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Life on Mars!
We are at the Red Dust Revival, held under the auspices of the Lake Perkolilli Motor Sports Club Incorporated, where daredevils have been racing on the dry clay lakebed since 1914, for this the third modern re-enactment of the bygone glories of the Lake. The last time I was here was for the Centenary event in 2014 and this is the first official racing since then, though of course the locals will come out every now and then and ‘hoon’ around the track still easily identified amongst the salt-bush.
There is no water, no telephone reception and even today in the 21st Century a harsh environment in which to live. What must it have been like for the prospectors at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries as they pushed their wheelbarrows and hand carts through the all-pervading red dust to reach eldorado?
This region is absolutely and uniquely fantastic, and the motor racing, an added bonus, is equally so. Four days of non-stop action as over 100 automobiles and some 20 or 30 motorbikes competed against each in a series of time trials and handicap races. All the vehicles, unless given special exemption, were of the period of racing at Perko – between 1914 and 1939 before the Second World War brought an end to the fun.
The golden years of this golden track were the 1920s when nearby Kalgoorlie was enjoying an economic boom along with the rest of the world. Temporary stands were erected and crowds of 10,000 would gather to see the legends compete in Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Overland, Salmson, supercharged Austin Sevens and Triumph Super Sevens, even a Bugatti and the occasional Lagonda.
One of those Lagondas was purchased in England in 1934 by Tom Berry and arrived with him back in Australia in 1935. The 1104cc Lagonda Rapier ran at Lake Perkolilli in 1936 and 1937 and at the hands of its current pilot, whose father purchased the car in 1950, was back for 2019, once again sporting its white-washed number 12 on the maroon paintwork of its original body, propelled around the 4.2 kilometre track by its original gutsy engine. Indeed, whilst all the cars and bikes competing were of the period, this fabulous baby Lagonda was the only one to have actually competed at Perko in period.
There was also another Lagonda at the Lake, the ‘Woodbatt Special’. Again, a Lagonda Rapier, it was first registered in Wales in October 1936. It would have sported a similar body before falling into disrepair and being restored as a special in the 1960s by Messrs Tony Wood and John Batt. Brought all the way from the UK especially for the Red Dust Revival the pretty Rapier’s original 1936 factory engine blew up after just one lap! Its philosophical owner from Worcestershire calmly accepting that it was, “Just one of those things that happen when you go racing”, declaring it the best of the many motorsports events that he had been in attendance with it over the past dozen years of custodianship.
Cars and spectators came from far and wide to camp in the outback and sleep under the stars.
Words and photographs by James Nicholls.
Published:
Tuesday October 29th, 2019
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Comments
Graeme Cocks
09 November 2019, 09:11
Hi Peter
Yes, it would be great to see a Sunbeam back at Perkolilli more than 120 years later. We are thinking of 2022 for another expedition to the claypan. We've produced a photographic book of the event if you are interested. take a look at www.motoringpast.com.au.
All the best
Graeme
Read more
Yes, it would be great to see a Sunbeam back at Perkolilli more than 120 years later. We are thinking of 2022 for another expedition to the claypan. We've produced a photographic book of the event if you are interested. take a look at www.motoringpast.com.au.
All the best
Graeme
John Bowler - Mayor Kalgoorlie-Boulder
31 October 2019, 04:03
Wonderful write up and some excellent photos from what was one of the most amazing events our city has hosted - ever!
The crowds and atmosphere at Perkolilli were better than I'd even hoped for and like most I wanted the revival back again next year but I appreciate the logistics will dictate a timetable every three or four years. Either way, I can't wait.
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The crowds and atmosphere at Perkolilli were better than I'd even hoped for and like most I wanted the revival back again next year but I appreciate the logistics will dictate a timetable every three or four years. Either way, I can't wait.
Barbara Kay
31 October 2019, 02:06
So interesting about the Lagonda. I made the trek out in 2014, we got out just before we got bogged in so thought we'd get there for this year. Wonderful event, even managed a few laps of the circuit on my sidecar - dusty or qhat! Thank you to all involved in running such a special event.
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Graeme Cocks
30 October 2019, 05:18
Well done James. You captured the essence of the Red Dust Revival.
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Mike Clark
29 October 2019, 10:33
Brilliant - need a good air filter for the engine and for the lungs - but what fun.
Mike
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Mike
Years ago I was lucky enough to locate pictures of one of the first cars to compete at "Perko", a 1913 Sunbeam 12-16hp Sporting Model owned by the Sons of Gwalia gold mine. It's seen at the mine c.1913, at Lake Perkolilli in 1914 and at Kalgoorlie Railway Station, welcoming France's General Pau on his 1918 goodwill tour of Australia.