Hidden behind the pub in this tiny Queensland town is one of Australia’s finest car-racing tracks.
But this track isn’t for V8s, motorbikes or even go-karting. It is for mud racing.
The small rural town of Kabra, on the outskirts of Rockhampton, has a population of just a few hundred people.
Once a year the population doubles when Australia’s premier mud-racing event comes to town.
The nation’s best drivers will converge on a mud-splattered piece of country paradise. (Supplied: Marlene Granshaw)
Think roaring engines, flying mud and edge-of-your-seat action as modified vehicles go head-to-head through boggy tracks in an all-out race against the clock.
“You get filthy dirty, covered in mud, and it doesn’t really matter if you win or lose, as long as you finish the meeting, that’s my motto,”
veteran mud-racing enthusiast Roger Langley said.
“If you can drive it on the trailer at the end of the meeting, you’ve had a win.”
What is mud racing?
The annual Queensland twin-track mud-racing titles attracts racers from all over Australia.
Alongside 75-year-old competitor Roger Langley, drivers from the Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland have made the pilgrimage to Kabra.
Roger Langley has been mud racing for three decades. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Drivers as young as 10 go head-to-head in a series of runs through challenging conditions on the mud-filled track before a winner is declared.
“I started racing in 1995, that’s how long ago,” Roger explains.
“I went and had a look at an event and after a while I was, ‘Wow, this is something interesting’.“
Cars of all shapes, sizes and models can compete in mud racing. (Supplied: Marlene Granshaw)
It wasn’t long before Roger started to carve his name in the sport.
“My first car was an XD Falcon station wagon,” he said.
“We stripped that out, put a roll cage in it and re-built the car for mud racing.
“It [mud racing] has just grown and grown over the years, mainly because of the juniors.”
In the junior category, keen mud racers between 10 and 16 years old hit the track in cars that have modifications like booster seats and pedal extensions.
Mud racing is a multi-generational passion for Roger Langley, his son Troy, and granddaughter Allira Weldon. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Mud racing a family affair
For the Langleys, the sport is a true family activity.
At this year’s event, Roger will be joined by his son Troy and 11-year-old granddaughter, Allira Weldon, to compete on their home track against the country’s best racers.
“I was pretty much born into it,”
Troy said.
“My brothers and sisters also race and I just enjoy working on cars and building them tough, and obviously racing them, and hopefully [I] don’t break it [the car].”
Troy Langley says there’s plenty of work involved in getting a car ready to race. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Specialised vehicles, often with large tyres and powerful engines, are used to navigate the mud.
These can range from modified trucks and ATVs to purpose-built buggies, with some of the top-class machines reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
Troy said there was a lot of work involved in getting a car ready.
Drivers have to manoeuvre through deep mud and water. (Supplied: Marlene Granshaw)
“There’s a fair bit to it because you are driving through quite deep water and mud sometimes, and a lot of electronics don’t like getting wet,” he said.
“So you’ve got to waterproof everything pretty well and obviously jack the car up as high as the rules allow to get some ground clearance.
“The fronts of mine are a tractor tyre and the rear ones are kind of a glorified quad tyre.“
Allira Weldon has her sights on adding a Queensland sticker to her car, named Holy Cow. (ABC Capricornia: Aaron Kelly)
Aside from the mechanics of the growing sport, Troy said there was one main objective.
“Try not to get a heap of mud in your eyes,”
he said.
And according to race director Marlene Granshaw, there’s also one prize every driver wants.
“They’re coming from all over the place, for not only the bragging rights, but that Queensland champion sticker to put on top of their car.”
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