About the Festival of "Speed on Tweed"

The Festival of Speed on Tweed is widely renowned as Australia's version of the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.

Over 12,000 people converge on the Northern NSW town of Murwillumbah in late September for the annual historic speed trials. 160 cars and their drivers, challenge each other's speed and skill over the 1.4 kilometer street circuit.

The Festival of Speed on Tweed is a non-profit event run by the Rotary Club and a group of extremely dedicated volunteers. At the conclusion of the event, all profits are distributed to pre-selected National and local charities.

The event itself is classic and tasteful with only a select group of notable vehicles accepted and fine food and prestige beverages offered to the viewing public.

In the past three years the following organisations have received donations from the Festival.

• Children's Cancer Institute Australia
• Murwillumbah Hospital
• Apex
• Rotary Australia
• State Emergency Services

Each year the event attracts some of the biggest names in motor sport history. In 2002, Sir Jack Brabham and Leo Geoghegan took part, whilst in 2003 and 2004 it was Frank Gardner.

It is not only the drivers who take centre stage. Such famous race cars as Jim Richards' 1982 Bathurst winning Godzilla, a 1985 Ferrari 156, once raced by Michele Alboreto and a Maybach driven by Stan Jones, father of famous F1 driver, Alan.

        " Our aim is to stage the very best event possible and we won't rest until we achieve our goal. "

                         

 

                   

Photos from the Day.....

Here are some photos from the event. Thanks to Coralie for taking them!....

A great shot of some cars assembling to drive onto the track....

And here is another.....but it looks like he's having to wait a bit long!

 

And here (below) is a great photo of a Ford GT40........it looks low......not so easy to get into but I'm sure it is great fun to drive.

 

And here is a photo of a lovely little MG....

 

You can see from this photo that some people take the word "Speed" very seriously....

 

On the other end of the "Speed" spectrum would be these "putt putt" cars.......beautiful nevertheless!

 

Here is a shot of Carol chatting to the man with the "Stop" sign. Maybe she wanted to use the sign so she could take a closer look at some of the cars!......good tactic Carol.

 

You can see from the photo below that the event also included some night time entertainment. The theme of the evenings entertainment was ‘Venetian Carnival Mystique’ and it was suggested we wear a mystical mask!  We were invited to ‘indulge in the delights of a spectacular display of musical performers’, and it certainly was and we certainly did!...

 

......so many of the club members took a look......

 

Here is a photo of one of our club members (Robert ....aka Zorro) plus a BDC Qld club member (Gwen) looking very much like Marie Antoinette!. Gwen....how can you see where you are walking?

                                      

 

Club stalwarts (Barry and Carol) having a great time.......fantastic to see them participate.......although Barry looks like he's had a tough night!

 

And here's Rosemonde and Laurie also having some fun.....

 

......lot's of people attended the event, and it was a great success.....so if you didn't make this year, why not come along next year. There isn't enough space to have photos of everyone, but I thought we'd end on a photo that contains real Bentley spirit.....The masked couple are Janelle and Chris from our sister club the BDC Qld, who helped to organise the event.....