The National Speed and Auto Tests return this weekend, with the Motorsport Australia Khanacross Championship the first to run in 2023.

Hosted by the Central Coast Car Club (Gladstone) Inc., the national championship will see 30 competitors take to Queensland’s Benaraby Motorsports Complex – one of the east coast’s strongest khanacross venues – for two days of competitive tests.

With a rich history in grassroots motorsports, the club is making most of the facilities at Benaraby, providing competitors with the opportunity to be challenged on both sealed and unsealed surfaces across the two days.

Saturday will see the drivers take on the sealed bitumen section at the Benaraby Driver Education Facility, while Sunday will move to the club’s two dirt tracks, with the club confirming a minimum of six and a maximum of 12 tests per day.

Eager to take on this year’s competition is last year’s Khanacross Championship winner Barry Nowell, who is returning to the series after taking his first title win at South Australia’s Mid Murray Motorplex.

Nowell’s win came after four attempts at winning a national championship, and he will be eager to defend his 2022 title.

Also featuring in this weekend’s line-up is defending Motorkhana champion Aaron Wuillemin.

Despite finishing in sixth at last year’s Khanacross event, Wuillemin’s back-to-back motorkhana wins in 2019 and 2022 put the driver in a good position to put up a strong fight against Nowell, making for what is sure to be a thrilling weekend of motorsport.

The round will also see nine junior competitors tackle the various tests, once again illustrating the importance of grassroots competition for young drivers.

Racing starts at 8:30 am on both days, and more information can be found on the Central Coast Car Club (Gladstone) Inc. Facebook Page.

The first round of the National Speed and Auto Test Championship takes place at Benaraby Motorsports Complex on 16-17 September.