Enduro Season At Winton
On the weekend of December 6-8 Winton Motor Raceway will host to not one, but two endurance events, the Ken Leigh HQ 4 Hour and the David Lowe Memorial Excel Enduro Cup.
Both categories boast quality entries, so if you like two driver long distance races, then this is an event you will not want to miss.
The origins of the Ken Leigh HQ 4 Hour can be traced back to the early 80s, when a 3-hour HQ Holden race was held at Calder Park Raceway. This was at a time when HQ Holden Racing in Australia was in its absolute prime.
For the last 25 years Winton under the Australian Auto Sport Alliance, the ‘Nation’s Action Track’ has hosted the enduro over three days.
Friday, Day 1 is practice, Saturday features a warm up, qualifying and Race 1, while the third and final day begins with a warm up before the second and final encounter.
The event at Winton has proved popular over the years due to its laid-back nature, but also the unique challenges that the circuit poses.
This year a total of 32 drivers are entered to compete in 16 cars, all the big names are entered. Drivers include Ryan Woods and Andrew Magilton who will notably be teaming up, Ken Wright, Steve Banks, Gavin Ross, Rod Raatjes and Brett Osborn just to name a few.
Former HQ driver Keven Stoopman will be taking part as well as Excel front runner Jett Blumeris.
Like the HQs, the Excels schedule will be run over three days, with Friday being a practice day.
On Saturday both drivers qualify, making up the order for the Top 10 Shootout. In the afternoon a 90-minute race is held and features a compulsory timed pit stop for a driver change.
On Sunday the format is replicated, Qualifying, Top 10 Shootout and 90-minute two-driver enduro.
Drivers include Formula Ford front-runner Kobi Williams, TCR Australia driver Ben Bargwanna, as well as Excel front runners Jack Carpenter and Blake Tracey.
Entry to watch the event is free.
Ken Leigh HQ 4 Hour Entry List and Event Schedule
David Lowe Memorial Excel Enduro Entry List and Event Schedule