IF you\u2019re over the age of twelve, the Ballarat Light Car Club is inviting you to cut a few laps on their dirt track in Mitchell Park.<\/p>\n
From 9am to 1pm this Saturday, 13 February anyone is welcome to jump in the drivers\u2019 seat of a BLCC automatic or manual racing car alongside a qualified and experienced trainer-driver.<\/p>\n
Organiser Darren Watkins said participants at the come-and-try day can experience the excitement of tackling a Motorkhana-autocross track in a front-wheel or all-wheel drive car at speed, and always in a safe environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do a slow drive around first, giving drivers an idea of the track, which is all flat, and if you do go off the track, it\u2019s all clear paddocks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe day is even appropriate for a 17-year-old with L-plates who wants to learn how to sensibly drive in the dirt, because there are a lot of dirt roads in Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe front-wheel-drives are quite easy to control and to learn with, and having an experienced person next to you means you can do things on the track you normally wouldn\u2019t on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Watkins\u2019 partner, Fiona Henderson has participated in the event before. She said racing around the track is a \u201cthrill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get to drive the car in a way you can\u2019t on a normal road, so it\u2019s a lot of fun. When my daughter comes out and has a go, you can\u2019t wipe the smile off her face,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n