Sprintcar Easter Trail was not one of them after he broke the front axle and went A over T. Pic by Brett Swanson—Pirate Media.

I

s there a better way to take your first divi- me there because I can’t tow yet (due to licence sion feature win than to do it in a Victorian restrictions). I’m trying to save up for a house as Championship event? Probably not! well so that will constrict my racing and dad and I will probably alternate the car next season.”

First year apprentice cabinet maker Michael McDonald did just that recently when he held off Dad is actually the reason Michael is even raca stellar field to win the 2014 Victorian Super ing the car in the first place.

Rod Championship at Darlington’s Mid-Western “Dad raced fender benders about 25 years ago, Speedway. and then I raced junior sedans for about four The 18 year old in just his first season of Super years before having a year off,” Stated McDonRod racing beat a field of former champions ald. “Dad then brought the Super Rod and and feature winners to win the prestigious event raced last season. I never wanted one, dad and to put himself in company with a selected wanted one. I never wanted to race one, I wantfield of drivers whose first win has come at State Title level.

Ken Veal, father and financier of Sprintcar racer Jamie Veal produced a similar feat when he took his one and only Sprintcar feature in a Victorian championship. Amazingly Veal was leading the corresponding event the following year but fell short before ending his career without adding another win to his tally.

In the case of McDonald, who hails from Mailors Flat in rural south west Victoria, this is also a slight, but unlikely possibility as the real threat exists that at seasons end the youngster may have to vacate the seat in favour of his father Jeffrey from whom he took over the seat.

“There is the possibility that I won’t do a lot of racing next year,” explained a very level headed teenager. “With the cost of racing and everything else – I’m trying to save up for it. I try to pay for it all myself. I don’t want mum (Kathy) and dad to pay for it all, although dad has to tow

LAANG 2009

ed to go to Formula 500’s after the junior sedan.”

the car from top to bottom during the intervening week and aided by former State Champion Matt Clark was able to come up with a car that “After a while watching dad race the Super I de- meshed perfectly with the track and the kids’ cided I wanted to have a go and so I took over driving style. for this season,” McDonald continued.

While McDonald himself admitted the track was And so it was that McDonald was on a path to a bit of a one-laner by the time the feature make history as the first rookie to win the state came around he still had to pass cars to get to title in more than 40 years. the front. When front row starter and engine builder Jason Grayland was nudged from beArmed with the ex Paul O’Shannassey hind and ran wide on the first lap both Grant Daihatsu Charade bodied M&J Custom built Stansfield and McDonald slipped past and then chassis, McDonald was off and running in a bit shortly after McDonald also managed to work of an up and down first season. Just a week prihis way past Stansfield into the lead. or to the title however, McDonald had a bad run at Laang, the track where he is also the vice“I just tried to keep the car on the pole line and president, so the confidence coming into the drove the tightest race I could,” McDonald said. event was not great especially when he was “I was just waiting for someone to poke their laid up from work with an illness leading up to nose under me and come through, but no one the prestigious event. did.”

Regardless of his son’s ailment Dad went over

McDonald went on to record the historic win

ahead of pre event favourite Dale Walsh, Stansfield, a fast finishing Shaun Walsh and Michael Coad.

“When I won I thought how cool is this but I really didn’t know what to think,’’ said the modest youngster. “It’s not something you think about, it just happened.”

For those of you reading this that have never seen Super Rods, you don’t know what you’re missing. Essentially they are a steel sprint car frame with a quick change diff and a 350 cubic inch motor and a fibreglass body hung over them. With no wings to restrict them, they are strictly old school, back ‘em in speedway.

The other thing they are, is hard, fast, close racing. Just some of the aspects of Super Rods that the McDonald family enjoys.

“The racing is close and hard and the people, the club, are just fantastic,” related McDonald.

As an added bonus, there are probably 10 tracks within a 2 hour drive from home, which is about 10kms from Victoria’s south west epicentre of speedway – Warrnambool.

Long term, young Michael harbours dreams of running a Formula 500 or even better, a Sprintcar, but in the meantime will settle for any races he can get in the family’s Super Rod. “These cars are a little bit cheaper to run than a Formula 500 with your only real costs, except for accidents, being the cost of methanol and oil.” concluded McDonald.

Proudly running Victoria 1 @ Avalon.

The team celebrate the ďŹ rst of hopefully many feature wins and Victorian Championships.

With the aid of his family, including his sister Hannah, and sponsors, McDonald is hopeful of racing as much as possible next season but is level headed enough to know that racing isn’t everything and if this title remains his only Super Rod feature win then so be it. But I doubt that very much.

With the great support of his employer and sponsor South West Kitchens, Adzweld Fabrications, Inaction Photos, Hammonds Paints, Dingo Auto Sports, Tom King Signs and M&P Wines Agricultural Contracting, this unassuming young man will surely grace victory lane again.

Hamilton 2010

Bunbury Sedan Maestro Brad crown and fifth late model sed Australian Late Model Championship – Borderline Speedway, Mt Gambier, South Australia.

One Mans Slanted Views.

By Warren “Pocket Rocket” Bishop *Brad Blake is a dead set legend. A superstar of Australian speedway. Can anyone even remember him not being competitive?? Once again, he was amongst the top 5 fastest cars all weekend. Even with a little bad luck (flat tyre in a heat), he never gave up. Still made the dash, but didn’t just settle at that.... passed 3 cars to start out of P3 for the feature. Then he drove his way to the front. Didn’t rush his passes. Just sat & waited. Without doubt, the best Late Model driver in Australia, on that weekend, won the event.... Funny how the cream always rises to the top.

Best part is, after a couple of tough years (outside of speedway), which brought about a premature retirement, it’s great to see him back enjoying his racing again. He’s in the best equipment he’s ever had and it appears as though there is still some fire in the old dog’s belly. *Borderline Speedway is a great track and a great facility. This was my first trip there. I’ve been to probably 60-70 different venues

Blake takes his sixth national dan championship @ Borderline across the US, NZ, East & West Coast Australia and that little place would rate right up there. Kwinana is obviously a cut above the rest for a complete facility, but having cost the WA tax payers some $20 odd million, so it should be. But as far as a club operated facility, Mt Gambier is a great venue. The track isn’t much different in size to my home track in Geraldton (but still larger than some in the US), and it’s banked. Good spectator viewing, good spectator facilities, good pit area and facilities, obviously the wetter climate helps, but the grass is such a nice addition. *The east coast late model guys have definitely lifted their game. At times, in the past, when the WA guys have headed east, there has been a major difference in both talent and equipment. However, that gap is closing.

There is some real nice gear over there now and some of the guys are really starting to get on top of the way these cars need to be driven and adjusted. This doesn’t just benefit Late Models, but it benefits speedway, as a sport, which has the flow on effect of benefitting individuals and their racing efforts. *A highlight for me (although I shouldn’t joke about something that could have been quite serious), was seeing one of Australian Speedway’s biggest media men. The guy that always has the most to say. Is quick to bag anyone out. Knows everything there is to know

about speedway, how to run an event, how to promote an event etc etc...... get backed over by a late model, because he was too busy talking on his phone and not paying attention to what was going on around him while wandering around the pit area. Good job David Tapp!!! *Speaking of promotion... was there any? Granted I only got into town on the Thursday, but I didn’t see a poster in a shop window, no race cars on display, didn’t hear any radio adverts. Maybe I missed them??? Seems the crowd must have too, because there was bugger all in the stands. This was really disappointing. Not quite sure what happened there, but when you’ve got one of the biggest speedway events of the year, you’d think there would have been more of a buzz around town.... a little more atmosphere.

This page (below)—Brad Blake in action early on. Following page (right) —Blake’s fiercest rival and fellow pre-title favorite Craig Vosbergen had a weekend to forget, even rolling over in heat action. To his credit he charged on regardless—never say die.

*Cameron Waters is a great addition to the Late Models. Obviously with the popularity of V8 Supercars at the moment, to have a young up and comer like that, wheeling one on a regular basis has to be a good thing, complete with his corporate backing. And the guy has obviously got some talent. I’m guessing he

hasn’t done too much dirt racing and even less late model racing, yet was more than competitive all weekend. Got faster each time and didn’t cause any wrecks. Hopefully he sticks around. *I was a bit disappointed “Revvin” Ron Pyne was a no show. Apparently his son was getting married the same weekend. So that leads to my obvious question.... What were they thinking? It’s not like they haven’t been around speedway long enough to not realise this. *Another highlight for me (and no doubt for many) was seeing Darren Kane make his big show late model debut in the much publicised Dominator by Boettcher’s late model chassis. Now I’ve met Darren before & spoken to him many times on the phone, but this was the first time I’d seen him drive. Well, it’s safe to say there is a reason why he is the most successful super sedan driver at the moment.... man can that dude drive a race car. Quite possibly the most accurate and consistent driver I’ve seen outside the US. Quit dicking around with the super sedans Darren. You’ve won all there is to win in that class. Come race late models, a new challenge, maybe run some in the states.... you ARE good enough. *The Boettcher/Knight designed and built late model (pictured below dicing with Darryl Grimson).... very nice car. Innovative ideas, very high quality work-

manship and obviously a lot of forethought put into how to potentially be able to make it commercially viable. Certainly lacks for nothing, including pace (although it might lack for an engine, for a short time, after the title).

*The timing system.... or lack there-of. What happened to the timing system?

Every time there was a restart, it was an absolute shemozzle trying to sort out the starting order. Did the timing system not work? Was there no back up in place (manual lap counters)? I don’t know. *The Oldfield’s. Yes I’m involved with their racing and yes we’re mates blah blah blah. But there is no denying those guys are hard core racers. They can get up on the wheel and man handle a car like few others. Two cars entered, both cars start off the front row. And over the whole weekend, be lucky if a dozen rivets were used between the two cars to repair them from any damage.

In comparison some guys would have been using more rivets than they used fuel. *Daryl Grimson. Debuts a brand new car and finishes on the podium with barely a scratch. That guy knows how to turn left and left again. Still can’t make it to a driver’s meeting on time though.

*Roll overs seemed to be the theme. I’m not sure if it was some kind of extreme sport variation. Three on one weekend.... until then I’d only seen three late model roll overs all up (Billy Drake, Brian Shirley, & AJ Nylander). *Craig Vosbergen was probably my let down of the event. Has the gear, the experience and the ability, but they didn’t all seem to go out onto the track at the same time, each time, until the feature race. We all have bad weekends, but his was a shocker. If he could have just started in the top six there might have been a whole different story to tell. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

To top it off he was too tight to make a bid at the Calcutta too. *I think Brad Ludlow did a cylinder head service and an engine rebuild between heat races. Not really, but he was constantly working under the bonnet and covered in engine oil. * The guy Robertson (finished 3rd or 4th) (pictured below) & the guy running the yellow & purple car that rolled over in the feature (sorry, I don’t know their names). They were both fast all weekend. *Onto the stewarding.... fark, where do I start?

If you make a decision, stick to it. Even if it’s wrong, stand your ground. Once you let the driver’s over rule you once, you’re buggered... it becomes a free for all. Every time there was an incident, one of the effected parties deemed it their right to pull up and have a meeting with the officials about the decision.

Chief Seward, grow some balls. Driver’s, pull your heads in. Accept the decision of the umpire. You only make the whole sport look stupid by pulling up and whinging like a four year old. And arguing over who is last and second last, hold the whole show up.... who gives a sh*t.

Driver’s should not be given the opportunity to argue. If a driver pulls up to have a meeting with the officials, get the tow truck and drag them off. If they won’t move into their correct starting position, don’t hold the race up for them. Turn the green light on, let the race continue, they can receive a last place finish.

If there is an accident that requires a restart, someone MUST have caused it.

If, as a steward, you cannot decide which/who is responsible, send all those to the back (in their running order). This one is basic stuff, it’s even in the rule book.

Drivers, stop trying to jump positions on a restart. You know which car was in front of you, don’t be a w@nker and try to leap frog it. As “pops” from the TV

show “Pawn Stars” would say.... “be a man” and accept your position. All the drivers will think you’re a pr!ck at the time, but you will earn a whole lot more respect.

When are we ever going to get rid of the poxy witches hat restart. That is ridiculous. *The way Bert Vosbergen carried on in the spectator area during the feature, and then at the base of the stewards and commentary box after the feature was embarrassing. *The heat race between Jason Oldfield and Brad Blake dicing it out for the win was the race of the weekend. Very fast racing. Very close racing. But never touched each other.

Left to Right, Dave Robertson (3rd), Brad Blake (1st) & Darryl Grimson (2nd).

Previous page—Darryl Grimson All pics courtesy Geoff Gracie

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Wilby Park

estled up in the border wine growing region of Victoria is a little known town called Wilby. It’s just a dot on a map and unless you come from nearby Yarrawonga, you probably have never heard of it.

Even if you do come from Yarrawonga you may still not have ever heard of Wilby, the tiny town that is South of Yarrawonga and in between Tungamah and Peechelba.

The drag strip is only an eighth of a mile long and the speedway track is not dirt and it’s not an oval. The cars however, do have a speedway look and feel with no glass.

Wilby Park Motor Sports Inc. is an independent speedway club. They are

So what’s so special about Wilby? It’s the home of Wilby Park of course! So what, most country towns have a park. Well yes they do but not like this.

Everything about Wilby Park is different or unique.

For fifty years Wilby Park has been the home to a unique motorsports venue that caters to Speedway racing, Drag racing, Burn out comps and car shows. a non-profit club operated wholly by volunteers. They hold 8 speedway Wilby Park, started out life as a meetings per race season from Octotrack cut into a paddock on Dot Keeber to May inclusive and they also nan's local property known as hold 3 dedicated drag/burnout “Tipperary”. However when the padmeetings usually in October, Februdock needed to be ploughed the ary and May. For safety reasons search for a new venue landed upon there are no race meetings held durWilby Park and a fleet of eight ing the winter months. trucks were engaged in the building Speedway races are usually held on process, and the rest as they say, is the 3rd Sunday of the month during history.

Something for everyone race season, commencing at 11 am.

Sometimes changes are made to accommodate special events such as being able to have a Wilby Park display at the Australian Historic Motor Festival at nearby Winton Raceway.

resealed last May due to the flood damage. Now it’s nice and smooth and the times have dropped.”

For many years junior drivers aging from 12 to 16 years of age were part of the scene but are currently not The speedway racing division has five part of the action although Dunham classes including Formula Standard states they are hoping to restart the through to Modified Performance junior category again soon outlining the usual dilemma of trying to get everything going while trying to race as well.

The club is not restricted to Male drivers either with a number of female competitors.

The club will not tolerate a push’n’shove, crash’n’bash win at any cost attitude. They fiercely promote non-contact clean racing.

cars.

The Wilby Park track is basically a sealed circuit, which has a hairpin bend, back straight, dogleg, kidneys, sweeper and front straight. The track is just on 1 km long and some cars reach over 160kmh along the front straight.

As club President Darrin Dunham explained, “The racetrack itself was

St. John’s Ambulance and the local fire brigade are both in attendance at all meetings and the club prides itself on its low cost approach to racing. To have a car barred out ready to race plus the purchase of all the necessary drivers gear can be achieved on a very small budget, including drivers insurance, scrutineering and club membership.

Most of the speedway cars are made up of Fords and Holden's. Some are slightly modified, some are highly modified.

One of the more interesting machines is Dunham’s FC/Commodore (picture overleaf). This is an FC Holden body on a VK Commodore chassis with a Toyota 2.5 litre turbo twin cam 24 valve motor and 6 speed transmission. Dunham’s car also has a passenger seat so he can thrill (scare) anyone who’s game enough to hop in for the ride.

“I took a guy out one time and he said to me it’s just like Sushi.” Dunham related. “Just like Sushi? I said.”

Classes are based around the level of performance modification and cars are allocated to one of five classes according to their modifications.

Each class races in 4 heats of 5 laps with trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd highest point scorers at the end of the days racing for their particular class.

“Yeah, you have to try it once, but you don’t have to do it again.”

A relatively new class to the venue are the 650 quarter sprints.

Another car with a difference is a 1957 Ford Anglia with a turbo charged and stroked 6 cylinder Holden engine.

Wilby Park cars also get invited to other nearby clubs such as Nagambie, Moama, Rushworth and Corowa during the race season and some of those clubs’ cars compete at Wilby Park during the season.

If you like your V8’s these are well catered for also.

Wilby Park’s drag and burnout days for cars and bikes are very popular

too and competitors and spectators come from far and wide. Many of the cars in competition are “regular” family cars.

in their particular class are into the finals. Trophies are awarded for 1st and 2nd for both male and female competitors.

Due to the drag strip being only Rules of competition are simple 1/8th mile long it doesn’t cater for cars must have a tail shaft loop, an what you may call the “big bangers”. overflow bottle, return spring on throttle, no hubcaps and unlike the speedway section, no passengers are At a recent drag day there were 12 allowed. classes of cars and 4 classes of moWilby Park’s burnout pad is 15 metorbikes in competition. tres x 15 metres square.

Unlike elsewhere, there is no limit on the number of passes each competitor can attempt and there are no eliminations. There is just a continuous line of cars and bikes pairing up to go down the strip as many times as they possibly can, each one trying to clock up a better time than their previous run. At the end of the day the two competitors with the best times

To become the “burnout king” is a challenge that some people just can’t seem to resist and with smoke billowing from the pad and the smell of burning rubber it is very much a crowd pleaser.

The same rules apply for burnout

Photo’s this page and following—courtesy Inactionphotos.com.au

cars as drag cars.

At the end of the competition the driver judged to be the ‘burnout king’ is awarded a cash prize and a trophy.

Along with the drag racing and burn out events a show and shine is also part of the days activities aimed to cater to those with more pampered machines. All machines are judged & trophies provided.

Other clubs also hire the venue as part of their own happenings including Muscle Cars Australia who will again lease the venue on Melbourne Cup Day as part of their Leukaemia Fundraising Benefit. Last years’ event raised over $380,000.

The Yarrawonga Rod Run also ventured to Wilby Park last November.

Wilby Park is one of those unique things that happens in country towns, were the prime reason for doing it is to have fun. Whether it be speedway style road racing, drags, burnouts or just appreciating fine equipment, Wilby Park is probably one of the states best kept motorsport secrets.

Don’t think this is just some local sleepy hollow. The club are progressive and well in touch with the technological age as evidenced by their website www.wilbypark.com.au where you can obtain full contact details and event information, including car specifications, and view photo galleries.

Photo by Kieran Swanson—Pirate Media