‘Packed out’ Winton Festival of Speed ready to rumble
The Victorian Historic Racing Register organisers “could not be happier” with how things are shaping up for this weekend’s Winton Festival of Speed.
Record entries, significantly improved ticket sales, sunny skies, live streams, and more mean everything points towards a successful Winton Festival of Speed.
It all starts tomorrow (Friday) where fans will enjoy free access as drivers take part in four 15-minute practice sessions each.
Saturday morning, the grids will be set before cars from all eras and championships go racing in the afternoon and throughout Sunday.
A big focus on the event is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first Australian Touring Car Championship round held at the fan-favourite circuit.
As a result, some stunning V8s from the seventies to the modern day, including Jamie Whincup’s 2014 Bathurst VF to Dick Johnson’s Hardies Heroes “in the trees” XD Falcon will put on a treat for fans.
There is also a massive variety of classics from open wheel to sports sedans and more.
Always a highlight is the 50K Cup, which is a showpiece of the event.
Held exclusively for Group N touring cars, a bumper field always fight for victory with last year’s battle as intense as ever with Peter McNiven’s Mazda RX2 scrapping to victory by a slender 0.0868s.
As attention turns to 2025, VHRR’s Ian Ross is ecstatic with how things are shaping up with people still trying to enter.
“We are 325 entries and more are trying to enter now because they have all heard about it being the best meeting,” he told Auto Action.
“We are literally oversubscribed with tin-top V8s. We have exhausted every marquee with them all over the skidpan. It is that packed out!
“It is going to be mega, especially with some of these legend cars that are coming.
“We have three days of 17 degrees and sunshine and even ticket sales are already four times higher than last year.
“There will be a huge amount of people with a great vibe and we could not be happier.
“We are providing an opportunity for cars to race that people have forgotten about.
“With now no V8s here it is Winton’s biggest meeting and the fans can mingle with the cars and drivers.
“There is no paddock entry fee with fans free to go wherever they like because people come to see the cars.”
Even before the 2025 event begins as it is expected to break many records, minds are already turning to how to make 2026 even better.
Organisers have put the call out to those who own old Touring Car Masters cars that are currently parked rather than racing to participate in a special SuperSprint.
Holden HQs are also being looked at with aim to get the entry total to beyond 350.
Both the Winton and VHRR Facebook pages are streaming the event, which will be widely available.
Friday fans can enter for three, while tickets for the weekend are available with single-day passes starting at $25 and weekend passes discounted at $50.
Image: Neil Hammond
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