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    HOME BASE: Sam Martin and Dec McKearney produce their television show Resto My Ride out of their Ararat business. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Resto My Ride from Ararat to the world

Ararat is set to feature on screens around the world following the launch of season two of Australian television program Resto My Ride last week.

Resto My Ride features creators Dec McKearney and Sam Martin restoring vintage and rare vehicles, and is now shown in 40 countries worldwide.

The pair moved to Ararat about two years ago and the second season of their show will include footage from the region.



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Ms Martin said Ararat had become a perfect base.

“We decided it was time to move from Williamstown and get a bit of country life – a bit more space,” she said.

“We just fell in love with the area. We love the Grampians and we love the area, so we moved up here two years ago. It was probably the best thing we ever did.

“We’ve been really welcomed. The council here has been fantastic to deal with, all the local businesses – everyone is so welcoming.”

Ms Martin encouraged people from the region to tune in.

“The last two episodes were shot in our workshop in Ararat, so you see a bit of western Victoria throughout the footage, which is great,” she said.

“If you’re a car enthusiast you’ll see some great transformations, and there’s a really great lifestyle aspect to it as well.”

Mr McKearney said the pair had ambitions to grow Resto My Ride even further internationally.

“To pretty much everyone we told ‘this is our idea and this is what we want to do’, they all said we couldn’t do it,” he said.

“So we were just even more determined to do it and be the first Australian car-restoration TV show that actually goes worldwide.

“We want to air in 50 countries. When we get to 50 we’ll be happy.”

The eight-episode season launched last week on free-to-air channel 9Rush and will screen each Wednesday at 7.30pm.

People can also stream the show for free through 9Now.

The entire July 15, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!