Slip sliding

Dewhurst resident Nick Wright is a selfconfessed ‘jack of all trades’. The 55yearold said variety is the key to life, and the passionate rally car driver has certainly lived life in the fast lane.
From a TAFE teacher to desktop publisher, from a rally driver to a restaurateur, Nick can certainly attest to a life full of diversity.
But despite his potpourri of talents, Nick’s passion lies in rally driving, after sliding sideways to victory for 38 years on rally courses across the globe.
Born in England, Nick’s first rally experience came in 1967, only days after obtaining his driver’s licence.
“There was a rally organised for the weekend, and because I was the only one from my group of friends with a licence, I somehow got dobbed in to drive.
“I was left standing there asking ‘what’s a rally?’”, Nick said.
After somehow surviving the event, Nick said that first rally ignited his passion for the sport, a flame that has continued to burn for 38 years.
“I spent the next seven years toying with the idea of seriously pursuing the sport and I became quite good at it,” he said.
Swapping seats in the vehicle, Nick decided to concentrate on navigating, the art of directing the driver through the numerous stages of a rally event.
After moving to Australia in 1974, Nick was an established rally driver and began participating in the Victorian Rally Championship, the top level of rally driving in Victoria.
“I started at the top somehow, rather than working my way up,” Nick laughed.
Nick joined Pakenham Auto Club in 1984 after moving to Dewhurst and his dedication to the club was recently recognised with a life membership.
“I’m one of only four life members, it is a big honour,” Nick said.
Nick is a former president, secretary, treasurer, editor and steward of the club that has recently had its training land taken away.
“We lost our land thanks to the development of the new bypass.
“It is a very important part of the club and we are looking for a replacement to allow our 300 members to have somewhere to drive,” Nick said.
Nick’s driving career has taken him to every corner of Victoria, and it is that part of the sport he treasures most.
“It’s a delight travelling around and getting to see everything.
“After being in Victoria for just 12 months, I had seen almost all of it,” Nick said.
A walk through Nick’s trophy room is tribute to his successes in the sport, with trophies dating back to years even Nick struggles to remember, lining every wall in the room.
“My first major win in 1982 was special, but there are so many great memories,” he said.
Nick’s devoted partner Glad Fish suggested they should spend some time cleaning the hoard of silverware.
Nick rolls his eyes and notes that the job would probably take the better part of a week.
The two met in 1974 and Nick invited Glad to a rally event, and she has also been hooked on the sport ever since.
“I love it. After a taste of it, I thought this is something I want to do,” Glad said.
Since then, the pair has raced together on countless occasions, with Glad happy to do most of the driving.
“Nick is a terrible driver.
“No, only joking,” Glad laughed.
Nick offered no argument, saying it was always a hairraising trip with Glad behind the wheel.
“In the car, the driver and the navigator are both of equal importance. Without one, you haven’t got the other,” he said.
“But funnily enough, I became a very good panel beater during the events that Glad drove.”
Nick has a collection of more than 5000 maps, covering every expanse of Victoria, and has studied the details of each map in the lead up to an event.
Nick said the sport reached its pinnacle in the mid70s, and with faster cars and more traffic on the road, sealing off public roads for rally events was becoming increasingly difficult.
“There is a lot more politics surrounding the sport now, but the bottom line is, cars go faster these days,” he said.
Nick also said the money and dedication to the sport was on the rise.
“When I began, I used to drive my competition car to work, now every car needs roll cages and serious safety equipment.
“Back in those days we never wore seatbelts, so a lot has changed,” Nick laughed.
From the track to the dining room, Nick’s latest passion is the Grayn Restaurant, situated at 5153 Princes Highway, Pakenham.
Running a restaurant is something Nick never thought he would end up doing, but has discovered how satisfying the hospitality industry can be.
“My daughter, Glenda, married a chef.
“So she has always pushed for me to open one,” Nick explained.
Nick said the Grayn Restaurant offers international fine dining to the residents of Pakenham.
“It’s something new to the area, but people are starting to take a real liking to it,” he said.
With menu favourites such as coconut prawns and the Atlantic salmon, Nick said his love of fine dining influenced the original cuisine.
“We have always loved great food, and decided to share it with the people of Pakenham.
“At the moment, our wine nights are growing in popularity every month,” Nick said.
The move from the car to the kitchen has been an interesting one for Nick, who is first to arrive and last to leave from the Grayn.
“I am the barman, a waiter and repairman if necessary.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying it,” he said.
Nick remains an active member of the Pakenham Auto Club and continues driving historic rally cars throughout the year.
“It’s my passion in life.
“And that’s something you should never give up,” he said.