The ute is used to appeal to youth at racing and motorsport events and to educate them about the right times and places to have fun in a safe environment.

Simon Borg was behind the wheel of the Beat the Heat vehicle in Ararat in an off-duty capacity.

Mr Borg is stationed at the Highway Patrol unit in Greensborough and is the vice president of Beat the Heat in Victoria.

Mr Borg said it is an important way of engaging the interest of youth around the state in a fun and exciting way..

“The Beat the Heat program’s main objective is to break down the barriers with youth, especially when they have been in a bit of trouble,” he said.

“The program is really to show the youth that we are the same as them, we are car enthusiasts as well and in an environment like this, we can all be on the same page.”

A big part of the program’s message focuses on safety and ensuring you push a car’s limits in a place where you are not likely to cause any safety risks and away from main roads that are used.

“It is about teaching them that there are opportunities to test your cars out and to do this sort of thing but in a controlled and safe environment and not on the road,” Mr Borg said.

The program started 13 years ago and is based off a similar program that was being run in the 1980s by Victoria Police.

Mr Borg has been part of the program since its inception after Ford and Holden provided cars to alter to compete at these sorts of events.

The club’s vice president said coming to Ararat for the hill climb event was a milestone in the program’s history.

“This is the first time we have done an event outside of controlled drag racing events,” he said.

“So It was quite a big step for the program, stepping away from the typical drag racing which is part of our long term strategy.

“It is about capturing a wider audience and engaging a bigger group of youth, where we get involved with other community programs as well.

“Realistically the actual car part is a small part of the program as a whole but it is a good way to grab their interest.”

Mr Borg said the success of the visit to Ararat at the weekend will ensure the program returns to the region in the future.

“The reception in Ararat has been fantastic, the whole community got together and the support has been overwhelming,” Mr Borg said. “We will definitely be back, this sort of community engagement is what we are after with the program.”