Winton Festival of Speed

The Winton Festival of Speed returns to Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria for a weekend dedicated to the history of Australian motorsport. This event brings together more than 300 classic race cars, ranging from the touring cars of the 1960s to the legendary machines of the 1990s. It is an opportunity to see historic categories like Group N, Group C&A, and Formula Ford compete on the circuit known as Australia's Action Track. New for 2026 is the Fitzy Cup, featuring Porsche race cars from the 1990 to 2010 era. Fans can also look forward to a grand parade on Sunday honoring Porsche racing legend Peter Fitzgerald. The schedule includes a Friday start and a special Group C&A twilight race on Saturday, providing a different perspective of these historic machines as the sun sets over the Benalla region. Beyond the track action, the festival offers an open paddock environment where spectators can walk through the garages, meet the drivers, and get a close look at the cars. More than 500 club display vehicles from across Victoria will be parked around the circuit in collaboration with Shannons Insurance. With multiple spectator points and on-site camping, the event is designed for a full weekend of immersion in classic car culture.

Winton Motor Raceway, affectionately known as 'The Nation’s Action Track,' is a premier motorsport facility in north-east Victoria and stands as the state's oldest continually operating circuit. Established in 1961 by the Benalla Auto Club, the venue grew from humble club roots into a nationally significant arena. The track is famous for its technical, tight layout that creates close racing and plenty of 'action,' a reputation famously summed up by legend Dick Johnson as being like 'running a marathon around your clothes-line.' The venue features two distinct configurations: the original 2.03-kilometre Club Circuit and the 3.0-kilometre National Circuit, the latter of which was opened in 1997 to accommodate larger national events. Winton holds a unique place in history as the site of Formula One legend James Hunt's final race victory in 1978. Its spectator-friendly design allows fans to view almost the entire circuit from various vantage points, fostering an intimate and high-energy atmosphere that is hard to replicate at larger, more spread-out venues. Today, Winton remains one of Australia's busiest circuits, hosting a diverse calendar that ranges from the Supercars Championship and Australian Superbike Championship to grassroots drifting and the world-renowned Historic Winton. Beyond racing, it serves as a critical testing hub for professional teams and a popular destination for track days and driver training. Its combination of historic charm and modern competition makes it a cornerstone of the Australian motorsport landscape.

Winton Motor Raceway is located approximately 200 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, about a two-hour drive along the Hume Highway. Visitors coming from the north will find it roughly one hour from Albury. The circuit is easily accessible via the Winton/Glenrowan exit from the highway, followed by a short drive from the nearby town of Benalla. On-site facilities are well-equipped for fans, featuring the Full Throttle Café for catering and ample grassed parking areas. For those looking to stay overnight, the venue offers basic on-site camping for a fee, allowing enthusiasts to stay close to the track. Note that there is no ATM on-site, so visitors should carry cash or use facilities in Benalla or Glenrowan before arriving.