Some of Australasia's finest racing cars are set to tear through the wide streets of Waimate during the McKeown Petroleum Waimate 50 at Labour Weekend.
Four races over two days comprise the event, being run for the second year in succession after an 11-year absence forced by rising costs and tightened regulations.
The Whitehorse Motors Hillclimb and Loot Jewellers Standing 1/4 Mile will headline the action on October 22, followed by the McKeown Petroleum Street Sprint and Dunlop Rallysprint on October 23.
A host of prestigious racing cars will feature over the weekend, including a replica Ford GT40, a Mitsubishi EX Lancer turbo driven by five-times Australian Rally champion Ross Dunkerton, Keith Callinan's 1972 V8 silver Holden Monaro, Andrew Hawkeswood's replica Audi Quattro S1, Russell Greer's 1959 V8 Stanton-Courvette and last year's winner Cleve Kokshoorn's Ford Escort RS1800.
Local hopes will be pinned on Oamaru drivers James Bee, Peter Fridd, John Mather, Brodie and Peter Fundlay and Hayden Currie.
Chairman of Waimate 50 Motorsport Inc Rob Aikman hoped for good weather and a big crowd of about 10,000 for the event.
"We've brought it back in a new format that is pretty popular," he said.
"I can't think of anyone else who has a quarter mile race through the main street.
"That's what makes it so special - the people are so close."
Compliance costs had been "huge", Mr Aikman said, and he was especially grateful to main sponsor Ken McKeown, of McKeown Group Ltd, for "backing the event to the hilt".
Jan McLaren - sister of Bruce McLaren who won the inaugural Waimate 50 "around the houses" in 1959 - is one of many racing identities set to attend.
The weekend will feature a static motor show with new cars, hot rods, classic and museum cars, as well as live music on Saturday night.
A yet to be completed mural by Waimate artist Bill Scott, featuring vehicles that have taken part in the Waimate 50, including the late Ernie Sprague's MKIII Zephyr, Ron Sylvester's 1938 Chevy Coupe, Paul Fahey's MKI Lotus Cortina, Ray Archibald's Jaguar Mark 2 and Rod Coppin's MKII V8 Zephyr, should be completed before the weekend begins.
Local schools and sporting and community groups will raise funds by tending food stalls.
Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 15. Family concessions are available.
