April 13, 2018
Organisers are hoping a big crowd will reward their efforts at the third annual Wondai Sprints this weekend.
Spokesman Kevin Krosch said 125 vehicles had nominated, proving the Sprints were now a popular annual attraction for drivers.
The challenge now was to increase crowd numbers to a level that would cement the event as one of the South Burnett’s most popular outings, maybe one day even matching the popular Leyburn Sprints in size.
Kevin said he “had a pretty good feeling” about this year’s roll-up, with Wondai accommodation venues reporting they were already booked out.
“The Wondai Showground is also getting a lot of calls, and the bookings are starting to spill over to Kingaroy and Murgon,” he said.
Tmed laps by entrants – around the special Wondai Industrial Estate course – will start at 8:45am on Saturday and 8:30am on Sunday.
The Shannons show’n’shine will also start about 8:30am on Sunday with prizes to be announced at 1:00pm.
The winners in the various Sprints categories will be announced at 2:00pm on Sunday.
Commentator for the weekend will again be veteran motoring journalist and motorsport guru Will Hagon.
Kevin has his fingers crossed that this year Graham Crittenden’s 1912 Model 61 Overland, nicknamed “Whitey”, will be able to do some laps of the track.
Graham, from Kingaroy, has owned the historic racer for 52 years and it was a static display at last year’s Sprints.
“I’m hoping we can get it on to the track this year,” Kevin said. “It is 100 years since its record Brisbane to Toowoomba run in 1918 of two hours 7.5 minutes.
“It also set the Sydney to Brisbane record in 1918 – 19 hours 38 minutes!”
Another vehicle which should attract attention is an ex-Edelbrock Mustang, built to race on US tracks.
The current owner has repainted it white with red and blue stripes as a tribute to another famous Mustang that used to grace Aussie circuits in the 1960s, owned by Ian “Pete” Geoghegan.
Kevin said committee members and volunteers had been working hard over recent weeks, pouring more concrete barriers and laying out tyre barriers around the course.
“We have an amazing group of helpers. They are just so good and get on so well,” Kevin said.
In fact, other motor sports committees were jealous.
“None of our volunteers think it’s hard work because they love it so much,” he said.
Congratulations Kevin, Ray and the Motors in Motion team on preparing the venue for what will be the third successful ‘Wondai Streets Sprints’. Best wishes for a safe entertaining event for our South Burnett Community.