It may have a new name and a new pit complex compared to 27 years ago, but the essence of Carco.com.au Raceway hasn’t changed as Melinda Price celebrates her return to the venue this weekend – and she has a special breast cancer message to share too.
Photo: Aimee Hyde
Price is competing in Radical Cup Australia as a support class to the Supercars Championship this weekend, and the Wanneroo venue is the same circuit where she made her Australian Touring Car Championship debut. Then driving the popular Castrol Cougars Holden Commodore in 1997, Price ran competitively with the frontrunners.
This weekend, she returns to Western Australia on another mission by highlighting Breast Cancer Network Australia’s (BCNA) Pink Bun campaign during the month of May.
All proceeds from the sale of the limited edition Pink Buns at Bakers Delight go directly to BCNA. In addition, Pink Bun Parties held all across Australia, including at Carco.com.au Raceway this weekend, will donate all proceeds to the charity.
Inspiring fellow breast cancer survivors and all Australians impacted by breast cancer, Price has a donation page set-up at this link: https://pinksportsday.bcna.org.au/my-fundraising/1665/melinda-price
Price will hold a Pink Bun Party in the Radical paddock at 2pm this Saturday, gaining support from Volante Rosso, her team-mates and Supercars, which will highlight her cause on the broadcast this weekend.
It occurs at a memorable venue for Price as she still fondly remembers her touring car debut as part of the Castrol Cougars program – one which was ahead of its time.
Volante Rosso will run four entries for Melinda Price/Greg Kenny, Peter Clare/Josh Hunt, Jim Hernandez and Colin Ivory at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint on May 17-19.
“I return this weekend to Perth where I made my touring car debut with the Castrol Cougars,” said Price.
“It gets replayed from time-to-time due to Larry Perkins and John Bowe having a monster battle – one of the best battles of all time.
“It had been raining and most of the others went on wets, but we didn’t know what to do. We opted to go out on slicks and it was quite wet at the start before it dried out towards the end. Larry and JB came up to lap me, which I moved out of the way, but when it got drier I ended up being faster than both of them. They were holding me up and it got to a point where I roared up behind Larry under brakes, so I elected to drop back a bit after that.
“It could have been my first and last touring car race right there!
“It’s a great track. It’s been a long time since I’ve raced there and I’ve been on the sim practicing. I know it’s been resurfaced and I have been there in the meantime doing.a bit of driver training, so it’s not been 20 years since I’ve seen the track.
“It’s cool being involved in a Supercars weekend as it ups the buzz surrounding the event.
“I support Breast Cancer Network Australia, which I have done for a little while and with the program in full swing I’ve got my own donation page.
“From 9-29 May, Bakers Delight, the foundation partner of BCNA, is selling Pink Buns with 100 percent of sales being donated. You can also host a Pink Bun Party, which I will be doing in the Radical paddock outside the Volante Rosso pit on Saturday at 2pm.
“Volante Rosso has jumped onboard to support, my team-mates will carry Pink Lady stickers on their cars and Supercars has been really supportive too.”