Idle Torque: Field day in Dowerin
There's a stereotype attached to classic car events that involves owners sitting next to their vehicles on lawn chairs drinking tea from a Thermos while sporting a ridiculous moustache.
There are some who perpetuate this image and that's lovely, but there's so much more to WA's bustling old-car scene.
This weekend there are at least three driving events for older cars and the Wheatbelt town of Dowerin will be the focus of two events today and tomorrow.
Both Dowerin events will be part of the Dowerin Motor Festival. Today, the Dowerin Car Club will host a dirt superkhana, which sees cars of varying age and ability tackle a tight course on gravel.
Tomorrow, Theo's Run to Dowerin will start at 8am from the Swan Park Leisure Centre in Midvale, with the cars expected to arrive in Dowerin at 10am for a display in the town's main street.
Other club events include tomorrow's British Auto Classic at Pinjarra Paceway, the All Ford Day Cruise and the Datsun 240Z and 260Z Register's Z Day.
Further details for all events are in Motor Moments.
OWNER RESPONDS
Shortly after I filed last week's column about the sizeable collection of rusting classics in the South West, I heard back from the collection's owner, who was only too happy to tell me more.
John "Doc" Scott is a retired mechanic who has spent the past 50 years collecting his eclectic bunch of Borgwards, Benzes and Lancia Betas.
He also has an affinity for classic buses, which he has a number of on his property.
Mr Scott has a strong history in speedway competition, which he gave up seven years ago.
He is currently restoring a Citroen Traction Avant and, in case you're wondering, it's not the one pictured here.
Perth enthusiast Rhys Mitchell, who himself has a gloriously wacky collection of classics, also contacted me in response to last week's story.
He said Mr Scott was a long-time family friend who had an almost magical ability to make old cars run perfectly, but who also knew what those cars were worth.
More power to you both.
MOTOR MOMENTS
TODAY
AEM Dowerin Dirt Superkhana, Dowerin. Phone 0417 019 808 or visit dowerincarclub.com.
TOMORROW
British Auto Classic, Pinjarra Paceway. Phone 9586 1010 or visit eventassist.org.au.
Datsun 240Z and 269Z Register Z Day, Belmont Sports and Recreation Club.
Phone 0417 182 230 or visit wazregister.com.
All Ford Day Cruise. Visit afd.asn.au or phone 0418 912 886.
Theo’s Run to Dowerin, departing Swan Park Leisure Centre, Midvale, at 8am.
Phone 0417 019 808 or visit dowerincarclub.com.
NOVEMBER 4
Rotary Italian Car Day, Mulberry on Swan, Caversham.
Phone 0412 108 011.
All Triumph and Standard Day, Stirling Square, Guildford. Phone 0488 033 191.
NOVEMBER 9-11
Perth International Historic Challenge, 1962 AGP 50th Anniversary event, Barbagallo Raceway. Visit wascc.com.au.
NOVEMBER 11
Maurice Brockwell Port to Whiteman Run, display at Wilson Park, South Fremantle, 8.30am to 10.30am. Phone 9249 9457.
NOVEMBER 16-18
WA Country Builders Great Southern 500, Perth, York and Albany. Phone 0448 211 411 or email ash@khhardware.com.au.
Narrogin Revheads Weekend, 20th Anniversary event. Visit narroginrevheads.com.au or phone 0428 288 511.
Send event details to acforro@gmail.com
