Sandown fires up in January

Melbourne’s newest motoring festival, Sandown Revival, is shaping up as a must-attend event for serious car enthusiasts, with one of the strongest line-ups of classic, exotic and historically significant machinery seen on an Australian circuit in recent years.

Taking over the iconic Sandown Raceway this weekend – January 17-18 – Sandown Revival puts the focus squarely where it belongs – rare cars, driven as intended, on a circuit steeped in motorsport history.

From pre-war classics through to 20th-century icons and heavily modified customs, the event delivers an authentic celebration of motoring culture rather than a static show-and-shine. Across the two-day program, more than 300 vehicles will be competing on track and on display, offering a depth of variety rarely seen at a single event.

ON-TRACK HIGHLIGHTS

A major drawcard is the sheer calibre of prestige and exotic machinery being exercised at speed. Ferrari enthusiasts can expect around 15 cars spanning multiple eras, from a 1988 328 GTS through to a 360 Spider, all appearing in dynamic sessions across the weekend. Daily parade runs will also feature half a dozen Lamborghinis, while the Cobra Club will field more than 30 cars, including an AC Cobra, Shelby Coupe, and a GT40 replica – all showcased in motion. This is not a museum display. These cars will be driven, paraded and timed on one of Australia’s most storied circuits – an increasingly rare opportunity in modern motoring events.

FEATURED MACHINES

Among the standout vehicles appearing on display:

• Lamborghini Diablo A definitive 1990s supercar, the Diablo’s scissor doors, wedge profile and naturally aspirated V12 mark it as one of Lamborghini’s purest expressions. Appearing in the Supercars & Classics precinct.

• Ferrari 308 GT4 A Bertone-penned outlier in Ferrari’s lineage, the 308 GT4 represents a period where design experimentation met real performance, with sub-seven second 0–100km/h capability in period-correct form.

• Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster British grand touring at its finest — beautifully presented and capable of nearly 290km/h, combining traditional craftsmanship with serious pace.

• 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Replica A brutal interpretation of American muscle, powered by a fuel-injected 427W stroker with individual throttle bodies – equally arresting at rest or under full throttle.

With tickets selling fast, enthusiasts are encouraged to secure entry online to avoid queues on the weekend.

For those who value authenticity, mechanical theatre and seeing rare cars used as intended, Sandown Revival promises to deliver.

Click here to purchase tickets.