Sun, 27th September, 2015 Winton Motor Raceway Campground, Winton to Stan Allen Reserve, Oxley (Malcolm’s Clubman Racing)

Another perfect morning – at last Spring is here though it is still cold first up in the morning but only needing the heater on low for a short time while we have breakfast.

Steve headed over to help Malcolm. I finished uploading my blog – takes a while, then headed around to the others. Chatted and watched the other races from pit lane.

Malcolm got ready to race and put his chinese coin and gold in his race suit with him – hope it gives him good luck. When Malcolm headed out to form up Kerry and I went down to the last corners before pit straight to watch. Videoed his first lap as he was on pole due to the reverse grid format for this race. He got away well and kept the lead for half the race but made a little slip up and the next guy got past him so he ended up 2^nd. At least he finished the race so the chinese coin did the job!!

Alan and Diane from Tassie texted so see where we are. They are planning some more tripping around Tassie.

We drove around to the van and made lunch then went back to the pits to congratulate Malcolm on a great race. I went for a walk up through the other pits to check out the other cars and trucks. I liked these cute cars – called Legends.

Lovely old Chev.

Into the general viewing area near the Canteen looking back over the track to the campground.

And another beautifully turned out Chevrolet – it had 1200 rear wheel horsepower – that should impress Jon!! Its number plate is KIXASS.

There were heaps of trucks on display. Steve and Malcolm joined me.

It is warm enough that we bought an icecream!! Good vantage point to watch the races from here.

Some NASCAR utes.

The cute little cars like the Aussie Racecars.

Then we checked out the racing Trucks.  They have a sticker –

“You race a V8? That’s cute! #truckracing”

They need bigger trucks to get them here and to bring all their spares etc.

Even a spare engine.

A nice Ford Mustang.

Back to the main pit area where Malcolm’s group are.

The trucks were out again and into it – biffing and barging – quite amazing how they hurtle about.

The guys are ready for the next race. Malcolm starts from the rear in this one.

Get ready.

Go.

Zoomed in as they head up the hill to the spectators.

Malcolm managed to pass one car and finish the race so all good.

Now to load up ready to go back on the Spirit of Tasmania back to Westbury tomorrow night.

Said bye to the other drivers and Mr PRB – might call in and see him in Sydney. Said farewell to Kerry and Malcolm again but we hope to see them again one day on the road somewhere. Hopefully we can take them to Cape York in a few years.

Back to the van to pack up and head off up the highway. Turned off the freeway after Glenrowan to find a camp area by the river at Oxley. Nice little spot but a lot of traffic coming back from the snow. Chatted with another couple, Liz and Bill, from Torquay, who are on their way home from Boulia where they watched the camel racing.

Another van pulled in – a bit fast stirring up all the dust!! A big fish jumped in the creek but didn’t show itself again.

The traffic settled down and we had a good night.

Sat, 26th September, 2015 Winton Motor Raceway campground (Malcolm’s Clubman racing)

4 degrees outside and 8 degrees inside though the days are getting warmer, about 20 yesterday after lunch. Another beautiful clear sky day with just a light breeze.

Steve walked over to meet Malcolm at the pits to get ready for scrutineering then qualifying at 11.30. I drove into Benalla to meet Kerry at the Bakery for a cuppa then a walk around the shops. A few nice novelty shops with lots of great gifts. Picked up some buns for lunch so back to the van to make lunch then drove around the track to the pits.

Stopped at the end before pit entrance to get a couple of photos.

We could cross pit lane and stand by the wall to watch the cars zoom by. Doesn’t look as exciting as when the V8s are here.

Watched the Clubmans qualify. There were a small group of little cars like Aussie Racecars that ran with the Clubmans – cute little things.

Malcolm got two laps in before a fan belt broke. Steve got his hands dirty.

Kerry and I headed back to the van for a cuppa and to relax under the awning watching the other groups zoom by. You can see most of the track from here.

The trucks were massive, noisy and made lots of smoke and dust. Enjoyed sitting in the sun with just a shirt on.

The campground is beside the windy bit which is a great viewing spot.

Drove back to the pits to watch Malcolm’s first race. Up on pit wall to watch. He was as the rear as he only got the two laps in qualifying so didn’t put in a good time.

One lap down.

Unfortunately another belt broke after the 3^rd lap so he had to retire. Kept the pit crew busy trying to work out why. Peter, the owner/builder of PRB Clubmans, watches on.

Such a shame as he was going really well. Hopefully they have found the issue but there are not practices so will just have to wait till tomorrow’s race.

Cleaned up and watched a few more races of the other groups.

Dinner tonight at Raffertys with some of the other drivers. Finer dining which was delicious and we finished with Flambe Alaska – yum yum. Gave Malcolm and Kerry a chinese coin with a small nugget of gold in the centre – hoping the coin will bring him some good luck for tomorrow. They thought it was great and Malcolm plans to take it on the track with him. Cool night again.