SHOW AND GO!

LARDNER PARK MOTORFEST  RETURNS IN TRIUMPHANT FORM

- JACK HOULIHAN

NESTLED in the hills just outside Warragul, an hour south-east of Melbourne, Lardner Park feels like a cross between a country showground and a pristine winery. Since 2010, Motorfest has called the immaculately maintained venue home, offering up burnout action and a solid show 'n' shine. Formerly organised by the Rotary Club of Drouin and Gippsland Tuff Streeters, the event has seen a few challenges of late. The 2020 showing was the first after a three-year hiatus, and the obvious COVID issues after that made this year's Motorfest only the second in six years.

Glenn Everitt, of Man and Machine TV fame, and iconic engine builder John Pilla would become co-directors for Motorfest's return. As Glenn explains, the pairing was formed when he changed direction at the beginning of the pandemic. "Things shut down, so I decided to fire up my YouTube channel, Master of Machines, and I ended up chasing up Johnny Pilla from Powerhouse Engines to do a bit of engine dyno content," he recounts.

"I had a dyno shop and was a tuner for 25 years before entering the TV industry, so I've been up there helping him run the engine and chassis dyno for a bit over a year. He ended up being the sole director of Motorfest, and he said, 'Mate, I can't do this on my own. I'm gonna need your help; I'll give you half of it.' So I said we'd retain the burnout comp, as it's one of the most iconic in the country, and create our dream event."