WINTON ROAD TRIP // CIRCUIT CLUB & EXE CREW TRACK DAY

It always amazes me the power that cars can have over people. Their ability to draw people with completely different views and values in life together under one united banner of car lovers.  Last weekend saw a group of Sydney siders endure nine hours, each way, of highway driving to head to a jointly organised track day by Circuit Club and EXE Crew at Winton Raceway on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia. Upon arrival we where instantly welcomed, no one knew who we were or what we were about, but with cars as our catalyst, conversations where easily started. Although this was just a friendly track day the interstate rivalry was still present with drivers wanting to put down some seriously fast lap times and I wanted to produce some amazing imagery with a blank canvas.

Just to set the scene, Winton raceway is located approximately 2 hours drive from Melbourne Australia. The circuit is approximately 3.1Km long and the lap record for a V8 Supercar is 1:23 and we were lucky enough to experience absolutely perfect weather all weekend... [read more]

The fastest car of the day went to Sydneysider George Vergotis in his turbocharged Mazda MX5(Miata) with a lap time of 1:33.24. I got the pleasure of a passenger ride in this beast and it’s an amazing car.

This day was extra special with Renault Car Club of Australia holding their annual meet up with over 25 Renaults present. I’ve never really liked Renaults but I did enjoy the dedication of each owner and most of the owners were not holding back on the track. I love how these things lift the rear inside wheel on harder cornering.

One of the Renault drivers recently acquired the latest model Clio. It’s defiantly an improvement on the old one.

Another impressive car was the “On The Run” backed WRX Sti which was putting down consistent 1.40 lap times until he split a fuel line which caused an engine fire. It was hard to stand there and watch a car going up in flames, especially after the owner had used his own two incar fire extinguishers.  All the competitors on track saw this and stopped and happily handed over  there fire extinguishers. Thankfully the car didn’t burn to the ground.

Fellow Sydney sider Daniel Davis was out in a MX5 Mania built MX5. Apparently the same car recently competed in Targa Tasmania a few weeks back. This car is the perfect package with a stock drive train for reliability with only the important bits modified such as suspension, tyres and brakes.


Like most track days in Australia you get your fair share of EVOs and WRX putting down fast lap times with minimal mods. There currently the track car of choice.


Another popular make at this event was the trusty Hondas. With a bunch of Integra Type R’s and S2000s.

The most exciting groups to watch was actually the slowest group with a bunch of really good drivers driving underpowered cars to help improve their driving. Here is one of the founding members of EXE crew driving his Micra.
Let’s just say the 9 hour drive each way was worth it. I hope to get back there very soon.

More photos of the day can be found here


Official times can be found here

 
Photo/Editorial: Matthew Mead