SINGLETON’S Peter Bennett is certainly no stranger to success. Over the years, he has collected a myriad of trophies, medallions, plates and banner for his quality custom cars.
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But, his latest accolade from the 2018 Street Machine Summernats Car Festival will certainly be taking pride of place in his garage, alongside his show stopping 1955 Chevy Bel Air.
The bright orange and black beauty scored Peter and his wife Sandra a place in the Top 10 at the prestigious Summernats car show, an honour very few can boast.
“We were happy to have made it into the Top 60, but to get into the Top 10 is very exciting,” Mr Bennett said.
“It’s a massive title.”
This year alone, more than 2500 of Australia's toughest modified cars descended on Exhibition Park in Canberra, all there to contest the range of titles on offer. Needless to say, it was a tough competition.
However, the Bennetts’ success certainly didn’t stop at a place in the Top 10.
Peter managed to snag the title of Top Custom Classic Elite Body Style in the Elite Street category, which showcases the very best of the best from across the country.
On top of that, he was one of only 11 selected to the exclusive event, Alice Springs Red Centre Nats, to be held in late August of this year.
But the real cherry on top was being selected as a finalist for Australia’s largest and most prestigious car show, Meguiar’s MotorEx Superstars event held annually in Melbourne.
“Only six cars from the Summernats Show were picked to go to Melbourne for Meguiar’s Superstars,” Peter says.
“We were totally surprised to hear the news. We’re still celebrating.”
Peter’s passion for cars stems from his childhood. His father was a mechanic and the two of them would often work on projects together.
Now more than forty years later, Peter restores cars with his own son, Jayme who is equally as enthralled by the car scene.
Aside from family support, Peter says the car scene also requires a strong network of industry support.
“There are months of prepping involved in every competition and success doesn’t come without support,” he says.
“I’d like to give thanks to Mark and Zac from Bassett Racing for always keeping my car mechanically sound, as well as Mike Autos for always sourcing parts and being incredibly helpful.”
Still on a high from this month’s success, the Bennetts will now begin preparations for the Meguiar’s Superstars event, which will take place from May 26.
