Hotting it up

HOT Wheels is on its way to The Royal Geelong Show and excitement is peaking for what is sure to be an entertaining display of death-defying stunts and action.

The Times News Group caught up with Australian stunt performer and racing driver Matt Mingay ahead of Hot Wheels’ first trip down to Geelong.

TNG: How are you guys feeling about making your way down to Geelong for the very first time?

Mingay: “We are very excited, it’s very rare that we get to venture somewhere for the very first time… we go all over Australia for many years, but this’ll be really exciting to be in Geelong this time round!

“Expect things you’ve never seen before! My son Madzy and I will be racing super trucks against each other and doing jumps of over 4 metres high in the air… we are going to be tearing it up, it’s going to be something for everybody to see.”

TNG: How did you get started as a professional stunt driver?

Mingay: “I’ve been doing it for 29 years this year, that means I’ll be at 30 next year! I started as a stuntman on motorbikes for about five years and then I progressed to doing car drifting, all the way to super truck racing… I do all three now and I’ve come a long way since the start.”

TNG: What kind of training is required to perform the stunts you do?

Mingay: “Me and my boy train six days a week!

“This sort of job is very hard on the neck and shoulders from landing over and over again… it takes a fair bit out of you.

“Mainly we do plenty of crossfit and weights!

“You do feel a bit of pressure on you, but quickly it becomes second-nature. We really take a passion in what we do.”

What has been your most memorable or challenging Hot Wheels stunt so far?

Mingay: “Breaking the Guinness World Record for fastest wheel-stand was pretty good… I clocked 225.57km per hour for one kilometre!”

TNG: What’s it like to bring a childhood toy like a Hot Wheels car to life?

Mingay: “It’s absolutely so cool!

“We do truck jumps, car slides and car drifting and motorbike wheelies which is exactly what a kid does with a toy in hand… only thing is it’s in full size and for real… it’s very cool to be able to bring it to life.

“We aim to please all ages and families.”

Want to catch all the Hot Wheels action up close and personal? Get your tickets to The Royal Geelong Show now at royalgeelongshow.org.au.

There will be a Hot Wheels Semi-Trailer Activation, Kids Fun Zone and extreme super truck shows competing for the title of Ultimate Hot Wheels Hero.

Early bird tickets are now sale until 15 October. Tickets start at $27 for adults, $13.50 for students and $63 for a family.

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