Yes, it was hot and dusty but who cared?

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Set-up at Perkolilli began in the earnest on Tuesday prior to the Thursday start. Lynn and Ross Oxwell, and Greg Eastwood arrived to coordinate the logistics including pedestrian barriers, water supplies, toilets, scaffolding and marquees. Graham Cohan was a keen helper. Cathy set up the information book. The Revival Village began to take shape with the Eastern Goldfield Historical Society tent, the Vintage Sports Car Club and food vendors. Then the Variety Club boys, led by Paul Burgess, arrived. They descended on the claypan with trucks loaded with shipping containers, generators and light towers – even fake grass – the create the “Swinging Arms”, a superb bar which was a great asset for the Revival. By event end, it had raised more than $15,000 for its children`s charity. A village of tents and a line of cars and motorcycles in the pits stretched out over 250 meters.

A steady stream of four-wheel drivers, trailers and caravans flowed into Perkolilli every day until well over 870 campers were counted by one keen observer. Aircraft flew in from as far as Perth Bunbury and Esperance. Muz Wood and his mates from the Goldfield Dust Devils took to the air in ultralights. Jim Williams coordinated a marvellous squadron of aircraft which flew in, including Kevin Bailey`s Stinson Reliant. Tony Haalebos arrived from Sydney to reunite himself with his Ford T ute which was brought to Perko from Perth by Paul “Sludge” Andrews from Outback Truckers. Paul Day and his mates skated across the clay on land yachts, including a replica 1913 Bleriot sand yacht. The York Motor Museum`s 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile driven by Gary Byfield and John Bullock, and owned by Peter Briggs, puttered through the pits. The Goldfields Cycle Club ran a Kalgoorie to Perkolilli race up to Kanowna Road, along the dirt track and twice around the claypan before a sprint to the finish, won by Mayor`s son, Daniel Bowler.

The crowd of spectators increased each day from Thursday, peaking in Saturday when an estimated 5,000 motorsport fans stretched three deep from the start line more than 400 meters along the track to the aircraft camping area.

Lake Perkolilli had never seen anything like this in modern times. Yes, it was hot and dusty but who cared? The motorsport was stunning. Cars and motorcycles kicking up clouds of dust, cars emerging from a bright red haze, motorcycles on song at speed. It was just like the 1920s when motorcycle speeds in excess of 160 kph were commonplace…

This is a passage from the introduction of the book; Red Dust Revival 2019 Lake Parkolilli, by Graeme Cocks, Western Australian motoring historian and one of the organisers of this unique event.

There are thousands of stories to be told by everyone who was part of the Red Dust Revival. Earlier James Nicholls told us about this experience and we showed you some Action on Lake Perkolilli.

The spirit of the Red Dust Revival captured in photographs

Recently a photographic celebration of the event came out. A beautiful book of high quality. The spirit of the Red Dust Revival 2019 has been captured in 350 full-colour photographs by photojournalist Sharon Smith. With contributions from Des Lewis, Nicole Lothe, James Nicholls, Ken Sharpe, Peter Tholhuysen, Jim Williams, Donnalea Wilyman and Casey Wood.

It is a limited edition book. Click here to order a copy of the book to add to the collection.

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