It was full throttle at Winton Motor Raceway at the weekend as crowds were wowed with a spectacular collection of cars and bike.
From the moment the gates opened at the 46th Annual Historic Winton, at 8am, on Saturday there was a buzz around the paddock as spectators and racers intermixed.
Drivers were more than happy to strike up a conversation with anyone about the stories behind their automotive machines.
One such driver was Peter Turnbull, who built and started racing his first car in 1969.
Some 15 cars and 54 years later Turnbull still loves getting out on the track.
Turnbull built his latest car during the COVID-19 lockdowns from 2020 to 2021.
“It’s brand new, it’s only the second race meet it’s had,” Turnbull said.
“It’s called, ‘The COVID Lock-down Special’.
“This is a look alike of a ’50s Indianapolis roadster of about 1955-1956.
“Everything (about the car) is for excitement ... low-speed excitement.
“I like building them, (cars) as I like racing them.”
After Turnbull got out on track at the weekend, the 76-year-old said his car building days were behind him.
A passing of the torch might be in the works as his son was also racing his father’s cars at the weekend.
For visitors without a need for speed there were a number of historic displays and automotive parades.
Donald Swanson travelled from Sydney with his CycleKart which he said was only one of two that had been built in Australia to date.
A passionate boat builder, Swanson came across the CycleKart craze that swept America during the pandemic.
“At the moment, as far as I know this is the second CycleKart that’s actually running (in Australia),” Swanson said.
“The other ones (being built) are in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, so it’s very hard to get a club together, so I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I’ve got a mate who’s got a farm, so hopefully I’ll take it there and run it around.
“If someone gets a couple more together they say we’ll hire out a go-kart track somewhere, I’m happy to go, but I’m not there to race.
“I’m just there to hop in the car and go round and say that was fun.”
While Swanson sought relaxed fun at Winton, there were others seeking thrills.
Making the trip from Tasmania for the weekend, it was Lindsay Seabrook and Irene Baksheev’s first outing at Winton.
“It’s a bit of a learning experience this track” Seabrook said.
“It’s a bit greasy out there, the tyres are sliding around a bit, which will restrict how hard I can go.
“We need new tyres.”
Seabrook said driving the bike was the easier job of his and Baksheev’s, who has the task as passenger to balance the bike by leaning perilously close to the ground.
“I love it,” Baksheev said.
“I’ve done other motorcycle racing before, but this is all I’m doing at the moment.”
While most of us would be scared out of our wits, Baksheev said she did not feel frightened at all, just exhilarated.
While Winton Motor Raceway may have lost its place on the V8 Supercars calendar for this year, Historic Winton well and truly stepped up as 2023’s star event.
And even with cold and wet conditions on the Sunday, nothing could dampen the mood of the old-hands, trendsetters and thrill seekers.