WE love the smell of fuel in the morning. Or afternoon. Or evening.
It’s especially true when it comes to Easter time.
The annual behemoth that is the Mildura Easter Powersports Weekend is back, with Sunraysia a mecca for motorheads across the long weekend.
Itineraries will barely leave room for a toilet stop as the weekend is choc full of events, but this year there is a greater sense of support and optimism for the huge long weekend.
Many motorsport clubs involved this weekend have been through the ringer at different times across the past 12 months, even in the post-COVID era, so this weekend looms as something special for all of them.
A huge hand must be given to the Mildura Speedway Drivers Club and everyone involved at Timmis Speedway for the hours of dedication to prepare for their usual double-header meeting across the Easter weekend.
Safety concerns had meant the track was unable to host any usual speedway meetings across the season, and not having received funding support they could have been left stranded.
However many rolled up their sleeves, and others donated generously, to help Timmis reach a point where they could return to racing for their biggest weekend of the year.
It says so much about a group that they can find another way to get back to racing. Top job, all of you.
Flooding in the region had caused a few concerns around the place ahead of the Mildura 100 and some false alarms had been sounded that the race would be cancelled for the third time in four years.
But through Mother Nature taking a breather and plenty of work from the volunteer army of the Mildura Ski Club, the fastest ski race in the world is ready to roll again.
Floodwaters also affected the Mildura Motorcycle Club and while the speedway surface remained untouched, the adjacent motocross track wasn’t quite so lucky.
It’s certainly a theme here, but again the hard work of club members has ensured the aerial action is on once again.
Under lights it’s a spectacular display on Saturday night and a nice entree before the main course of the Mildura 100 on Sunday.
And we’ve all come to recognise the rough trot the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association has gone through with COVID affecting travel and then issues with the Sunset Strip surface following heavy rainfall late last year.
Action returned to the track in February and now the Easter Supercharged Shootout, their biggest event of the calendar year, revs up again.
Even those sports lacking in horsepower should be applauded for making sure they are right to go.
No doubt the Mildura Rowing Club would have held similar concerns to the ski club for the 100th annual Mildura and Wentworth Easter regatta, with strong currents and floating debris unwelcome obstacles.
Thankfully they avoided becoming a slalom event and the riverfront should be full of crews flying across the water on the Murray and Darling rivers this weekend.
Our thoughts certainly go out to the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club, who would usually be hosting their Easter tournament across the weekend as well.
Fingers crossed a return is right around the corner for them.
Perhaps more than ever these clubs could do with your support, so if you’re able, get your backside trackside for another epic weekend.
***
Shoot ’em up
WE’RE always keen to see the next generation of sports lovers coming through the ranks, but some take to it earlier than others.
That’s the case for a potential future Mildura Heat star who is already big on basketball.
Some brilliant were images captured by our own Bernard Humphreys last week of Heat stars and young mums Mikayla Hermans and Bronte Pezzaniti with sons Elijah, 18 months, and Orlando, four months.
It’s probably a bit early for the younger of the two to shoot hoops, but Elijah is all for it already.
We love this picture (in the carousel above) of the keen youngster shooting around with Heat legend Vanessa Power before training, although we’re not sure who is actually giving the lessons.
In all seriousness, if Elijah’s shooting technique turns out half as well as Power’s he’ll be a major star for the Heat in the future.
***
Davo does it
A HUGE congratulations to Mildura’s own Cambell Davison and Liam Dinnage for their outstanding performances at last week’s Wakeboard Australia National Titles.
The duo put on a show for the crowd and finished with a one-two punch at the top of the 19-29 Men category on the Mildura Riverfront.
To compete at national events must be a huge thrill, but to win in front of your home crowd must be pure elation.
Here’s hoping Wakeboard Australia will be back for more in Mildura or Ouyen sometime soon.
***
No playing God
IN the spirit of Easter, this nugget of history came across our desk a few weeks ago from the Peeps in the Past page.
Below is an excerpt from Sunraysia Daily 50 years ago in which Mildura councillors declined to play God when it came to sport.
MILDURA City Council has decided it does not have the moral authority to prevent sport from being played on a traditional Christian holiday.
This followed an application from Imperials Football Club, which sought permission to use No.1 Oval on Easter Sunday this year.
During last week’s council meeting, the moral issue of sport on religious holidays was debated for more than half an hour.
Cr Lloyd Beasy said he opposed the application, as he believed council should not sanction organised sport on “such a significant day in the Christian calendar”.
In supporting his motion Cr Beasy said Sunday, and in particular Easter Sunday, was a day when the family unit should remain together.
Cr Michael Jobson said Sunday football did not affect the family unit.
“I believe such sports as football give the family unit an opportunity for a joint outing after church or other religious activity.”
The Mayor, Cr Kaye Gambetta, told council she believed no special rules should be applied to special games by council.
Cr Beasy’s motion was lost and the club was granted permission to use the oval on Easter Sunday.
