South Australian off road veteran Hayden Bentley will finally unveil his brand new trophy truck in the flesh when the Motorsport Australia Central East Cup gets underway later this month.
Taking place at Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park, around 35 crews from around the country will fight it out at the Can-Am Loveday 400 in order to win a free ticket into next year’s event.
As one of the drivers entered into the event, Bentley will be looking to replicate his recent success at the South Australian off road course where he has consistently been towards the front of the grid and won multiple class trophies.
However this month will be the first time Bentley runs in his new set of wheels after the cancellation of multiple AORC events delaying its debut.
Speaking in a Zoom chat with fellow contenders Roydn Bailey and Toby Whateley, Bentley revealed how excited he was to test out the car.
“We are really excited about it. We were interested to see what the car can do. Hopefully it will suit a track like that and there is only one way to find out so hopefully do the full 400km,” Bentley said.
“(The truck) has unfortunately been sitting here for almost a year waiting to go out in anger. We are excited to get this new machine out after what has ultimately two and half years in the making.
“It’s been sitting here and tinkering in the shed. It’s a long time in the making.
“Loveday is a great track and it’s probably not the perfect track for 2WD trucks. The Can-Am and Toby’s dished everyone up there many times.
“Last time we were there we finished and won our class each time. It is a great fun track to drive. Great event and great location.”
As for Bailey, while he hasn’t enjoyed much success at Loveday, he still enjoys contending there.
“I really like the track,” Bailey added.
“The track for us has been fairly hard. Most of the issues we have had seem to be around us breaking the car every time we are there.
“Hopefully this time around we can have a fairly good run. But I really love the track. Great for our cars.”
Entries for the off road event are still open with Early-Bird entries to close at 5pm ACDT on 19 October.
The Motorsport Australia Central East Cup takes place in Loveday on 23-25 October.
*This video is part of a five-part interview involving Toby Whateley, Hayden Bentley and Roydn Bailey.