Shoalhaven historian Alan Clark has shared Hope’s story ahead of the popular event. 

Hope Bartlett was born in Waverley in 1892. His need for speed was fueled when he started as a works rider on the then famous belt driven Zenith motorcycle.

He ran a daily motor service between Nowra and Moruya from 1924, and later went as far as Bega, Eden and Cooma. 

Rumour has it that his first car was a six-door Packard, formerly owned by Squizzy Taylor, and brought to the South Coast with bullet holes still in the side, after the Sydney gangster had been killed.

His first job was a trainee wool buyer, but that was soon abandoned in favour of something more exciting. 

While his business allowed him to drive, Bartlett was passionate about motor racing, and he is considered by some to have been well ahead of his time. 

His interests were varied – he was equally at home in a car, on a motorcycle, or in a boat. 

Coming from the North Coast, he took over the motor service previously operated by George Harrison. He lived on his Kinghorne Street premises at Nowra for around 30 years, and took an interest in various racing activities around the district. 

Hill climbing attracted his attention, and in 1924 driving a Vauxhall car, he set a record of 52.2 seconds up Conjola Hill. 

Encouraging local motorcyclists, Bartlett offered five pounds to any rider who could better his time. This was done by a Mr Sidebottom on an AJS bike. 

He was a regular at Maroubra Speedway in the days when crowds were in the vicinity of 70,000 and while he enjoyed plenty of success, there were also mishaps. 

During 1927 he escaped unharmed when his car burst into flames, and the following week he was involved in the race when famous driver Phil Garlick crashed to his death. 

In that final of a handicap event for high-speed cars he was travelling at 92 miles per hour, while on other occasions they reached 100. 

Twice during the 1930s he crossed the Tasman to win the (then coveted) New Zealand Cup, in a Vauxhall and a Bugatti. 

During his long career of more than 40 years, Bartlett also drove a Sunbeam, MG, the famous long-tail Dixon Riley, and finally a jaguar. 

As a member of the Royal Motor Yacht Club, he also won many speed boat titles.

He was a sporting legend around the Shoalhaven district, and according to Wandandian historian Val Windley, her father ranked Bartlett alongside Sir Donald Bradman as a sporting hero. 

Bartlett died in 1984 at the age of 92.