V8RACE HISTORY

The V8 Race Team are pioneers in creating real race driving experiences in Australia. More than 50,000 enthusiasts have driven with V8 Race, with most coming back for more.

The story begins in 1990, when celebrated race driver, Rod Dawson collaborated with Greg Evans from his sponsor, Castlemaine XXXX to create the concept of ‘drive days’ which aimed to put publicans behind the wheel of XXXX race cars.

The concept was a hit and over the next ten years, Dawson prepared more performance cars for public drive events – using HQ Holdens, then Subaru WRX’s, Auscars and then onto the cars currently used at V8Race – V8 Fords and Holdens.

The first events took place in Queensland at the Lakeside Raceway but soon demand for the race days was so great, the V8 Race operation relocated to the Queensland Raceway.

In 2004, Dawson again teamed up with Greg Evans – this time to expand the V8Race Experience from its Queensland base, and give would-be race drivers in the southern states, the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a V8Race car.

The public race days have steadily grown over the past four years, and there is now a fleet of 20 cars operating in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Western Australia.

Enticed by Dawson’s motorsports mates in Darwin to bring the V8Race Experience to the Top End, the V8Race team ran its first Northern Territory event at the fantastic track at Hidden Valley Raceway on August 29 and 30 in 2008.

The current race cars have been developed using the years of knowledge and experience that Rod has gained building and racing a wide range of performance cars and V8 Supercars.  The new cars have been stripped down, with roll cages, race seats and full harnesses installed. The cars have been lowered, fitted with improved springs and race suspension, 17 inch alloys, Dunlop racing sticks and have the full supercar livery.  Top V8 performance with real racing “know how” combined with insights that Greg and Rod have gained through running events and talking to customers who’ve driven their cars has turned this into an experience that is widely appealing.

V8Race has proven to be so popular wherever it goes, because everyone who dares to drive has the chance to experience the thrill of  driving a V8Race car. And with the team’s dedicated focus on safety and pre-drive training with a race industry professional, even those less confident, feel ready to jump into their first drive.

The V8Race Experience allows you to drive a custom-built performance car, at top speed with your very own race industry professional coaching you round the raceway, now that’s guaranteed to get the adrenalin rushing!!!

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