Valvoline Raceway

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Posted 2014-01-04 by Anne Dignam ⇒ follow

The Valvoline Raceway, previously known as Sydney Speedway, is a wonderful venue.

As you get closer to it, you hear a certain buzz that will last the evening; it sounds like a swarm of bees!

Rev heads will love this venue!

I love my V8's, but after my first and definitely not my last visit to the Valvoline Raceway, I can assure you that even the not so enthused will be entertained throughout the day.

Upon entering the gates, the teams were showing off their vehicles, and were more than happy for us to jump in and see the workings of these sprint cars.

After getting in one myself, I can assure you they earn every bit of applause from me! There are so many blindspots and it's extreme driving at its ultimate best.

I can only dream of driving a sprint car!

Mini monster trucks and sprint cars are displayed, and hats, t-shirts and accessories are for sale, including ponchos, goggles and earplugs.

They have catering, but the cheapest was $5 for a bucket of chips or pie. There is also a bar van. You may bring your own food.

We met a wonderful, talented female driver named Halley Sayers (HSR 87).

HSR also had a spark plug competition - I won a round and received a promotional prize!

Many competitions and kids comps can be found around the different teams.

My suggestion is choose a team and ask people who they are barracking for. As a newbie, I had no idea how big some of these names were in the world of racing, but I'm learning.

American drivers come here to race and our Aussies definitely hold their own in each race.

The way they get their vehicles sideways into turns is amazing; I have so much respect for the drivers!

As an fan of motor sports, I have found my new hobby, watching sprint cars.

Heats and qualifying are spread out throughout the day, with a vehicle on the track at all times.

Monster truck rides around the track; yes, on the outside of the actual track, and run in between races as the warm up laps commence. There are also amusement rides for children, as well as fairy floss and super duper slushies.

Some events have the smash em up derbies, so check what's on before you go.

Watching the 4wd and quad bikes pushing the vehicles out is entertaining in itself and it's obvious everyone has fun on the track and off the track.

We went on New Year's Day and saw stock cars, legend cars and sprint cars. Personally my eyes never left the sprint cars; they drive at 130km/hr and to see the safety procedures when an accident occurs was impressive. A few spills but mainly thrills and squeals for the night.

The demolition derby was on the schedule but due to a tired child we retired at 9.30pm.

I took my son for the first time and he was sold, so we will be back time and time again, cheering on our new team 87, go Halley Sayers ! A female mixing it up with the males; there are one or two more female drivers, but Halley is my favourite.

I'm so looking forward to more extreme driving and mudslinging fun! Oh did I forget that? Yes, bring some clear glasses and long pants and a towel or rug to sit on; the dust and mud flys from the tyres as they buzz by, and you do get a little dirty by end of night, but that's all part of the fun, so don't come dressed up!