Winton set for Historic encounter
The 49th edition of Historic Winton is set to take place at the end of this month at Winton Motor Raceway, over 250 cars are expected to be seen on track and a further 300 off it.
The 2026 Historic Winton event will occur from May 30-31 and is sanctioned by the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance and run by the Austin 7 Club.
This year’s racing will see more than 250 cars hit the track, with vehicles dating back from the 1880s up to the 1980s.
The event however to all ages with historic car racing, parades, an automotive market, the Shannons car park and heritage displays scattered around the venue.
There will be a lot of heritage displays again this year celebrating anniversaries including 110 years since the first Ford Model T came to Australia, and 100 years since Ford began manufacturing in this country.
Other celebrations include 120 years of Lagonda, 100 years of Mercedes-Benz, Bentley Speed Six and Pontiac. This year also marks 80 years of the Willy’s Jeep and Triumph Roadster.
It is the 60 birthday for the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Camaro, Holden HR and XR Falcon, as well as half a century for the Ford Fiesta, Lotus Esprit and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
One of the big displays this year will be celebrating the Mini Moke, with 30 Mokes on display at Historic Winton thanks to the Moke Owners Club of Victoria.
Austin 7 Club member and event manager John Kessner explained that there is so much to be excited about in 2026.
“This is a great event for families because kids 17 and under are free, but they still need a ticket,” Kessner said.
“Parents and grandparents have a great time showing their grandkids the cars from their youth and watching the amazed looks on their faces.
“The selfie opportunities are endless, especially as this is a rare event where visitors are able to visit the competition paddock to view the race cars and meet the competitors.
“Family is so much part of the Historic Winton culture that since 1993, the Firth Motors Family Trophy has been awarded to a family involved in racing or volunteering at the event.
“This year we are looking for some exotics like the 120-year-old Lagonda or the 100-year-old Bugatti Type 35 to more familiar and well-loved cars like the Mercedes Benz, XR Falcon, HR Holden, Mitsubishi Sigma, Volkswagen Golf and even the good old Ford Fiesta.
“And of course, we are celebrating 100 years since Ford commenced manufacturing in Australia and 110 years since its sales of the Model T commenced here.
“Clubs are signing up but the more the merrier, with individuals invited to display their ‘pride and joy’ anniversary vehicles as well.”
In a Historic Winton first, a free shuttle bus will carry attendees from Benalla Station to Winton Motor Raceway on both days of the event.
Entry to the competition paddock is included in your ticket price.
Gate ticket prices are as follows
Saturday - $45 (Practice and races)
Sunday - $55 (All day races)
Weekend - $85
You can save $5 on each ticket by purchasing online by clicking here. Children can enter for free.