Motoring enthusiasts from all over Australia joined car lovers from the region for the Gnoo Blas Classic Car and Bike Show, on the grounds of what was once Orange’s own motor racing circuit.

Taking its name from the Aboriginal words for 'twin shoulders' which described Mt Canobolas and Pinnacle, the Gnoo Blas was a six kilometre track which took in Forest Road, Huntley Road and Bloomfield Road.

Gnoo Blas Classic Car Club president Denis Gregory said from 1953 – 1961 the roads would regularly be closed to the public to allow for racing, sporting and touring car events – an inconvenience for road users which would ultimately contribute to the track’s demise.

Mr Gregory said public complaint coupled with the tightening of safety and sound regulations meant the track was closed in 1961, despite the Orange hospital disputing claims patients had complained about the noise.

“The hospital superintendent said ‘the only patients who complain are the ones who can't get a good view of the race’,” Mr Gregory said.

Peter Amos attended the 25th Gnoo Blas with his red Vauxhall Viva purchased new from a Holden garage on Anson Street in 1964 by Kevin Crowe.

It belonged to Mr J. Hansons and Mrs Hilda Bennett before the old classic came to be in Rosemarie and Mr Amos’ driveway in Millthorpe.

Having fully restored the vehicle using parts from two cars purchased for the very purpose, the backyard mechanic said he painted it to replicate John Marchiori’s car which was one of six Vauxhall’s to top the leaderboard for their class in the 1964 Armstrong 500 at Mount Panorama in Bathurst. 

He said the fact the same make, model and numbers came off the track and rolled at the end of Conrod Straight the following year didn’t bother him.

“It’s only a show car now,” he said. “I don’t get in it and go mad like I used to as a teenager.”

Sonia Goodwin traveled from the Central Coast with her partner Rob McGinley in their 1963 220SE Mercedes Benz coupe, one of five Mercedes in their classics collection.

“It’s probably a disease I’m sure – of course we love it,” she said. “You’re keeping a little bit of history alive.”