That’s sprintcars for you.

It’s an infectious combination that has drawn racer Gary Bruce back to the sport after back surgery, an injury suffered when his sprintcar slammed into the wall during a meet in 2011. 

The Bacchus Marsh racer will be one of 25 sprintcar drivers to compete in Thunder on the Mount Sprintcar Series at Buninyong’s Redline Raceway.

Saturday’s event will be the first of three meets and will feature with Formula V8, street stocks, VSC Open Sedan events.

“We will be chasing all three wins but there are some heavy hitters, including some Americans, that do it to put food on the table,” Bruce said.

“It’s a new car we’ve built and Saturday will be our first night in it, so it could be a bit of a gamble.

“We have no illusions though, racers like Paul Solomon are in good form.

“We’ll sit at the back and see what happens and try and win some races.” Bruce ripped up the track yesterday in a custom-made two-seater sprintcar, shredding three tyres along the way.

This reporter emerged from the back seat of the 800-horsepower speed machine with jelly legs and a smile that couldn’t be wiped off.

Organisers Rob Harris and Ray Solomon said the meet had attracted decorated American drivers Kyle Hurst and Geoff Ensign.

But they said a crop of Australian speedsters would “keep them honest”.

“It is the most exciting form of motorsport in the world, the Formula One of dirt,” Solomon said.  It’s full of action and you can see the whole race.”

“But the best bit for the crowds is when they flip,”  Harris added.

The following two rounds of the Thunder on the Mount series will be held on February 15 and March 8.