Members of the public will be able to check out some of the cars that will compete in the Valvoline Winton 300 during the Benalla Festival street party on Friday night, 6 November.
An assortment of race cars competing in the event will be on display in the main street of Benalla during the street party, from around 5:00pm to 9:00pm, while a number of drivers will also be on hand to sign autographs and meet the fans.
The Winton 300 is a traditional annual endurance race in the 1980s and early 90s, before it was resurrected in 2011. It is open to a wide range of cars, which are allocated into divisions for the race based on the lap times they achieve in qualifying, and all teams are required to have at least two drivers and must make compulsory pit stops.
Since 2013, the Winton 300 winners have been awarded the Michael J. Ronke Memorial Trophy, honouring the former Winton Raceway CEO who was a passionate supporter of grass-roots motorsport.
The finish to last year’s Winton 300 was truly spectacular, with Nathan Jess/Matthew Thomson (Future Racer) overtaking Michael Caine/Gerry Murphy (Mazda RX7) for the lead, and the win, on the race’s 100th and final lap.
Winton Raceway Operations Manager and acting CEO Wayne Williams said the 300 has become one of the most hotly-contested events on the Winton calendar.
“The Winton 300 has become like the Bathurst 1000 of club-level motorsport, but the best thing about it is that almost anyone can participate,” Mr Williams said.
“We have received more than 60 entries for this year’s event and because it is an endurance race, all teams require a large pit crew.
“Some teams are travelling from as far away as Queensland to race in this year’s Winton 300, and it will bring great benefits to the local economy.
“It’s great to have the support of Benalla Rural City Council and a number of local businesses who have been active in organising the street party, and it’s going to be a great chance for people in the community to have a look at the cars up close and have a chat to the drivers who will be competing.”
Practice, qualifying and the Top 10 Shootout for the Winton 300 will be held on Saturday, 7 November, followed by the race on Sunday, 8 November.
