17/06/2026
There was an overflow of trepidation flowing through my skull as I left Cairns bound for Springmount Raceway on Saturday morning. The sky was on the blackened end of the scale at 9.30am in Cairns and raining, which pretty much meant I knew the tablelands would be a reflection of whatever the weather was doing on the coast.
After cresting the Gillies range in precipitation of a stormish fury, I was all but certain that there would be no racing today. Stopping at the The Atherton Car & Bike Show on the way further endowed my suspicions under conditions of chilly drizzle at the show, and inclement conditions all but decimating any chance of Dragway action in my mind.
None the less Ben, of Ben Wilson Photography whom I was travelling with assured me under guise of experience that Springmount had its own microclimate due to its location, and he was relatively sure that things would be different once we got there. I had heard that before too, and thankfully it’s true.
Had I not been travelling with Ben, I would most likely have cancelled my trip due to the coastal conditions, but luckily he and sixty odd other competitors who took the chance on fine weather at the venue were right, and the day went ahead, only once being vaguely threatened by rain early in the piece, that really wasn’t much more than an idle passing wet breeze that skirted around the venue.
The day brought about two acts of differential misfortune, which under condition of power application is par for course and unfortunately bound to happen, but no-one was hurt beyond feelings of disappointment. Other than that, a great many cars did what race cars do, and a lot of people thoroughly enjoyed the action.
The bike numbers were down this round but the ones that showed were pretty easy on the eye and purpose made to suit the job. One Harley, which going on looks is my favourite in FNQ, was surrounded by impressive sports bikes and deprived them all of the prize at the end of the day after putting on a really good show each and every run.
Given all the bike clubs, talking Harleys, as well as abundant groups of weekend warriors you see running sports bikes on the streets around town, I really wonder where they all are on race day.
I honestly thought more bikers would be taking advantage of raceday at the only track in FNQ where you really get to open the throttle and the chance to go mate on mate, while laying waste to the thought of lawful oppression on the streets. It’s got me a little perplexed in the brain-matter.
I’ve got 370 photo’s about to be posted over the next few days, but don’t forget the other photographers that put in the effort to bring the action and memories to the general public at a cost to themselves. They do sell their photo's too if that interests you.
Jump on their pages and give them a like and follow, and please share their work where applicable just to keep them interested.
Let them know that their efforts aren’t being wasted.
Ben Wilson 29 photography,
Madeleine Eames Photography,
Fnqfilm.
