We’re two and a half weeks away from the end of the year, we’re still here and the action hasn’t stopped.

The recap of last round was published today, I am finding that I am having trouble with numbers for example #48 and #84 always gets me confused which is why I will be glad when the #41 Ford Thunderbird is back on track, so I don’t have that problem.

Richard White put out a call across Facebook for crew members to help with car preparation at Richard White Racing or just help out at the track even if the help is given occasionally and the response was fantastic with several people indicating an interest especially at NASCAR Australia AU.

Richard has two cars (#3 Chevrolet Lumina and #8 Chevrolet Monte Carlo) in operation with a third (#5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo) up for restoration, the #5 was in the hands of Max Dumesny and then Barry Blake so it is a car with a great history.

Drivers, take a chance on asking around for some help, somebody with the skills to help you may be living nearby and are able to help you out besides you never know, somebody may have a part that you need to get a car closer to the action.

Enthusiasm for Stock Car racing in Australia hasn’t been this high since the shortened 2002 V8 Stock Cars season which brings great excitement for the 2024 season as there is a queue forming for cars to be restored.

Got nothing to do on January 10, 2024? Then consider getting some laps in at the Thunderdome, the cost of the event by Drive Events Pty Ltd. is $99 plus an AASA day license if you don’t have one, you’ll run four laps plus the in lap and then pit before doing it all again for at least a total of five runs.

While there’s been talk that the organizers of past runs had ‘overestimated people’s desire’ to run at the Thunderdome, it has to be remembered that these runs happen during weekdays, January 10 for example is on a Wednesday afternoon, if it was on a weekend, the possibility of bookings would significantly increase so while people are eager, getting away from work etc. is the hard part.

Can you safely go full pace around the place? Not likely, it is best advised to watch videos of previous driving events around the track to gauge what would be a safe speed, you can also ask the drivers at Stock Cars Australia who had done parade laps around there in August this year.

It appears that the Calder Park Pace Car that is an XR8 has made a reappearance, it had last made an appearance on AUSCAR Racing back in 2019.

Feel free to drop a line anytime during this off-season, the inbox and comments etc. are always open.

Thank you for taking the time to read the latest news and information in the Australian Stock Car world.

Fast Fact: The V8 Stock Cars set fire to the grass at Calder Park during Race 3 of the last round of the season back in November 2001.