OVER 80 of Australia’s top off-road racers will make their way to Millicent this weekend for the annual Pines Enduro.
The Pines Enduro is one of the region’s premier events and committee member Mark Heemskerk said he expected a crowd of around 2500, on top of the 84 off-road racers competing.
“It’s a nationally recognised event and we get racers from far north Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria – from all over, including New Zealand,” he said.
Heemskerk said drivers will often have family, friends and a professional team on hand which means Limestone Coast hotels, eateries and other businesses receive a financial boost.
There are approximately 15 entrants from Millicent, Mount Gambier and the surrounding areas who will compete, with one notable competitor – Garry Turnbull – who was third outright in 2018.
At the event Turnbull will debut his new V8 powered Jimco.
Andy Murdock and Todd Lehmann will also represent the region, with Murdock gaining two outright wins since switching from a truck to a new Element buggy.
Meanwhile Lehmann will take to the track as the defending South Australian Champion in his Jimco.
On Saturday at 10am the racers will start the day with a prologue to determine the starting order.
The prologue involves racers going over sharp jumps and sweeping bends and the entertainment continues with short course racing.
On the short courses the racers compete in four-lap heats, going up against each other wheel-to-wheel.
There will also be the opportunity for one lucky spectator to pull on a helmet for a lap of Teagle’s Quarry alongside one of Australia’s top off-road drivers.
On Sunday morning the buggies, trucks and four-wheel-drives will head off for six laps of the 60km course through the Tantanoola pine forest from 8.30am.
Due to the Pines Enduro’s unique reverse grid format it is a lively day of racing, as competitors battle it out for the 2019 title.
The event has run for the past 42 years.
