JKD Racing News & Updates
28th April to 1st May 2022
Racing Wanneroo Raceway Perth, Western Australia
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Most people might not know, a 2-day motorsport event is actually a 4 day deal for race teams, with set-up commencing on the Thursday morning.
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Yes, we arrive to the circuit on a Thursday for setup (bunking in), unloading the truck and setting up our garage ready for the weekends action. Depending on the circuit there is also a track walk slot of around 2 hours for V8 Supercar support categories, normally on the Thursday or Friday.
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Our Perth visit was a little different, after setting up at the track, we made the trek to the far side of Perth to visit our partner โAletekโsโ Perth office.ย ย Meeting the Aletek team on arrival, we unloaded the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute and cleaned the vehicle after itโs journey across the country.ย ย Once clean, we drove the vehicle into their main warehouse area and setup for display.
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The Aletek Perth Team were a great bunch, Brett, Michael & Russell looked after us with some refreshing drinks and a BBQ.ย ย Their clients started rolling in just after 4pm and were quick draw to the race vehicle, asking lots of questions and taking photos.ย ย
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Come Friday we headed to the track and started all the normal checks ready for our practice session.ย ย Team Manager โBrendanโ loves ensuring the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute is ready for action and goes through a routine of a number of checks.
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Iโve not driven at this circuit before but loved the sweeping bends and the elevation changes the track provides.ย With a 20min practice session you need to be on the ball and start working out your braking points quickly, ensuring you at the right speed to turn following the lives through the corner you feel are best for your equipment.
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For qualifying we made some minor changes and sorted our tyres for the session.ย Although there is a couple of hours in between sessions, it comes around quickly.ย I pushed hard early, with my first full lap being my quickest.ย ย Resulting in a P12 starting position.
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Saturday morning Race 1 was a normal start, although in turn 1 I held back a little which cost me a couple of spots in the opening lap.ย On the next lap I managed to move back up one spot, only to have spin a few laps later.ย ย Composing myself as I re-joined and kept my head down and pushing on, crossing the line in P13.
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Race 2 was a slightly better start for me, gaining a position on the opening lap.ย On lap 3 I gained a couple more positions moving up to 10th, but 2 laps later I did it again, having a spin on my own which dropped me back 3 spots before I was back on and charging.ย Fighting on, I kept into it while my team manger reminded me to keep my head down a focus forward.ย End-result was good considering a spin coming back to finish 11th.
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Sunday Race 3, and after a morning briefing with team manager โBrendanโ, we had a new plan for todayโs races and tried a minor setup change.ย The start I was more focused on pushing hard through turn 1, which paid off.ย Up to 9th place on the opening lap, putting a couple of cars that had been quicker than me all weekend behind.ย On the next lap, I left a gap which resulted in them both getting back past me.ย I pushed on keeping with them but dropped another spot a couple of laps later.ย While pushing to get back, omg I have done it again, having a spin in exit of turn 1.ย ย The car had stalled and it took a moment to get it going again, not able to see back around the corner I radio called to ensure I was clear and hit the gas as the call came, โCLEAR, GO GOโ.ย Not one for giving up I pushed on, which paid off, coming home in 10th place.
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Not something we want to see during any race meeting, a team member injury resulting in medical team visiting our garage.
Our Team Manager “Brendan Avard”, while working hard on the Gatesยฎ๏ธ V8 Superute, suffered a major cut to his right knee.ย While checking the vehicle over, he went to get out from under the car and hit his knee on the inside of the rear bumper, resulting in a large cut.
Brendan held the cut closed while having team members offering him chairs, drinks and comfort while Gavin raced to get medical team.ย The medics were there very quickly and did a great job and decided to take Brendan back to the at track medical centre.
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Being a true passionate racer, Brendan hobbled back from the medical centre to take up his place as Team Manager for the last race and was keen to see me take his earlier advice into the last race.
As soon as the race was over, he then allowed us to take him off to a local medical facility for treatment. Receiving 4 internal and 7 external stitches, before being chauffeur driven back to our Perth accommodation for a relaxing drink and BBQ.
Love your passion Brendan, and on behalf of all the JKD Racing Team and Partners, we wish you a speedy recovery.
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Race 4, frustration was kicking in a bit, 3 races and I had spun in all of them, something I have never done.ย ย I had chat with Brendan about strategy for this last race, his key words were โDonโt Spinโโฆ.ย ย Did I listen, not a hope, of course I did do it again with complete disbelief this time, as the spot was between turns 3 & 4, and area I felt strong in as the weekend had progressed.ย ย Brendan & spoke in detail about the start and turn 1, what worked in race 3 and what I could try for the last race.ย ย The lights went out and I was on fire, getting through to P7 on the opening lap, holding my position well I had series leader come up from behind into turn 1, out braking me I turned in behind him and pushed to maintain a gap and stick with him.ย On the next lap around I lost one more spot in the exact same corner, chasing to keep with Formosa, I had my spin between 3 & 4, shaking my head in frustration, I called on radio and said โyep, done it again, sorry teamโ.ย ย This dropped me back to 12th, as I kept into it, but on lap 11 as I pushed in the clutch for a gear change, there was an almighty bang, and I had no drive, could not select a gear and could smell the clutch.ย ย All I could do was roll down the hill with the momentum I had and role in to pit lane to end our weekend.
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It was a weekend of highs and lows, but we learned more about the car and I got a new nickname from the team. โwhirlpoolโ
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Bring on round 3, our home track Winton Raceway.






23rd to 27th April 2022
Road Trip to Perth, Western Australia
What an adventure for our team.ย ย
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We had just purchased a larger truck to transport the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute inside the back of.ย ย Purchased from Geelong, Vic, I drove our purchase back to our workshop in Winton North, Vic.ย ย ย It travelled well, with just a few things noted that required attention.ย Once back to the workshop, I had time to conduct a service and safety check before loading up for the 3600km journey to Wanneroo Raceway in Western Australia.ย
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Of course, nothing ever goes to plan on a road trip.ย ย
Day 1 of the journey went smoothly, well sort ofโฆย ย Initially I stopped each hour to check everything was secure, during one of these stops I found the hard top on the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute had broken away from its hinges. The gas struts that normally would hold the hardtop lid up, had in fact pushed the lid backwards against the tailgate of the truck. Luck would have it, it must have just occurred, as there was no damage to the uteโs hardtop lid.
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The rest of the day went very well, until I decided to stop for the night and setup camp and cook dinner on the gas stove. I unloaded everything required for my roadside dinner and set up the gas cooker. While opening a cold drink, my brain ticked over โoppsโ, I have nothing to light the gas stove with.ย ย Being the clever cookie that I am, I thought I can just use the truck lighter. Bow bow, not a hope was this going to work, I need a flame, and nothing I tried to light the stove would ignite. Oh well, at least I had crackers and dip in the fridge. Not the healthiest of meals for a race car driver, but it got me through.
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Day 2 I woke around 7am, after an interesting night sleep. What I thought was a mattress behind the seat in the truck, is actually styrene foam covered with material, hmmm not the comfiest to sleep on. After some fruit juice and a stretch, I hit the road, determined to cover as many kmโs as I could. Stopping every 2 to 3 hours for a break and checking our precious cargo. During the day I stopped at a roadhouse and made sure I bought a lighter for the stove. Nice easy day, stopping just before dark to enjoy a cooked meal on the gas stove.
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Day 3 just past Ceduna SAย I lost any radio and phone signal, I decided it was time to crack out the stack of CDโs I had packed. All excited for some ad free music, I was soon heartbroken to discover the CD player decided it was not going to work.ย Arrrrhhh, a day and a half with no signal, how will I cope. Oh yes, you can get ABC talkback on the odd occasion, but I decided to just enjoy the noises of the truck and the fact I was experiencing a great part of Australia.
Day 4 was much of the same with stopping just before dark, about 200kms out from Perth. I enjoyed a nice scotch steak, pasta salad and some juice with a great view of country Australia.
Morning broke on day 5, I took my time cruising into Perth and taking care of a few business items along the way.ย OH oh oh, including spotting a sign that was welcoming to Perth for me. โBrooking RDโ was off the main highway into Perth, I just had to stop and take a picture.




7th to 9th Apr 2022
Gatesยฎ V8 Superute on Display
What a week of automotive, not only were the F1’s on in Melbourne, but also the trade Auto Expo opened it’s doors.
Over the course of the 3days, the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute was on display in the main concourse for the entire event.
Our team driver Dean Brooking was at the Gatesยฎ stand each afternoon and meet with many customers.


27th Mar 2022
Round 1 Sunday in Tasmania
Our race 2 team debrief on the Saturday night, resulted in some discoveries of why we lacked the pace we had in race 1, so changes were made in preparation for race 3.
Race 3, due to points allocation from the previous day’s racing, we were placed in position 15 for the Sunday morning start of race 3’s 16 laps.ย Our start off the line was good, we maintained our pace and strategy for this race, to learn more about the cars behavior.ย ย This allowed us maintain good speed and improved lap times to come home in 11th place.
Race 4, another great start off the line, although we arrived at turn 2 with cars being turned in front of us.ย After some evasive action across the grass, we were then met out of turn 3 with cars bouncing of the fence, which resulted in the safety car being called out.ย ย After a 15 minute wait on the start finish line, the race was unfortunately cancelled due time constraints.
Overall we would have liked better results, but we came away with a smile, a straight car and we learned a great deal more about getting the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute up to speed.ย ย
Bring on Perth……. 3th April – 1st May 2022


26th Mar 2022
Round 1 Saturday in Tasmania
Our team’s first ever race in the V8 Superute Series aboard the Gatesยฎ V8 Superute was a tough day at the office.
Race 1, we had a great start off the line and claimed some early positions, although as the race progressed our tyres started to go off resulting in a couple of spins.ย After a second quick recovery our engine warning light came on, indicating low oil pressure.ย Not good for a race engine, we chose to shut it down, rather than risk a 300kw engine.
Race 2, we started a couple of spots back on the grid and this time had a shocker of a start.ย Spinning the wheels to much off the line and having to make a second attempt put us a the rear very quickly.ย ย After swapping spots a couple of times early in the race with Best, we were down on power which became noticeable along the back straight.ย ย Then at 200km arrived at turn 6 with no ability to stop, there was oil all over the braking area, which sent us straight into the dust.ย The only bonus being a great photo!ย ย ย We managed to come home in 11th and considering our race drama’s we were lucky.


22nd Mar 2022 – School Visit
Gatesยฎ V8 Superute Visits Tafe Students
Our Gatesยฎ V8 Superute visited Parkdale Secondary College in Victoria, starting JKD Racing’s new program aimed a students commencing tafe courses while still attending secondary schooling.
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The JKD Racing program is aimed at year 10 & 11 students who attend tafe courses and giving them some insight into the many employment opportunities that are available in the world of motorsport.ย ย
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Along with the teachers, students really enjoyed taking advantage of a first hand look at the V8 Superute up close.ย After a short presentation, students asked loads of questions and showed great interest in various aspects of motorsport in general.ย Students were given the opportunity to experience sitting in the driver’s seat and ask further questions about the inside setup.
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If your school would like the team to visit, please contact us to register for our program.


10th Mar 2022 – Partner Update
Gatesยฎ Australia Launches Motorsport Sponsorship Lineup For 2022
Gatesย Australia recently announced its lineup of motorsport sponsorships for the coming 2022 racing season. After interrupted cancelled and rescheduled rounds across the last two seasons Gatesย has come out in 2022 with its largest sponsorship lineup in the companyโs history in Australasia.
Gatesย will be sponsoring Grove Racing which comprises of a number of motorsport categories. Grove Racing leads with the Penrite Racing team competing in the 2022 Supercar Series with newly signed drivers David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth. David and Lee are successful veteran drivers with a combined win record of 50 wins and 179 podium places as well as Leeโs most recent Bathurst 1000 win last season. Gatesย is excited to see what this newly formed team can achieve this season.

Grove Racing will also have rising star Matthew Payne competing in the Super2 series. Payne comes to Grove Racing as a karting star from New Zealand, holding various karting championships such as the KZ2 National Sprint Championship. Payne made his Super2 debut at Sydney Motorsport in 2021. At only 19 years of age the team has high hopes for Matthew this season.

Gatesย is also the naming rights sponsor of the JKD Racing V8 SuperUte competing in this year’s V8 SuperUtes category. Team Director and driver Dean Brooking is hoping the Toyota Hilux will give him every chance for success in his rookie season in the category. Dean has experience in a variety of state-level events, most recently in the 2015 Hyundai Excel Championship series. Dean will compete in the six-round V8 SuperUte Series starting off on March 26-27 in Tasmania.
Gatesย will also be sponsoring Grove Racing Team Owner Stephen Grove who will be competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup and Porsche GT Trophy Championship. Stephen debuted in 2011 at the Sandown state series and is a veteran driver with 8 wins and 27 podium places.
Gatesย in association with its distributor Hydraulink New Zealand is sponsoring the Sullivan Racing teams 2014 Porsche Carrera GT3 Cup car in the South Island Endurance Series in New Zealand in 2022.
Gatesย Australia launched its motorsport sponsorship lineup with an event at the Gatesยฎ
Australia head office on Thursday the 17th of February, unveiling the new Toyota Hilux V8 SuperUte with its new livery as Gatesยฎ as the naming rights sponsor.
Gates Australia staff were first to see the new livery revealed and were able to take photos and see the SuperUte up close, Dean Brooking, Team Director of JKD Racing got behind the wheel and revved the ute demonstrating its impressive 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine.

Alongside Dean and the JKD Racing team, the staff got to meet Gatesย sponsored Penrite Racing drivers David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth. After a BBQ luncheon, the staff had a Q&A with Dean and the Supercar drivers, followed by autograph signing and photos with all the drivers.
Gatesย Australia will be doing a lot of advertising and promotion in conjunction with the Supercars media this season, just launched is the Gatesย sponsored ‘Rev Limiter’ podcast, the first episode is available now, if you would like to listen you can download it from the following sources:
Regards,
GATES AUSTRALIA

5th Mar 2022 – Test Day
The Gates ยฎ V8 Superute will be testing at Winton Raceway in NE Victoria.
If you are close by drop in and say hello to the Gates ยฎ JKD Racing Team. Watch as we prepare for our first event coming later this month at Symmons Plains, Tasmania.ย 25th – 27th March 2022
23rd Feb 2022 – P๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
JKD Racing is extremely proud to announce our 2022 partnership with Aletek.
Aletek is an Australian manufacturing success story. From humble beginnings, Aletek now spans the globe supplying mining-specific DPFs, Thermal Insulation Blankets, and Heavy Duty Exhaust Systems.
If your company deals with mobile mining equipment, reach out to Aletek for tailor-made solutions that can improve your equipment and safety for your workers.
A spokesperson from Aletek announced, โ๐๐ฆโ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ค๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ต ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐8 ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ๐๐ต๐ฆ ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ข. ๐๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ช๐ด๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ธ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ค๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ 2022 ๐ด๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ธ๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฅ๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐บ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ! ๐๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถโ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ด๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ช๐ท๐ช๐ฅ๐ถ๐ข๐ญ๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐ข ๐ฅ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ, ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ธ๐ฆโ๐ฅ ๐ด๐ข๐บ ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ช๐ต. ๐๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐บ ๐ด๐ข๐บ, ๐ต๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฌ. ๐๐ฐ ๐จ๐ฆ๐ต โ๐ฆ๐ฎ, ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฏ!โ
To keep up to date with our team and the Gates ยฎ V8 Superute, follow JKD Racing on social media.


18th Feb 2022 – JKD Racing Partner with Gates ยฎ Australia
JKD Racing is extremely proud to announce our 2022 partnership with Gates ยฎ Australia.
Gates ยฎ are world leader’s in fluid drive components with over 100 years of global product manufacturing experience.ย Continually pushing the technology boundaries with a driven research & development program to exceed the standards of today’s consumer expectations.
In a world of continual advanced automotive technology, Gates ยฎ continually strives to be the industry leader in fluid power and power transmission products, that offer an endless solution to customers globally.
Gates ยฎ Australia and JKD Racing have partnered up to bring you the Gates V8 Superute.ย We will be competing in 6 Championship rounds across Australia in the V8 Superute Series, which is a major support category to the V8 Supercar Series.
To keep up to date with everything Gates ยฎ & the Gates V8 Superute, follow JKD Racing on social media.
LET’S GO RACING, “Gates V8 Superute Racing”
14th Feb 2022 – We’re Going V8 Racing.
JKD Racing is proud to announce we are joining the National V8 Superute Championship Series in a 6.2 Litre 300kw V8 Toyota Hilux for the full 2022 season.ย ย
Weโve been working hard during the past 2 years of covid, which includes building a new workshop in North East Victoria just 15mins from Winton Motor Raceway.ย ย Basing our team in NE Vic, allows us to attend more test days with various race vehicles and look at connecting with locals who can become part of our future.
The team’s new headquarters is now built, it was designed with room to expand as required over the coming years, and the driveway modified to accommodate large truck access.ย


26th Sept 2021 – ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
JKD Racing are proud to announce a new 3 year partnership deal with DIGGER TACTICAL, supporting our Black Astra Sports Sedan #52.
DIGGER TACTICAL are a Professional film industry services provider of armour, on set fire arms safety, fight scene choreography and actor courses in correct handling of firm arms for film.
With an array of services, DIGGER TACTICAL have worked with; The Shannon Company (Victoria Police Recruiting TVC)
Channel 7 (Sunday Night),
HP Boyz (Rumours)
University of Melbourne (VCA)
The St Kilda Film Festival, Gravemind (Band)
Oliver Productions, Hamish Brooks, Tiana Lioulios, Amanda Sobo, Nathan Thompson, Nancy Rizkย (Full Disclosure Series)
James Plant, Daniel Robbins, Phillip Dixon, Michael O’Malley, Alice Hutchinson, Nicholas Smith, Hayley Adams, Claudio Araya, Gabrielle Christopher, Ashleigh Watson, Pan Murujaiyan, Jordan Benjamin, Freya Hosking, Erica Soloman, Joel Smith, Mitchel Edwards, Maria Tevelis, Marc Natoli (the Proposal)
Alice Hutchinson, Phillip Kilmek (The Hand)
Jye Hawley, Joshua Dawe, Kelly Jackson, David Lam, Riley Sugars (Rabbits), RMIT Students, Alex Gordon (Raven)
Blacklisted Productions, Priscilla Catania (Deceived)
& so many more.
Welcome DIGGER TACTICAL to JKD Racing.
21st Sept 2021 – New JKD Racing Workshop
The concrete slab is down for our new JKD Racing workshop being built in NE Victoria, Australia.
Our new facility will be 200m2, which looks small when the building is not complete.ย ย We originally were going to build a 500m2 workshop, although opted for a smaller size, as we also have another 200sqm building already on site for storage.ย
With fantastic views and the sounds of cars at Winton Motor Raceway, we love the new location that is only 15mins from the track.
We’re pumped and looking forward to moving in to the new building in Oct 2021.ย ย

6th Sept 2021 – JKD Racing’s New Workshop
Our new workshop is underway with plans to be moving in early Oct 2021.ย
Deliveries of materials started to arrive early Sept and concrete is being poured in week 3, with a fantastic view over Winton North, we can’t wait.
The team are getting excited to walking in and setting up the workbenches, hoists and race car builds.

JKD Racing’s SC4 Astra
During Victorian lockdown, we have been taking our time making modifications to the SC4.
Now with increased power, new front bar, new livery that will be revealed soon and other changes ready for racing when events can go ahead.
Love the Sport – Motorsport

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