20 Aug FATHER AND SON READY FOR MEGUIAR’S APC DEBUT THIS WEEKEND
Grant and Darcy Inwood will bring the Inwood name to Meguiar’s Australian Production Cars and Phillip Island for the first time this weekend (August 23-25), as the category visits the picturesque circuit for the fourth round of its 2024 season as part of SRO Motorsport’s GT Festival.
In their B1 #143 A1 Towing Bathurst Subaru STI, the Inwoods will take on four one-hour races across the weekend, with all the action to be streamed live on Speedcafe TV, GT World’s YouTube channel, and on the Meguiar’s APC Facebook page.
Their new adventure into this category follows standing on the podium (2nd for B1, also 11th outright) of the 2024 Bathurst 6 Hour alongside Grant’s eldest son, Harry, with who he won the B1 class in the same event the year before alongside co-driver Tim Colombrita.
“I have always been a Subaru enthusiast as my father had a Subaru dealership when I was growing up,” Grant explained.
“I decided to go production car racing so I could share the thrill and experience with my sons, purchasing the car in 2021 from Brett McFarland, who had purchased it from Adam Proctor.
“We have already enjoyed the two Bathurst 6 Hours, and are now looking forward to a new challenge in the Australian Production Cars, planning to compete not only this weekend, but also at the rest of the events scheduled for the 2024 season.”
Like his sons, the introduction to motorsport for Grant – who describes himself as a ‘young’ 56 – came courtesy of family.
“I first got involved with my eldest brother Stuart Inwood doing lap sprints, hill climbs and sport sedans. I then turned to go karts for several years before having a break until my boys started karting – taking them around doing state and national events gave me the bug again,” said the motor mechanic and owner of A1 Towing Bathurst, which employs 15 staff and has a fleet of 14 trucks.
“I won an Over 40s national class in the karts and then we turned our focus to Harry racing in the Australian Pulsar Series, which eventually lead to the Subaru and Production Car racing.”
Just like his dad, Darcy – who started karting at nine years old and has been a consistent top five finisher across local, state and national competitions – relishes the opportunity to race with his family.
“I really enjoy going away with my family and friends for good racing,” Darcy said.
“The memories we make are really special – my best achievement so far has to be standing on the podium with dad and my brother at this year’s Bathurst 6 Hour.
“I really like the hard, clean and good racing offered by the Australian Production Cars, and I can’t wait to get into it,” added the 23 year old.
To prepare for this weekend’s action, the Subaru has undergone some repairs while Darcy has been putting in some miles on the simulator and trying (unsuccessfully) to get his dad to do the same.
“We had an overheating issue at the Sydney 300, but it didn’t stop us winning our class and being 11th outright!” Grant explains.
“This is our first trip to Phillip Island and we are both pumped, I just hope the car has the straight line speed, as the BMWs are so fast,” he added, while thanking the pair’s sponsors – A1 Towing Bathurst, Blatch Smash Repairs, The Bridge Hotel Perthville, GC Concerting Solutions, and Ozzy Outhouse Hire – for their support.
Round four of the 2024 Meguiar’s Australian Production Cars season will be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit across August 23-25. Entries for this event are now closed but remain open for rounds five and six. To learn more about Meguiar’s APC, visit www.ausprodcars.com.au or email admin@ausprodcars.com.au
2024 MEGUIAR’S AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION CARS CHAMPIONSHIP DATES:
- Round 1 – Sandown Raceway – February 9-11, 2024 – Four 30-minute races
- Round 2 – The Bend – May 31-June 2 – Four 1 hour races
- Round 3 – Queensland Raceway – July 12-13 – Three hour Fight in the Night enduro
- Round 4 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – August 23-25 – four 1 hour races
- Round 5 – Sydney Motorsport Park – 18-20 October – Four 1 hour races
- Round 6 – Bathurst International – 8-10 November – Four 30-minute races
Photo thanks to Speed Shots Photography