Scorching Wheels, Matchbox, Majorette. No matter your selection, racing toy vehicles on a rug, crafting makeshift cities, and fantasising concerning the good race observe is a childhood reminiscence that many people maintain expensive to coronary heart. However for some, this dream by no means fades; it solely grows greater and louder.

Sam Shahan was one such dreamer. As a younger Palestinian refugee, his creativeness echoed contained in the partitions of his household residence, an previous petrol station in Woodville, South Australia.

Right here, Sam was surrounded by the odor of petrol and the cease begin sounds of engines. Usually it’s suggested to not sniff petrol fumes, however it appears for Sam and his siblings, the octane inside sparked a lifetime ardour for vehicles.

And over Sam’s life, that single Woodville household petrol station developed into the Perigrine Group – Australia’s largest personal vitality community, its largest personal service station chain, and the nation’s most profitable petroleum empire.

I’m a agency believer within the saying ‘cash doesn’t change individuals, it simply amplifies their qualities’. Whereas a few of our goals change as we age, The Bend Motorsport Park is proof that that impressed baby nonetheless lives inside Sam Shahan.

From Desires To Asphalt

Risking sounding considerably cliché, The Bend Motorsport Park actually is Sam’s magnum opus, showcasing his lifelong love for motorsport.

Situated an hour’s drive from the tranquility of Adelaide, South Australia’s capital metropolis, The Bend gleams like a jewel within the wilderness. It boasts an astonishing 7.77 kilometre (4.82 mile) observe – one of many longest full-time circuits on the planet – however belief me, it’s not simply dimension that issues right here.

The power affords one thing like 34 completely different circuit configurations, every catering to numerous motorsport disciplines. It’s a spot that holds the echoes of iconic European and Center Japanese tracks, however retains an undeniably Australian really feel about it.

That is motoring on a scale we’re simply not aware of in Australia. Think about one facility that boasts not solely a world-class circuit, but additionally a drag strip, drift enviornment, karting observe, rally cross circuit, 4WD journey park, and even a lodge.

It’s like stepping right into a motorsport utopia.

The Final Lap

While looking, I used to be lucky sufficient to be strapped within the passenger seat of a Lotus Evora to expertise the primary GT Circuit up shut.

With fewer landmarks than most tracks for a brand new driver to make use of as brake markers, locking onto the structure could be difficult to start with, particularly given the excessive speeds attainable on the longer sections.

However like all issues worthwhile, after observe the observe flows superbly when threaded by some skilled palms.

The straights are lengthy, and every set of corners current the motive force with a unique set of challenges.

These straight sections remind me of Fuji Speedway, the vastly differing nook combos remind me of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and the elevation modifications of spirited drives via the mountains. There isn’t a rival for this observe in Australia.

British readers might snigger, however I’d by no means ridden in a Lotus previous to this; they’re not the commonest issues down below.

The Bend was the right place to showcase and amplify each the Evora’s agility and straight-line energy. What a experience.

Racing In the direction of The Future

With its state-of-the-art design, The Bend isn’t just one other racetrack. Its sheer dimension is one factor, however the know-how, security measures and foresight embedded into each inch make it a contender for the very best echelon of worldwide motorsport. The power meets or exceeds each FIA specification and already hosts quite a lot of worldwide racing occasions.

In fact, Sam and the staff behind The Bend would love the chance to sooner or later host the Australian spherical of the System One World Championship. However let’s not get forward of ourselves simply but; we’re simply dreamers, keep in mind? In the interim, the staff appear glad to let everyone else reside out their goals and benefit from the world-class facility.

Extra Than Simply Tarmac

The Bend Motorsport Park is greater than asphalt and engines. In an period the place the joys of driving is usually ignored for effectivity and automation, the ability stands tall, reminding us of the uncooked pleasure, the adrenaline, and the sheer love for vehicles and racing.

For South Australians, it’s a degree of delight. For guests, each seasoned professionals and curious first-timers, it’s an expertise of a lifetime.

And for Sam? It’s the realisation of a dream that began with diecast vehicles on a rugged ground.

Matthew Everingham
Instagram: matthew_everingham
matt@mattheweveringham.com