Husband and wife Gareth and Ali Lougher participated in their first Motorvation event more than 20 years ago, and now the twin Grand Champions will welcome their 18-year-old son Reece to the Show for the first time at this weekend’s 35th running of the event at the Perth Motorplex.
In total, the Perth family will be fielding five impressive cars in the line-up for Motorvation 35.
“We went to our first Motorvation as entrants in 1998 – we had joined a local car club, the Perth City Street Machine Club, which owned and ran Motorvation at the time,” Gareth explained.
“In 2012 Alison won Grand Champion in 2012 with her Torana (pictured below) at Motorvation 26 up against an amazing bunch of cars which included two previous champions. We had built the car together with some great friends over 10 years, so it really was a dream come true for the both of us when she won. Then at Motorvation 30 in 2016 all but two of the previous Grand Champions were brought back to compete against each other for the crown of Champions of Champions, which Alison also won.
“Four years later at Motorvation 34, I was incredibly happy to join her as a Grand Champion and also Top Judged with my HR (pictured below), but that victory did come with some mixed feelings as we were disappointed the event was only run over one day which meant less entrants compared to the 700-plus entries over three-days back when Ali took out Grand Champion eight years earlier.
“Now 12 months later we are preparing for Motorvation 35 with renewed enthusiasm – the new partnership with Summernats is great and their involvement combined with a return to the three-day format is something we are very happy about and we have high hopes for the future.”
Despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, 510 entrants are confirmed for the three-day event for entrants which will includes Friday judging, cruising, music and camping ahead of the doors being thrown open to spectators for a huge Saturday and Sunday of showing, racing, skidding, cruising and partying.
Gareth and Ali will have four cars on-show at the event, showing their Grand Champion Torana and HR in the Elite tent, while also debuting their HK Monaro and 1931 Hot Rod (pictured below) in the Street segment of the show. At the same time, their son Reece will be making his Motorvation burnouts debut with his ‘MASHED’ 1986 Single Cab Rodeo with a Carby Meth LS1 engine.
“We usually only take one car each year, so it is going to be pretty full on taking four cars, but we want to do all that we can to support the Show,” Ali said.
“We are definitely excited about what the 2021 instalment has to offer, and are looking forward to a great weekend. Our thanks goes to Phil Wall and Sam Moribito who trimmed and wired the Torana, HR and Rodeo respectively, Ray Towell who painted and helped to build the Torana, Mark Cook who painted and helped build the HR, and Lennard Vidot.
“While Gareth and I may not be competing in the Show n Shine for the first time in a long time, we are immensely proud of our son Reece who will make his Motorvation debut. He helped his dad build the car and he is a natural on the skid pad. I am a bit nervous to watch him and I hope he doesn’t hurt the car after so much work, but Gareth and I are certainly looking forward to cheering him on from the sidelines.”
Being around the sport since before he could walk, no one was surprised when Reece decided he wanted to take part.
“I have been going to the burnouts since I was able to walk and I used to sit there and watch them all day. I have always loved seeing all the different ideas people have with their cars and all of the people I have met while getting involved has been great,” Reece explained.
“I have been involved personally for around a year now as I started skidding at the ‘Plex just over 12 months ago when I turned 17 – the first opportunity for me to take part.
“I am excited about my first Motorvation event – it will be great to see how it all turns out with Summernats now involved, I am pretty keen for a great show and we cannot wait to see the event go back to how it was when I was little with a really alive scene and a huge following.
“As I get ready for this weekend, I have to thank my dad for everything he has done for me on the car, my mum for supporting me at the events I have done, Lennard Vidot for his help and also my boss Sam Morabito for his mentoring during my apprenticeship,” concluded the apprentice auto electrician.
Motorvation 35 is Western Australia’s longest running car festival and takes place from January 15-17 for entrants and January 16-17 for spectators. For more information, visit www.results.motorplex.com.au
Pics: Images one through four supplied by Gareth Lougher. Image of Reece Lougher on burnout pad credit to High Octane Photos.
