Northam’s ‘Flying 50’ helps preserve a piece of Australian racing history

The streets of a West Australian nation city were reworked into an old-school race monitor in party of the storied historical past of Australian motorsport.

With roads closed and bollards erected, the streets of Northam, 100 kilometres east of Perth in WA’s Wheatbelt, grow to be a Nineteen Fifties impressed racetrack virtually in a single day, the place 1000’s of spectators monitor presen trial motion up related. 

Previous to the starting of purpose-built tracks akin to Wanneroo Raceway and the Collie Motorplex, automotive fanatics took to the streets of cities akin to Northam, Geraldton, Narrogin, Pingelly, Beverley and Albany. 

The one two around-the-town taste occasions that stay in Australia — Northam and Albany — are each in WA.

Northam Motor Game Pageant co-event coordinator Randle Beavis attributed the development’s long-term luck to the public’s herbal interest for days long past by way of. 

“We are continually showing people, as they migrate away from cities and move to country regions, which we know they’re doing … that this is what used to happen once upon a time,” Mr Beavis stated.

First run in 1952, ahead of being phased out upcoming that decade, the Northam Gliding 50 re-emerged in 1999.

Entrant numbers for the 2024 occasion, held on the weekend, have been the easiest since ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr Beavis stated protection was once a key property of the development’s continuation within the Wheatbelt.

“WA is unbelievably fortunate to get the only two events that the country has both in the same state,” Mr Beavis stated.

“We’ve been doing it for that lengthy that the government have realised that those crowd know what they’re doing, they may be able to do it safely.”

Mr Beavis said organisers with hopes of replicating the success of the Northam Flying 50 often had a critical eye on the event. 

“We have now been scrutinised, and we frequently get scrutinised, as a result of diverse motorsport teams at the east coast are at all times having a look to do these kind of occasions, they usually reserve getting knocked again,” he stated.

Ladies’s contribution

The theme of this year’s festival was Celebrating Women in Australian Motorsport. 

Automotive fanatic and first-time attendee, Janielle Andersen, showcased a 1934 Ford Coupe scorching rod she shared along with her spouse within the display and gleam festival.

Ms Andersen said the competitive spirit of V8 Supercars and Formula 1 increased her appreciation for all things automotive.

“I’ve at all times been the one that assists in keeping a prepared vision out for pristine automobiles at the street, automobiles I wish to personal and liked automobiles in the entire senses,” she stated.

“Being part of a automotive membership has given us the power to exit to other cities and assemble pristine buddies. 

Shire of Northam President Chris Antonio stated the development was once a point of interest of town’s calendar, bringing in masses of 1000’s of greenbacks to native companies. 

“It’s one of our four main cornerstone events of the year where people out of town travel to our shire and inject much-needed funds into our community,” he stated.

“I’ve already spoken to people who have booked their accommodation ready to come back next year which is a really good indication that we are doing something really special here.”