IN PICTURES: Thousands flock to Great Southern for historic Albany Classic street race in city's CBD
Albany once again played host to its beloved annual street racing event over the WA Day long weekend, with more than 5000 spectators crowding into the CBD to see the Albany Classic.
A total of 115 cars of all makes, eras and models lined up to race around the iconic street circuit that lapped the city centre, with their drivers hailing from all across the country.
The pit lanes were set up near the Albany Town Square, and attendees of all ages stopped in to see drivers get ready to race and to have a closer look at their favourite cars after they had sped around the track.
Races ran all day and the event was full of all the thrills and spills expected on a street circuit, with more than one driver meeting the concrete barricades on a corner.
The Classic has been running for almost 90 years in Albany, and Albany Classic Motorsport Club president Glenn Badger said support for the event was still on the up.
The event was staged with the help of hundreds of volunteers, who set the event up in the dark on Saturday night, and packed the concrete barricades down again after race day.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
09-06-2025
- Perth Now
Aussie state could get extra public holiday
West Australians could be treated to an additional public holiday next year as the state looks at aligning its system with the east coast. WA currently has the lowest number of public holidays in the nation, and usually has a day off one week earlier than its eastern state counterparts. The state celebrates WA Day on the fist Monday in June, then celebrates the Kings Birthday on the fourth weekend in September. Most other states and territories celebrate the Kings Birthday on the second weekend in June. Premier Roger Cook said it was ridiculous to have a situation where Western Australia closes its doors when the east coast was open for business. NewsWire/ Sharon Smith Credit: News Corp Australia Premier Roger Cook said his department was looking at realigning West Australian public holidays with the east coast so they were better synched. 'It is ridiculous you have a situation where Western Australia closes its doors or shuts the shop when the east coast is open for business,' he said. 'Today of course, you'll have frustrated members of the Western Australian business community that can't access their colleagues on the east coast. 'I'm reviewing the whole range of public holidays we have in Western Australia and where they land to make sure that we've got better alignment and that they work better for the WA community 'We are part of a national economy, and we should be working together much better to ensure better alignment around these days. ' Premier Roger Cook said his department was looking at realigning WA's public holidays with the east coast. NewsWire/Philip Gostelow Credit: News Corp Australia CCIWA chief economist Aaron Morey said it was a good call from the premier but he did not support an additional public holiday. 'I think it's a good call from the Premier and lining up holidays definitely has public merit, how many birthdays does the king need?' he said. 'We're going to see some distraction today, the Melbourne Collingwood game on, I think people would rather be at home watching that.' But Mr Morey said he did not support having an additional public holiday in WA, which were huge headache for small businesses doing it tough. 'Someone might see a public holiday as a benefit, but for a small business, they just see another day when they have to pay $65 an hour for someone to wash dishes,' he said. 'It's really difficult for small business to navigate and to plan around public holidays, and so certainly not supportive of that concept.'
West Australian
05-06-2025
- West Australian
IN PICTURES: Thousands flock to Great Southern for historic Albany Classic street race in city's CBD
Albany once again played host to its beloved annual street racing event over the WA Day long weekend, with more than 5000 spectators crowding into the CBD to see the Albany Classic. A total of 115 cars of all makes, eras and models lined up to race around the iconic street circuit that lapped the city centre, with their drivers hailing from all across the country. The pit lanes were set up near the Albany Town Square, and attendees of all ages stopped in to see drivers get ready to race and to have a closer look at their favourite cars after they had sped around the track. Races ran all day and the event was full of all the thrills and spills expected on a street circuit, with more than one driver meeting the concrete barricades on a corner. The Classic has been running for almost 90 years in Albany, and Albany Classic Motorsport Club president Glenn Badger said support for the event was still on the up. The event was staged with the help of hundreds of volunteers, who set the event up in the dark on Saturday night, and packed the concrete barricades down again after race day.
West Australian
04-06-2025
- West Australian
Albany Classic brings another year of street racing and motorsport history to the Great Southern
The Albany CBD transformed into a racetrack on Sunday as the annual Albany Classic took over the city streets, with more than 100 cars entered to race around the historic street circuit. More than 5000 spectators lined the barricades around York Street and surrounding areas to see the action, with cars from all eras and drivers from across the country descending on the city to compete. Vintage Sports Car Club coordinator Sheryl Swarbrick said the event was a classic nod to motorsport history in Albany. 'With a huge variety of cars, passionate participants, and an enthusiastic crowd, the 2025 Albany Classic and Mt Clarence Hill Climb cemented its place as one of Australia's most iconic and beloved historic motorsport events,' she said. In the Post-1960 Sports Cars category, Ron Fabry took the top step in his 1961 MG Midget, combining finesse with fearless driving. Steven Boyle claimed the Historic Touring Cars category victory in his Fiat 125, while Shane Lawson took out the Tin Tops category in his 1976 Leyland Mini. Craig Saywell won the Racing Cars category in his 1974 Mazda RX3, mastering the precision needed on Albany's tight corners, and the Pre-1960 Sports Cars win went to Geoff Findlay in his 1949 Riley RMB Special. The day wasn't without some dramatic spills, with Warren Bishop (1980 Ford Mustang), Michael Ognenis i(1976 Morgan) and Les Verco (1952 Holden FJ) all making contact with the concrete barriers. On Saturday, the Mt Clarence Hill Climb had 44 entries take on the challenging ascent, with the standout of the day Yannis Hondros (2004 Mazda MX5 SE), who snatched the fastest time of 34.83 seconds, claiming outright victory. Despite the speed on display, Dick Ward's 2024 record in his 1967 Fiat Abarth held fast. Albany Classic Motorsport Club president Glen Badger said the day went smoothly, with hundreds of volunteers involved in set up and pack down. 'The set up and pack down went smoothly this year,' he said. 'I want to say a big thanks to the 100 plus volunteers, we could not have the event without them. 'The weather was fantastic, what more could you ask for. 'Thanks for all the support from the community, we are looking forward to celebrating the 90th anniversary next year.'
