Sultans of speed
A new exhibition tells the story of land speed record attempters at the Lake Gairdner salt flatsEvery year a group of intrepid souls gathers at South Australia's remote Lake Gairdner salt flats attempting to break land speed records of more than 400km/h as part of Speed Week.
The gruelling competition organised by the Dry Lakes Racing Australia (DLRA) took place during the peak of summer in February earlier in 2013, and was immortalised by photographer Willem-Dirk du Toit, to be showcased in a free photographic exhibition in Melbourne.
The photographic exhibition, Sultans of Speed, takes place between October 3 and 24 at the JCP Studio, 51-57 Cubitt Street, Cremorne, VIC 3121, and tells the story of the racers who make the pilgrimage to the salt flats to set personal best speeds and potential national and global records.
Sultans of Speed aims to capture the essence of the personalities who take on the harsh salt plains of Lake Gairdner, says du Toit.
In 2013 competitors braved 48-degree heat to race on the 160km long salt flats, reaching speeds beyond 400km/h in sometimes very basic machinery.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the event is the cross section of competitors - some are struggling to pay for their vehicle's fuel while others are millionaires who are helicoptered in. Despite this, the harshness of the environment is the ultimate equaliser and many attempts end in failure.
The photographic exhibition by Willem-Dirk du Toit, Sultans of Speed, kicks off on Thursday October 3, 2013.
Sultans of Speed: Photographic Exhibition
When: Thursday, October 3 - 24, 2013 (Launch: 6pm, Thursday, October 3)
Where: JCP Studio, 51-57 Cubitt Street,Cremorne, VIC 3121
How much: Free
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