LOOSE UNITS

THE HILLS OF WESTERN VICTORIA ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF ANGRY SKID RIGS AT THE INAUGURAL LOOSEFEST

- SIMON DAVIDSON

NESTLED in the ancient sandstone amphitheatre of the Burrong Basin, east of the Grampians in western Victoria, the Stawell Motor Sports Club reverberates to the 150dB din of angry engines. A throng of tough cars have assembled here, and their drivers have but one thing on their minds: murdering tyres. Spectators sit on rocky outcrops amongst the shady trees, heads and shoulders silhouetted against the dense fog of atomised radials. Welcome to the inaugural LOO5EFEST.

The event is put on by Russell Harris, famous for his blown and injected VL Commodore burnout beast, LOO5E. He also organises the annual LOO5ENATS, which takes place at the same venue over the Melbourne Cup weekend. LOO5EFEST was a last-minute addition to the calendar this year as a warm-up for the main event in November, and for the burnout faithful of the region, it's a much-appreciated inclusion. Except maybe for Russell's missus, who first threatened divorce, then became a lynchpin in organising the event.

While burnouts are front and centre, LOO5EFEST somehow has the atmosphere of a country fair, complete with jumping castle, kebab truck and a caravan serving up coffee and doughnuts.

Friday night is open pad night, with a simple 'kill as many sets as you want' directive. All comers are celebrated and everyone's a winner. Camping overnight is allowed, and fireside yarns punctuate the night once the action's over.