Gnoo Blas Classic kicks off this weekend

The Gnoo Blas Classic – celebrating 65 years since the first Australian Touring Car Championship race at the Gnoo Blas racing circuit in 1960 – kicks off this weekend on February 7-9 in Orange, NSW.

The festival, put on by the Gnoo blas Classic Car Club has a huge program for motorsport lovers, which also involves a huge display of classic vehicles, motorbikes, trucks, even boats and caravans – everything on wheels!

The very first official outing for the Australian Touring Car Championship was held on the 3.75 mile circuit where an ATCC race was run under a set of national regulations with a 20 lap, 75 mile race held on 1 February. 

Whilst the race was dominated by three Jaguar Mark 1 cars won by David McKay, it was a Holden FJ driven by Max Volkers, taking the class win in the 2001 cc to 2600cc class.

The Gnoo Blas Circuit that hosted the first ever ATCC race

The 65 years of Touring celebration will mark the 27th classic car show at Sir Jack Brabham Park, with the show having grown from a small display in its beginnings to an event that attracts thousands of avid fans and classic machines to the area.

Whilst the official show will start on Saturday in the park area, Friday will see a formal parade through the streets followed by a free BBQ for the early comers before thousands of people from all over NSW and Australia flock in for the big showcase.

After the big showcase Saturday, there’s also some prestigious guests at the celebratory dinner, with Ray Berghouse – creator and publisher of Australian Muscle Car magazine – as the head guest speaker, as well as Colin Bond and Will Hagon.

Then on Sunday, people can also make their way to the coffee and cars meeting by the nearby Lake Canobolas where the weekend can wind down.

For more ticketing and event information visit the clubs website  https://gnooblas.com/annual-classic/

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