Drivers put skills to the test at gravel Motorkhana challenge

DRIVERS put their car control to the test as the Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts hosted a successful Gravel Motorkhana at the showground.

The grassroots motorsport event attracted a mix of seasoned competitors, first-time entrants and spectators, driving in a low-speed driving challenge.

The event followed a demonstration Motorkhana and highlighted the club’s aim of introducing more people to affordable, community-based motorsport.

New and experienced drivers challenged themselves at the Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts event. Right: Competitors navigated a series of timed courses testing precision, vehicle control and memory. Photos: Danny Kannapinn.

Rather than focusing on outright speed, competitors navigated a series of timed courses marked by witches’ hats, testing precision, vehicle control and memory.

Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts event secretary Geoff Hood said the day achieved exactly what the club had hoped.

“It was pleasing to see newcomers to the event and motorsport enjoying themselves while honing their driver and car control skills,” he said.

“Several new competitors and spectators have joined our small club, which is partially why the event was put on.”

Competitors navigated a series of timed courses testing precision, vehicle control and memory. Photo: Danny Kannapinn.

Drivers tackled a range of course layouts, including the Straight Slalom, Open Slalom, Lazy Eight, Trefoil and the popular Plum Crazy course, which proved to be a favourite among competitors.

Experienced competitor Stacey Garth dominated the results in her newly acquired Hyundai Excel, claiming fastest time of the day, first in Class C and fastest female honours.

Kieran Collins took out first place in Class D in his 1985 Falcon ute, ahead of Joel Fleming in a Falcon XR6 ute, while Jaiden Trembath impressed in the family’s 1972 Holden Statesman.

The club is now preparing to host round 8 of the NSW Hill Climb Championships at Mount Porcupine on 12–13 September.

The local group aims to get more people intoo affordable, community-based motorsport. Photo: Danny Kannapinn.

Gunnedah first hosted a round of the championship in 1970, with club members now preparing the course and infrastructure ahead of the competition.

Locals are encouraged to get involved, either as competitors or volunteers, with catering and a courtesy bus to be available across the weekend.

For more information or to register interest, contact [email protected]