GME signs off Weeks of Speed with adrenalin speed weekend

It was a huge double-header event, organised by Gunnedah Motoring Enthusiasts, with help from others.

The Aerodrome half-mile sprint, saw the fastest time of the day set by Aden Williams in his brand new vehicle, an Audi RS5, with elapsed time of 18.51 seconds.

The second fastest was Aron Williams in a HSV Club sport, with a time of 19.11 seconds, and taking out third was Chris Ayres in a HSV GTS in 19.12 seconds.

All of the top three drivers were visiting from Sydney, and also at the Aerodrome event was a special appearance of 15 Hot Rod vehicles on display in Gunnedah.

The sprint event concluded at 2.30pm, with GME then conducting untimed practice runs at "Mount Porcupine" Apex Drive, for Sunday's hillclimb event.

An evening function Saturday at the Railway Hotel was most enjoyable, with committee member of the HSV Owners Club of NSW, Ian Williams, saying that of the other locations over the years of Aerodrome sprints, Gunnedah was the friendliest event and town, a statement also backed hard-charging Queensland commodore driver, John Gilbert, who shared very favourable personal experiences.

Sunday saw the Apex Drive Hillclimb at Mount Porcupine get off to a damp start. It was declared a wet event, with treaded tyres to be used. Some vehicles remained on trailers, and with COVID event cancellations, a reduced field of twenty vehicles faced the starter

Robert Richardson, Gunnedah local, outpaced the field to take top honours. He managed the fastest time of the day in his Mitsubishi Evo 5, taking just 34.10 seconds on the 850-meter ascent.

Ray Wedd of Coffs Harbour followed in 35.08 seconds, with John Gilbert of Queensland in third at 35.39 seconds.

Gunnedah locals, John Chalmers and David Garth in the type 3 over 2 litre class fought neck and neck in the five event runs, with GME club president, John Chalmers, getting his multicoloured commodore across the line 42.39 seconds to outpace David's Triumph's TR6 in 44.79, seconds in the wet conditions.

Event Secretary of GME, Geoff Hood said that the club is weary after the two, weekend events, thankfully no major accidents as drivers drove to the conditions

Many people chipped in over the weekend, to help at speed weekend events, and a special mention goes to members of Tamworth Drag Racing Association, Tamworth Sporting Car Club, Gunnible and Gunnedah RFS, Coates Hire and Daisy's water carrying, Gunnedah Shire and parks and gardens staff for the venue's presentation.

Whitehaven Coal's 'Weeks of Speed Festival 2022' sponsorship, which saw GME partly offset some event expenses

Apex Drive is scheduled for the bitumen roadway, up from the hairpin corner to be resurfaced in coming weeks, with this maintenance expected to further enhance the venue.

The Gunnedah Aerodrome will soon to undergo a state and federal government grant funded maintenance and upgrade. The GME will watch with interest these exciting additions to fantastic facilities.

The weekend motorsport events of GME booked out two half motels, and with other events on the weekend such as the dog show and country music, there was not a motel room available last weekend in Gunnedah from reports.

GME is looking forward to the Gunnedah NSW state round hillclimb on September 2 and 3, which will see three times the entrants and many high-performance vehicles visit Gunnedah

Recent event results will be put up on GME Facebook page.

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