Event History
Our Beginnings
Historic Winton is Australia’s longest-running all-historic car and motorcycle race meet. The genesis of the event came from Bill Sheehan, an Austin 7 Club member, who had been to the relatively short-lived Historic Amaroo in New South Wales and wanted to emulate it somewhere in Victoria. After much research and discussions, Bill invited the Austin 7 Club on board to produce the event and it has done so annually since the event commenced in 1977. The Austin 7 Club was the ideal organisation to get the meeting up and running, having had longstanding experience conducting motorsport events including the Six-Hour Relay Race from 1961 to 1972.
Priding itself on being the longest-running 4 x 2 (car and motorcycle) event in the country, Historic Winton has evolved through many stages. The Hartwell Motorcycle Club, the North Eastern Club and the Albury/Wodonga Club all have played their part in presenting the motorbike competitions over the years. In 1995, the HMRAV took up the reins and remains the event partner today.
Rusty relics and restored beauties
During the 1990s and 2000s, the emphasis was upon invited overseas competition vehicles. More recently, the focus shifted to a weekend of both historic racing and accompanying heritage displays. These feature rare and often unusual cars and motorcycles belonging to local and interstate enthusiasts. Visitors are enthralled by the vast array of rusty relics and old bangers on display as well as vehicles restored to their former glories. Significant vehicle and historical motorsport anniversaries are honored each year throughout the special trackside display areas.
City meets country
Historic Winton has grown into an iconic city meets country occasion, one of the biggest sporting and heritage events in regional Victoria. It is well-renowned for its country camaraderie and friendly atmosphere which has swarms of city and interstate spectators attending each year. Many return time after time and others tick off their bucket lists.
Each year, Historic Winton is different with so much to see and do, both on and off the track. At Historic Winton, expect to see the unexpected.
A comprehensive history of Historic Winton by founder Bill Sheehan is located on the Austin 7 Club website here.
For past race records and trophy winners, please click here.