See the National Museum of Australia's Historic Vehicles in Action

Brabham racing car, Royal Daimler, Aeroplane Jelly T-Model Ford truck will take to the track

A hundred years of automotive history will be in action when a selection of iconic vehicles from the National Museum of Australia take to the track at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, New South Wales, on 17 August.

Australia's newest luxury car brand: Genesis is launched in Sydney [watch]

A glamourous ribbon-cutting at the first Genesis Studio, in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall, has marked the launch of the Genesis brand in Australia.



The flagship studio was unveiled by Executive Vice President, Global Head of the Genesis Brand, Manfred Fitzgerald.

The launch of Genesis Studio Sydney introduces a new premium customer experience to the Australian market, and will be joined by Genesis Studios in Melbourne and Brisbane next year.

The stunningly designed Studio in the retail heart of Sydney’s CBD is defined by its spiral staircase encircled by a spectacular, bespoke large-scale curved LED screen.

Lake Perkolilli claypan racing is back

It’s called sacrilege! Desecration! A travesty! Covering precious antique race cars and bikes in sticky red dust and driving them at extraordinary speeds. The drivers of 100 pre-war race cars and motorcycles who will be heading to the isolated claypan of Lake Perkolilli near Kalgoorlie in September this year don’t care what the purists think.

Getting down and dirty with their vintage cars is their greatest reward for bringing the old bangers to life.  The ability to race on one of the world’s oldest motor race tracks is getting old cars restored and fired up again all over Australia.

12 to 15 September ON A CLAYPAN 

NEAR KALGOORLIE, Western Australia

Lake Perkolilli is legendary amongst those who know about the outback origins of Australian motorsport.  The rock hard and billiard table smooth claypan was a Mecca for speed merchants who wanted to claim Australian speed records, and from 1914 through to 1939 many records were set by cars and motorcycles.

When around-the-houses motor racing came to Western Australia and the spectators did not need to trek the 600km to the Goldfields, Lake Perkolilli or “Perko” as it was called was forgotten and virtually abandoned. 

The Lake Perkolilli Red Dust Revival from 12 to 16 September this year will resurrect the old natural track and re-live the glory days of motorsport.  The competitors will get their vehicles (which are all at least 80 years old) covered in thick red dust that seems to get ingrained into the paint so it never comes off.  The dust will seep into everything. “So what?” is their reaction!

They’ll camp in the bush — just like the racers of the 1920s and 1930s who trekked from Perth to test out their cars and bikes on what was called the “Brooklands of the West”.

Britain has its Goodwood Revival on a converted airfield, the USA has The Race of Gentleman on a beach and now Australia has the Lake Perkolilli Red Dust Revival on a claypan in the outback. 

The oldest cars at the Red Dust Revival will be Ford Model T speedsters.  The venerable Model T released to the world in 1909 was not known for speed but when the smart young mechanics of the era stripped them back and hotted-up the engines they were fast and loud. 

There will be Chrysler racers from the 1920s, replicas of the cars which set Australian 24 Hour Speed Records back in 1926 and 1927.  Austin Sevens, the original “Baby” Austins will compete head-to-head with more expensive and sophisticated cars such as Bentleys and Lagondas.

One car is even being shipped from the United Kingdom to be a part of the revival of motorsport at Perkolilli.

About 40 classic motorcycles will also race on the claypan for the first time since 1939. The great marques of the past such as BSA, AJS and Triumph will be well represented as well as obscure brands such as Corah which have been forgotten in time.  The “flat tank” racers with their black racing leathers and big singles or V-twins will add to the spectacle. 

Vintage aircraft will also fly up from Perth to the claypan just like the original era.

The Lake Perkolilli Red Dust Revival is run by a group of enthusiasts from the vintage motorcycle and sports car fraternity who just want to experience the thrill of claypan racing.  To administer the event they formed the Lake Perkolilli Motor Sports Club Inc.  Everyone who enters the event with a car or motorcycle automatically becomes a member of this very exclusive bunch of people who can say that they have competed on one of the world’s oldest race track with exactly the same surface as a century ago.

The event is free to attend as a spectator and thanks to the City of Kalgoorlie/Boulder there is camping adjacent to the claypan and the most basic facilities.  And that is how it should be!  Camping in the bush and enjoying the smoke, smell and clatter of old race cars and bikes as they kick up the dust.

For more information go to www.motoringpast.com.au

All-new BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible

BMW Group Australia is proud to announce local pricing and specification for the all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible range.

“The legendary BMW 8 series has made its return, and Australian markets will have access to two model variants this time – the all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible,” said BMW Group Australia CEO, Vikram Pawah.

“The classic Coupe body caters to customers who are seeking that classic sporting feel, and the Convertible provides an option for those who enjoy a premium open-air grand touring experience.”

“With the latest technology, supreme performance and sophisticated interior design, both variants will set the benchmark within the luxury sports segment and are a clear statement of intent for BMW. These vehicles are a fantastic demonstration of modern day luxury without compromising performance and handling.”

BMW 8 Series Convertible and Coupe range pricing*

BMW M850i xDrive Coupe $272,900*

BMW M850i xDrive Convertible $281,900*

What lies beneath: the new 4.4-litre V8 engine

At the heart of the all-new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe and Convertible sits a 4.4-litre V8 twin turbocharged petrol engine.

An all-new aluminium alloy crankcase increases rigidity while wire-arc sprayed iron features within the cylinder bores to reduce frictional losses. Grafal-coated pistons and material updates to connecting rods, main bearings, head gaskets and chain drive system ensure strength and efficiency. A viscous damper on the crankshaft enhances smoothness.

Both turbochargers are larger than before and feature a twin-scroll design and are individually charge-cooled. Located inside the vee, they are positioned for immediacy of response.

The High Precision direct fuel injection is rated at 350 bar, while VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing work in conjunction with the turbochargers to deliver strong acceleration throughout the rev range.

This thoroughly modern V8 generates peak power of 390kW between 5,500rpm and 6,000rpm, with an M5 Competition-matching 750Nm of torque delivered from 1,800rpm and 4,600rpm.

As a result, the BMW M850i Coupe is able to achieve 0-100km/h in only 3.7 seconds, with a guttural soundtrack to match, thanks to the standard flap-controlled Sport Exhaust system.

Similarly powered, the BMW M850i Convertible completes the standard sprint in just 3.9 seconds.

These impressive outputs are delivered through the latest generation eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission. This is fitted with a wide-ratio gear set (ratio spread increased from 7.07 to 8.59) to ensure relaxed high speed driving and improved efficiency. For those times when ultimate control is demanded, shift paddles allow the driver to manage ratios as required.

SOURCE: BMW Australia media release

Nigel Paterson to edit Australian Road Rider from Issue 151

Paterson has worked on numerous motorcycle magazines, websites and even a motorcycle TV show since he joined the publishing industry at Revs Motorcycle News in the 1990s.

“I’m super keen to get started on Road Rider”, Paterson said. “Greg’s done a fantastic job with ARR in recent years and I’m planning to continue that great work.

“I’ve been a road rider since I was 16 years old and enjoy everything from sports to touring to adventure and even commuting. I’ve worked on a number of bike magazines over the years and I’m really happy to be joining the team at ARR.”

Australian Road Rider has been inspiring Aussies to get out there and see their country and the world from the saddle of a bike, publishing the best road tests, tour stories and feature articles every second month.

Paterson will take over the editor’s role from issue 151. Officially he starts on March 1, but he’s already making preparations and plans for the magazine.

If you have any editorial submissions you can contact Nigel directly on or npaterson@umco.com.au.

It is from issue 150 that we farewell outgoing editor Greg Leech. Greg, otherwise affectionately known to the Australian Road Rider community as Snag, has decided to pass the baton to Nigel to pursue other interests. Snag has been the ultimate professional as editor over the last 3 years leaving ARR in a strong position as the leading voice for the road riding enthusiasts of Australia. Whilst we will be sad to see him go we can still look forward to him spinning a few yarns in his distinct style as a contributor in the not too distant future.

“I have loved every minute of my time with ARR. I believe it is the premier bike mag in the country, but I would say that. Seriously, I wish Nige the best of luck and hope he'll let me write a thing or two!" – Greg Leech