BY BINDY DATSON
The 2022 Lake Perkolilli Red Dust Revival classic car event was held between the 19th and 25th September at a red clay pan north of Kalgoorlie and near the abandoned historic town of Kanowna.
A few of our members made the trip up to ‘Kal’ to see the event – Peter Moore volunteered to be a track marshal and was there from beginning to end – others came up from Perth during the week to see later ‘racing’. Mark and I travelled up on Friday to see the weekend events.
There was some concern that there might be rain during the week which could turn the site into a red quagmire, but the rain gods held off, and the days were warm and sunny and not too windy.
Most of our Club members were staying in the same hotel in ‘Kal’ so were able to get together for evening meals. Saturday began mild, and dust levels were not too bad but as the day warmed and a brisk breeze started up, copious clouds of dust rolled off the track as cars went by, settling over crowd and cars. By the end of the day my hair had turned orange and stiff – reminder to self to bring a scarf to the next Red Dust Revival😊
Racing at Perkolilli is not really racing – during the week cars (and bikes) had been evaluated as to their speed and similarity and had been put into groups, resulting in trial events with evenly matched vehicles. The best matched cars were able to cross the finish line abreast which made for some impressive photo finishes!
ELLIE MAE DODGE AT PERKOLILLI
The 1927 Dodge was a barn find from Max Wellstead’s property in Bremer Bay. Club members began to prepare the car to be a Perkolilli racer with the idea of having a Dipsticks vehicle to cheer on. A lot of work was carried out on the Dodge but as time marched on it was apparent that there were too many issues with the car – the biggest was the lack of a clean dry space to store and work on the vehicle. The engine was problematic with too much wear and tear and too expensive to recondition, even though several other engines were located for parts.
Eventually it was decided to sell the car to give someone else the chance to give her another life. Gus and another couple of friends bought Ellie Mae and with a nice workshop to store and work on her, she was reincarnated into a Perkolilli racer and entered into the Red Dust Revival 2022. The following are some photos of Ellie Mae at the event.
PERKOLILLI POLLY AT PERKOLILLI
After the Dodge was sold some Club members were still keen to get to Perkolilli with a ‘Club’ car to cheer on. Raima found a lovely little Austin 8 in very good condition, bought her and she was christened Perkolilli Polly.  Peter Moore and Dave Pole helped to iron out some issues with Polly and she was Perkolilli ready. Unfortunately, Raima decided to sell Polly due to health issues, but Polly made it to Perkolilli with her new owners and acquitted herself well😊
EMBLEMS
I find the emblems on the old cars as interesting as the vehicles themselves – they add flair and character to the cars.
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