When our good friends from Streetkarnage in Queensland told us they were organising an event, we got a bit excited for a few pretty simple reasons:
1) These guys are diehard car nuts
2) These guys don’t only build ridiculous rule breaking street cars, they also build them to slide
3) These guys know how to drink
So with these 3 points combined we knew that whatever it was that they had in store for us, it was going to be 110% worth being a part of… and it was.
Halfway Hangs MMXIV was put together and enjoyed by similar minded car enthusiasts throughout Australia’s East Coast (even a select few from Adelaide!) taking over a small town called Valla Beach and its Tourist Park.
Imagine it now, cabin after cabin of balls to wall Street and Drift cars. Everyone in attendance had the right frame of mind, ready for a perfect 3 day weekend of sunshine, good times and automotive glory.
Friday found the Show ‘n’ Shine being held within the grounds of the Valla Beach Tourist Park, as the sun raised and the background sound of crashing waves began to fade with singing birds and the occasional voice, the park seemed lifeless.
A few souls started to rise at around 10am, then the sound of launch control limiters and the smell of ethanol took over. Before you knew it, it was like the first morning train arriving into the CBD, the park was flowing with guys washing their cars and having a laugh. By midday all the cars were parked and beers were cracked.
An afternoon of laughs, chills, beers and cars took over. Small groups of people slowly started disappearing to the beach for a quick swim, to local shops for BBQ supplies and there were scattered picnics between cars and crews alike. The cars were judged, there was a spot of car limbo too and as the daylight started to fade away the evening’s festivities came into play.
We found ourselves chilling in front of a bon fire on a sandbar island just behind the park, some others found themselves having a crack at Coffs Harbour’s nightlife. We all knew we would have to be up early for the Drifting… at least we thought we knew.
Saturday came and surprisingly 90% of the cars that needed to be up early for scrutineering at 8am made it on time, with the others lagging not far behind. Slowly the rest followed and spectators set up on the hills surrounding Raleigh Raceway to watch some of Australia’s craziest drift cars tear up a very thin go kart track full of elevation changes, tight corners and big drop offs. This didn’t keep some of the big 5, 6, 700hp cars grabbing third and destroying every bit of their tyres, front lips and sideskirts.
The day was a huge success and the after party was epic to say the least.
If you’re die hard and are reading this thinking “this is what I’ve been waiting for” remember the name, Halfway Hangs, because it will be back.
Links:
Photography by SlowNserious Photography: https://www.facebook.com/slowNserious
Video by Byza.
http://www.halfwayhangs.com
http://www.streetkarnage.net
