EVENT FAVOURITE: Scott Whittle, in his charger. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER.
WHEN the dust settles, hopefully sometime this afternoon, Ballarat drivers should have a fair idea of their home track.
Leading Ballarat competitors had access to a short exhibition drive at Redline Raceway this morning, ahead of this weekend's Victorian Standard Saloons Championship.
And they let fly too, for full effect.
Ballarat's Scott Whittle, a three-time Victorian title holder, looms as hot favourite among the 47 entries from across the state and into southern New South Wales.
He will fire up The General - a V8 Valiant Charger decked out in Dukes of Hazzard General Lee-style - to vie for a fourth crown.
But he was coy as to who his biggest rivals might be this weekend.
"We've had three different lead-up races (at Redline) for our class and the track's been different each time," Whittle said.
"I could say a few guys across the state who I think might win, but you never know."
Redline action starts with a grand parade from 4.30pm each day.