The 2025 Whitehaven Weeks of Speed officially opened in Gunnedah with the parade down Conadilly Street last Saturday morning.

The month of March will be dedicated to diverse racing related events such as billy boiling, drag racing, whip cracking and plenty more.

Gunnedah has already speeded through multiple events last weekend such as the show ‘n’ shine and hot rod display, speedway racing, the motorkhana and the clash of the sirens.

The initiative was started almost three decades ago by Gunnedah Shire Council’s tourist officer, Chris Ryan. A year later, Ray Darcey became involved.

“It used to be the Week of Speed, now it’s the Weeks of Speed with five full weekends in March,” Ray said.

“It’s pretty unique because each event … is organised by an individual, their own group of people.”

The committee helps by assisting to promote, run and sometimes finance the events. Ray wanted to acknowledge how lucky Gunnedah is to host so many competitions and entertainment in one month.

“These things don’t happen in the country areas very often,” he said.

“How lucky are we here in Gunnedah in the month of March to be able to go speedway racing, to go motorcycle racing at Balcary Park next weekend, go drag racing, and then go mountain bike racing?

“How much more than that do you want in a country area?”

PHOTO GALLERY: 2025 Weeks of Speed

Ray is well known in the racing circles as a former speedway driver but also the race caller.

“I think Greg [Petersen] at the 2MO said that I’ve got methanol in my veins, which is the racing fuel that they use in these drag cars,” he said.

Hence, it is only natural that he has great enthusiasm for all events scheduled and had a go at the motorkhana on Sunday.

“[The Weeks of Speed is] a great community thing,” he said.

“[We have] only got a small committee, but those people are very dedicated and very thorough in what they do.”

The events have garnered attention from around Australia. This year, Ray noted, there was a Sydney speedway driver who brought his own hot rod for the parade.

“I just encourage everybody to support these events. I realise that the weather is still hot, even though we officially finished summer … or supposedly did.”

The events have a myriad of sponsors including Whitehaven Coal and the continued support of Gunnedah Shire Council.

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