SOME OF the most unique muscle cars in the Tweed Shire could soon be competing in a new time trial event around the streets of Lundberg Drive in South Murwillumbah, for Muscle@Murwillumbah (M@M) that’s set to take place in March or April 2021.
The brand-new time trial event was launched after the rescheduling of The Festival of Speed on Tweed to late 2021 and will introduce new classes of contemporary motor vehicles including electric/hybrid vehicles, that many in the community are calling for.
The event is being organised by Track Action NSW, a locally owned company with its base in Murwillumbah, headed by racing entrepreneur John Tetley, who is ready to go with the short course event to be conducted on closed public roads in the South Murwillumbah industrial estate.
The Weekly caught up with three local motoring enthusiasts including Kallum Blanchard in his monster FPV F6 Typhoon, Don Anderson and his slammed Lancer Evo 7 and Malcolm New with his slick FPV GT.
All three locals said they were “keen as” to enter an event such as Muscle@Murwillumbah and could not wait to get the event happening.
“I think it’s a great idea and I’m keen to enter,” Mr Blanchard, whose Falcon packs a punch under the hood.
Co-event organisers Dion Andrews, Michael Simmons and Allan Singleton said the demand for a modern time trial event was so strong they are
“confident the event will be an instant success”.
“Track Action NSW is affiliated with RACERS, the company enlisted to manage and accredit the event for The Festival of Speed on Tweed,” Mr Andrews said.
“M@M is being produced to fill the gap for enthusiasts who want to see later model vehicles compete on our streets.
“While vehicles of any make and model will be permitted to enter, the organisers envision a great selection of new and old cars with plenty of muscle.”
Mr Singleton said M@M has been designed to accentuate and compliment Speed on Tweed.
“John Tetley of RACERS hopes the two events will work together to attract car enthusiasts and benefit the area,” Mr Singleton said.
“With the rescheduling of Speed on Tweed until 2021, Mr Tetley saw a chance to run a smaller scale event with less disruption to the CBD, that would not only get a buzz happening for the future Speed on Tweed, but will also give our region a much-needed injection in a time that will hopefully be post COVID-19,” event co-organiser Michael Simmons said.
M@M is set to take place in either March or April pending further application processes with costs of around $75,000 to run the event.
A sponsorship application was recently lodged with Tweed Shire Council by the race organisers, who are expecting a positive response from the local councillors.
“This type of event has always provided a substantial economic boost to the area and will add to the marketing of the Tweed as a destination nationally and internationally,” Mr Simmons said.
“I am sure our local councillors will recognise the broad community appeal for an event that has been designed to incorporate local food, local producers and local musicians, who will all gain significant visitation and revenues from the event. The goal of M@M is to deliver an improved economic outcome for the town that spreads through the local community as a result of the event.”
Track Action NSW hope to make things easier and more cost effective for Speed on Tweed by having all the track furniture (infrastructure) constructed for M@M stored locally and available for future racing events.
“The weekend event is proposed for the Industry Central industrial estate at Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah and is proposed to operate a park and ride service for all spectators,” Mr Andrews said.
“Peripheral events are yet to be finalised but there are hopes for a night-time festival and Show ‘n’ Shine in Knox Park.”
The M@M team are speaking with local businesses and already have in principal support from several local businesses.
If you are interested in supporting the event, or would like more details, please contact the organisers via email on: info@murwillumbahmuscle.com.au
