MOTORSPORTS is racing back into Swan Hill this weekend, as Sonic Speedway’s 2023-24 season opener roars into action.
Races across six classes will take to the speedway at Chisolm Reserve this Saturday evening, with racing to begin at 5pm.
Swan Hill Speedway committee president Hayden Glare said hard work over the off-season had prepared the track for a season of close racing.
“We’ve put in a lot of work over our off-season,” Glare said.
“We’ve even re-banked the track, which should help us put on a good show for those in attendance.
“Changing the track isn’t something that you usually do often.
“We usually just rip it open, put some water into it and go again.
“But we’ve reshaped it a little bit, put in a little bit more clay.
“It should make for even better racing.
“Here at Swan Hill it can be a little slick on the bottom of the track and there’s often not too much high racing.
“Other than the track, we’ve tried to hold on to the same sort of things people usually expect from Speedway, but Coburns Earthmoving has done a lot of fantastic work for us.
“At the end of the day, those changes are made for the spectators out on the bank, because they’re the ones we need to put a good show on for.”
And the spectators are set for a good show this weekend, with a range of classes in action this weekend, including compact speed cars, VSC sports sedans and VSC Standard Saloons.
Glare said the opening event was set to provide excitement, especially through the series rounds being held by the VMPA, Unlimited Sedans and Wingless Sprintcars,
“This weekend has a good mix of sedan classes and also the open wheel, which always brings some great racing to town,” he said.
“We’re really pleased to have VMPA come along this year to have a series round, as well as wingless sprints which will also have a series round.
“We’re expecting some pretty good numbers, with around 60 competitors.
“We get people from the middle of New South Wales, and from the other side of Melbourne – they really come from everywhere.
“There are a lot of exciting things happening at the speedway this year.”
Glare said the speedway saw a lot of families coming through the gates throughout the season and there was good reason for motorsport fans to head down early.
“It’s a lot of fun for everyone really,” he said.
“We usually have Sonic the Hedgehog in attendance but he’s unfortunately away this weekend.
“Before the race meet people are able to head down into the pits before 4.30pm to have a look at the cars.
“Most of the time drivers are happy to let you have a look and sometimes even sit in the car.
“If people get in a bit early before the races, you can grab some stickers and stuff as well.”
Although his love of the speedway stemmed from the thrill of being behind the wheel, Glare said a strong Sonic Speedway provided sweeping benefits to the town.
“When the speedway is on, accommodation gets booked out and people spend money,” he said.
“It’s not just the speedway that benefits from this – it’s a fantastic thing for the whole of Swan Hill.”
