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WINTON TO HOST PORSCHE FESTIVAL IN 2022

Winton to host Porsche Festival in 2022 - Image: Supplied

By Bruce Williams

Winton Motor Raceway will host a brand-new three-day Porsche Festival in January next year, titled ‘Stutt’Fest’.

The Victorian venue will welcome Porsche’s of all eras and varieties from January 14-16, in a weekend of on-track competition and off-track entertainment.

Stutt’Fest is named after the German city of Stuttgart, where Porsche was founded in 1931, and has been founded by long-time Porsche enthusiasts and competitors Sven Burchartz and Steve Kepper, with support from Jodi Zylstra and Terry Knight.

A long-term partnership with the Benalla Auto Club will see the Winton Motor Raceway team manage the on-track component of the event.

Event founder Buchartz explained the origins and philosophy behind the event.

“This started as bit of a lockdown dream but as is always the case, has spiralled into something much bigger,” Burchartz said.

“What began as a concept to get some people together, hire the track and have some fun turned into something much more substantial.

“We have put a lot of the management team back together from our Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge days, and Stutt’Fest is based on that original ‘race your mates’ blueprint.

“Winton are on board to run the motorsport side of things on track, and we couldn’t think of a better place to run it.

“The facilities are perfect for what we want to achieve and the local region in the north of Victoria is crying out for an event like this that can attract people from Australia-wide.

“Stutt’Fest is a race meeting and there will be something for everyone who wants to compete; but it’s also a car display, a show ‘n shine, a tour of the local wineries and a chance to celebrate a mutual love of the brand.”

Competitive categories will include two grids of GT3 Cup cars, one for pre-991 generation cars and one for the more recent models including those featuring in Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia and Porsche Carrera Cup competition.

Furthermore, the event will run a Porsche 944 Challenge, IROC Challenge, a category for Classic/Historic Porsches and an open Sports Car category.

Benalla Auto Club CEO Chris Lewis-Williams was looking forward to turning Buchartz’s concept into reality.

“Winton Motor Raceway can’t wait to host Stutt’Fest 2022 in January next year,” Lewis-Williams said.

“We can’t think of a better way to dust ourselves off from the endless cycle of lockdowns and Covid stress by putting on a three-day festival for all things Porsche.

“When Sven came to us with the Stutt’Fest concept we were on board from the first phone call because the event concept and Winton as the venue aligns so well.

“Sven’s idea is a car race meeting with a Country Racing feel and we know we can deliver that!

“With the Northeast Victoria food, wine, craft beer and experiences all around Winton, we can see Stutt’Fest becoming an annual must do event for all Porsche enthusiasts.”

A Porsche ‘Show n’ Shine’/Concours competition and off-track entertainment will complement the racing.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to a local mental health charity.

Stutt’Fest is not officially sponsored by Porsche Cars Australia.

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