Calder Park - Blog Posts
My Neil Bonnett Tribute!
I made these works of art in honor of the late Neil Bonnett and decided to combinded them with the footage that inspired them.
I also decide to use some audio of one my favorite quotes to show his mindset ; I want show what kind of man was and how powerful the thrill of racing was for him.
The Audio and Footage used is covered under the Grounds of Fair Use.
DeviantArt Description- A Winner Down Under
'February 28, 1988
Calder Park Thunderdome, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Pipe Fitter turned NASCAR Driver Neil Bonnett is about to make history, by becoming first man to win a NASCAR race outside the North American continent; He is a member of a fabled group friends known as 'The Alabama Gang' this group is comprised of fellow drivers Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison and Red Farmer, whose careers like his began on the Alabama Dirt and Short Track scene before reaching the ranks of NASCAR.
Calder Park Raceway was the vision of Australian Businessman Bob Jane, who seeks too bring superspeedway excitement to the Land Down Under; Jane promotes this new track and manages to convincing the American based NASCAR into holding their first ever overseas exhibition race, with the finest race car drivers of both the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Australia to participate.
Neil Bonnett driving the Rahmoc Enterprises No. 75 Valvoline sponsored Pontiac Grand Prix, accepts the challenge realizing the rare opportunity that lays ahead of him; Neil remains calm and cool the under pressures placed upon him by the new track and the unforgiving heat, he has won a number races before this including one at Richmond the before week; He dominates field leading several laps holding off friend and rival Bobby Allison, Bonnett handles the car with the ease of a relaxing Sunday drive thorough his native Hueytown; Neil's patience pays off as the checkered flag drops he scores his first and only win on foreign soil, thus making him a rare back to back winner on two separate continents.'
In Honor of the late Neil Bonnett's Birthday July 30, 1946; I decided to make a watercolor painting of his greatest racing victory's at the Goodyear NASCAR 500 on February 28, 1988 at the Calder Park Thunderdome in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Neil Bonnett made history after already having won the Richmond 400 the previous weekend, setting his sights on a win in the land down under; After a gruelingly hot 500 Kilometers or 310 Miles Bonnett pulled into victory lane becoming a Winner on two separate continents back to back.