A veteran race car driver has announced he will be racing his last laps this year.
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By the end of 2019, he plans to have placed in the top three, at least.
But circuit racing competition on the Hidden Valley Raceway track is fierce.
Especially when competing against cars from down south with $90,000 engines.
NAMSC circuit racer, Carl Wienands has come a long way from driving along dirt roads in Victoria at just 10 years of age.
A mainstay on the Hidden Valley supercar track for the past decade, he says the NT racing world is seeing an influx of cashed-up competitors willing to spend what it takes to win.
"It is getting beyond what you can do in Katherine under your house," Mr Wienands said.
"The chances of beating the big cars from down south become slimmer each year."
He says his "obsession" with professional racing has run its course.
The long drive to Darwin is taking its toll on the family and his three young children are missing out on exploring their own sporting interests.
With the improvements he has made to his car this year he has high hopes of gaining that place in the top three.
"I've got 380 horsepower at the flywheel, so I have a good chance this year," Mr Wienands said.
"If I can get back into round two after missing round one due to a compression failure, I can place.
"My car may not be as fast, but by pushing them into corners, I can get past. All they have to do is make one mistake and if I am there I can beat them.
"I've beaten with a slower car."
His car was bought in Darwin originally and built from the ground up.
"From the early days I started with standard Toyota stuff," Mr Wienands said.
"I've got Mazda calipers on Reno routers with Celica hubs.
"The engine block is from a 1998-2000 Toyota Corolla, the head is off an 88 sprinter.
"I like building and going fast.
"It is like meditation. I have an active mind and when you are on the track there is no time to think about anything else. Every decision has to be made in a second.
"It is quite relaxing for me."
Carl Wienands will be competing next in May in round two of the point score, in Darwin.
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