First, let me confirm that I am a petrol head, if it has an engine and wheels or floats and in some cases both, I am interested. I love the sound of a V8, the smell of “Castrol R” and the look of older vehicles. (my age group!). Trucks have a unique place in our world, without them we would have little in our shops, far less on our dinner tables, a very long wait for spare parts for our “little wheels” and virtually no petrol/diesel to run them. But truck drag racing is a comparatively new Motorsport, it is not only a great spectacle, but a lot of fun.
The
Gippsland Motorplex in association with
R. Pelz Haulage (a local haulage contractor), put on an event last Sunday (March 4th) with just that Truck Drag Racing. What a great event, something different, something new to the region and something that East Gippsland has the facility to stage at the
Motorplex in Bairnsdale. Stage it they did and on the day following the “Convoy for Kids” charity run so there were many trucks in the region.
The day started cloudy but warm, trucks, and a few blow in cars, started to arrive early, tippers, prime movers, full on racing trucks, with trailers, without trailers, a real “hotch potch”, they formed up waiting for their turn to run the 1/8th mile track, and a bit beyond. The crowd gathered on the hill to watch the spectacle, the thick black smoke pouring from the stacks as drivers did a pre-run burnout on the start line, yes a truck doing a burnout, you just have to see it. The nose was intense, as the rigs bounced with the sheer power going to the drive lines as they approached the start.
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| Pelz Haulage Tipper - ready |
A rolling start and then it was on, driver against driver, truck against truck, as they powered down the strip, gear changes slick, well a couple were missed, speed surprisingly fast, and then as they passed the line a cheer from their supporters. The crowd loved it, a real family event with plenty of families enjoying the spectacle, it was great to see the little kids jumping up and down as the trucks went past and then playing with their truck toys up and down the spectator mound.
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| Go Go Go |
The trucks were augmented by a number of cars, and a surprising quick Ford Territory, performing a number of runs down the track, and were Holden fans screaming when the Territory won against a number of Commodores. Will that competitive war ever be won I wonder? Then in a blink of an eye, we stood amazed at the sight of a coach which had been fully converted as a motorhome lining up for a run against a prime mover. Why you may ask, just for the fun of it, that's why. Every head was turned, every camera at the ready, every phone was up taking pictures and it did not disappoint only losing in the last few metres of the run, the gear changes were superb and the driver was willing his pride and joy on down the track.
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| Quick Territory |
That was indeed the spirit of the day, it was entertainment, fun, relaxed motorsport in a friendly yet competitive environment. All were interacting talking about their rigs, their cars and most probably some of their exploits, (a few tales there I’ll bet), the local Highway Patrol turned up and were happy to chat to all, a local driver training company (
SKIDZ) who use this facility to educate and train our young drivers were there all-day supporting not only the facility and the event, but young driver education, so vital to keep our kids alive and reduce road trauma.
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| Burnout Time |
Pelz Haulage provided a number of trucks and supported the event from start to finish, and the volunteers from the
Motorplex put on a great day of entertainment in motorsport, to them congratulations on a job well done.
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| Great Burn Out |
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| Full On Race Rig |
Finally, I have to mention food, there is a great canteen at the
Motorplex, I had to try something, although I had devoured a huge breakfast, (just to keep me going you understand), but at around lunchtime, feeling peckish (as I often do), I broke the rules and had some good old Dim Sims. I have to say they were some of, if not the best cooked dimmy’s I have had in years, fresh, hot, well cooked, not oily, just hit the spot. I had four…..OK, I tell a lie…six !!
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| Joe Bauman MLC, Colin Hayward (Motorplex), Ex Sen Ricky Muir. |
Next time you want to watch something a bit different expand your horizons, watch out for events at the
Gippsland Motorplex – Bairnsdale Dragway, be it Burnt-Out comps or Drag Racing it is a great spectacle, and the kids love it.
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| Be There |
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| Or be Square ! |
John Munns Mar 2018
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