A South Australian farmer has built a 60-kilometre circuit for off-road racing on his farm, attracting competitors from across the country to compete in an inaugural event.
Known for taking on big challenges, Ben McNamara turned a section of his property, located between Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln, into a 60-kilometre dirt circuit in just under a year.
Mr McNamara said he wanted to tick off-road racing off his bucket list and needed a circuit to practise on if he were to ever race on the Finke track in the Northern Territory.
"I got into off-road racing last year and then decided to build a practice track and from there, it sort of led into the bigger track ready to practise doing the Finke," he said.
Last weekend he hosted the Jamalka Off-Road Racing event on his property, an inaugural event held over three days, which drew competitors from across SA and interstate.
Mr McNamara runs a feedlot and cropping program, but has also tried his hand farming many other products, including quandongs and flowers for export.
He admits he isn't one to sit still and enjoys all aspects of a community event.
"I've always liked to do different things, and this just ticks a lot of boxes," Mr McNamara said.
"I like to do catering and I've always liked to build things and having bands playing so this ties it all in together with an event like this."
Interstate competitors
Husband and wife Alex Heinzel and Tori Warfe made the trip down from the Northern Territory to compete in the Pro Buggy class and challenge themselves on a new track.
The pair admitted they loved the track and adapted well to the wet conditions, something they weren't accustomed to after only ever driving on dry desert tracks in Alice Springs.
"We had to adapt and overcome," Mr Heinzel said.
"We have never really raced in rain or the mud before in the Territory, so it was good to race on different track conditions."
After having great success on the track, the pair encouraged other off-road motor sport competitors to compete in next year's event.
"It would be great to see more people from different states come down and give it a try," Ms Warfe said.
"Ben has put in a lot of time and effort getting everything sorted for us."
Local training ground
The event also saw a high number of Eyre Peninsula motorbike riders strap on their boots and helmets to compete.
Port Lincoln rider Jesse Malone took time off work in Roxby Downs to race in the open event.
"It's awesome to see something like this on the Eyre Peninsula. I've been here for 10 years, and I've never seen anything this good, so kudos to Ben."
Racer Tammy Peters has been riding motorbikes for more than 19 years and was the sole women's competitor at Jamalka.
She said it was great having such an event held locally.
"Anything like this we have to travel hours for normally, so to have it so close to home is so good, it's an amazing facility here."
Ms Peters said she hoped more female competitors would enter as the event grew in the coming years.
"Hopefully we might see some more ladies out here in the future come and have a ride and have a go."
Hundreds of spectators gathered trackside watching all the motorbike and car action, with some opting to camp over the weekend and enjoy the festivities.
Race coordinator Murry Rodgers said the success of the event was a credit to Mr McNamara and the volunteers.
"All the volunteers, they've helped behind the scenes with catering, managing the gate, lining up cars, cleaning the toilets and every other task," Mr Rodgers said.
No further clearance
Despite the event's success, there were concerns that Mr McNamara did not have the right environmental and planning permits in place when clearing vegetation on his property for the track.
The Department for Environment and Water said an investigation was underway and an enforcement notice had been placed over the property requiring that no further clearance took place.
Mr McNamara said he only cleared fence lines, which he said he was allowed to do, as long as it was 5 metres from the fence.
"Apparently I'm not allowed to open up tracks that have been closed for seven years," he said.
"All I've done is got a loader and taken off the grass to make it more visible."
Racing for points
Mr McNamara said he hoped to make Jamalka Off-Road Racing an annual event, affiliating with Motorsport Australia and enabling competitors to be able to race for points.
From behind the wheel of the loader to jumping in the hot seat of his own race buggy, Mr McNamara aims to come back bigger and better next year.
"My idea is that if we can get this up and running, we can join with the Don River Dash, the Finke and the Kalgoorlie Desert Run to see if we can make it a national event, that would be gold," he said.
