Entries for the 2021 Victorian 6 Hour Relay remain open with spots to one of the biggest grassroot motorsport events still available to interested competitors.
Taking place next month, the event will see up to 50 teams made up of four to six drivers from around the country take on the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in a regularity style meeting.
While getting a car on the track is one of the major attractions to contesting the regularity, the activations and lead up to the event is often considered one of the most special parts of competing in it.
From the Saturday’s timed practice sessions and official time nominations to the Sunday morning’s pre-race ceremony which includes the national anthem and often flybys from the Royal Australian Air Force, the event is considered a must-do for competitors.
One of the event’s regulars and previous winners in Stewart Temesvary has been attending the event since 2011 and believes it’s one of the best on the calendar due to its atmosphere.
“There are many things that make this event great and keeps us coming back year after year,” Temesvary said.
“Firstly, it’s at Phillip Island which is just a fantastic circuit to drive on with all its flowing corners.
“Secondly, it’s a team event. Not just a driver against the clock, or between individuals with the fastest cars and the deepest pockets – it’s an event where any car or team has an equal chance of winning regardless of how fast or slow their car is.
“The event has a very challenging scoring system too, which requires teams to implement some sort of strategy to win. If you want to have success at this event, you must be mindful of how to score points. There is very little room for error, it’s a fine margin between glory and disaster which makes it quite fun.
“Of course, you don’t have to take it too seriously to have fun – there are plenty of people who attend the event just to get some time on the track and enjoy themselves, which is obviously a great part of the event, but it’s definitely one that feels special to win.
“On top of those points, the best thing about this event in my humble opinion is that it’s the closest thing to racing without actually having a racing licence. It’s great because there is plenty of overtaking and being overtaken.
“It’s just a really enjoyable weekend. With all the ceremony pre-event activities and all the different models of cars, it just feels very special to be part of it. I look forward to it every year because it’s one of the best organised and run events on the club level calendar.”
Starting on the Saturday, participants get hours worth of timed sessions where they can get an idea of their nominated times. The official event takes place on the Sunday from 10am-4pm AEST after the welcome ceremony.
The 2021 Victorian 6 Hour Relay takes place at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 31 July – 1 August.