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The streets of a West Australian country town have been transformed into an old-school race track in celebration of the storied history of Australian motorsport.
With roads closed and bollards erected, the streets of Northam, 100 kilometres east of Perth in WA's Wheatbelt, turn into a 1950s inspired racetrack almost overnight, where thousands of spectators watch time trial action up close.
Prior to the creation of purpose-built tracks such as Wanneroo Raceway and the Collie Motorplex, car enthusiasts took to the streets of towns such as Northam, Geraldton, Narrogin, Pingelly, Beverley and Albany.
The only two around-the-town style events that remain in Australia — Northam and Albany — are both in WA.
Northam Motor Sport Festival co-event coordinator Randle Beavis attributed the event's long-term success to the community's natural curiosity for days gone by.
"We are continually showing people, as they migrate away from cities and move to country regions, which we know they're doing ... that this is what used to happen once upon a time," Mr Beavis said.
"For this year's 90 competitors it is a chance to do something they may have never done before, all while showing off their pride and joy."
First run in 1952, before being phased out later that decade, the Northam Flying 50 re-emerged in 1999.
Entrant numbers for the 2024 event, held at the weekend, were the highest since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Beavis said safety was a key component of the event's continuation in the Wheatbelt.
"WA is unbelievably fortunate to get the only two events that the country has both in the same state," Mr Beavis said.
"We have recreated and managed each year's events in a manner that is showing the general public, shires and insurance companies that we can set up, run and achieve these events in today's world without any issues.
"We've been doing it for that long that the authorities have realised that these people know what they're doing, they can do it safely."
Mr Beavis said organisers with hopes of replicating the success of the Northam Flying 50 often had a critical eye on the event.
"We have been scrutinised, and we continually get scrutinised, because various motorsport groups on the east coast are always looking to do these kinds of events, and they keep getting knocked back," he said.
"We're under immense scrutiny about our events to make sure that we run them correctly, and that we don't have any major issues — but they can't find a reason to shut us down — that's how we see it."
The theme of this year's festival was Celebrating Women in Australian Motorsport.
Car enthusiast and first-time attendee, Janielle Andersen, showcased a 1934 Ford Coupe hot rod she shared with her partner in the show and shine competition.
Ms Andersen said the competitive spirit of V8 Supercars and Formula 1 increased her appreciation for all things automotive.
"I've always been the person who keeps a keen eye out for new cars on the road, cars I want to own and appreciated cars in all the senses," she said.
"Being a part of a car club has given us the ability to travel to different towns and make new friends.
"The race around the streets has been a stand out today; it's exciting to be at an event where people are actually racing the cars that they are showcasing."
Shire of Northam President Chris Antonio said the event was a focal point of the town's calendar, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars to local businesses.
"It's one of our four main cornerstone events of the year where people out of town travel to our shire and inject much-needed funds into our community," he said.
"I've already spoken to people who have booked their accommodation ready to come back next year which is a really good indication that we are doing something really special here."
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