The Central Australian Drag Racing Association are set to receive a $1.1 million war chest handed down in the 2015 Budget to improve Alice Springs Inland Dragway to international standards.
This is in addition to the $300,000 in funding from the Northern Territory Government received in 2014 to assist major capital works including extended safety walls to the full quarter mile and the installation of LED lighting from the staging lanes to the braking area making ASID the first drag strip in Australia to install LED’s.
The new lights have been tested at the last two events with the unveiling set for May 17th when NT Chief Minister Adam Giles MLA will officially light up ASID for the first time.
As highlighted in the first CADRA newsletter, the new round of funding will see improvements such as resurfacing of the staging areas, construction of a scrutineering shed and more shaded spectator structures.
“Basically we can hold meetings under lights in the warmer months to stop spectators being baked in the sun,” said CADRA President Mark Probst.
“Also the burnout competition looks great at night under lights. We are sending our Chief Minister Adam Giles down the track in a Super Sedan as a passenger after he officially turns the lights on. That should be an eye opener for him and a bit of fun.”
It’s an exciting time at ASID as entries for the 2015 Desert Nationals are now being received and preparation by the sub-committee is well underway. To enter please visit: http://cadra.com.au/page/desert-nationals. The 50% travel bonus will be in play for points scored at the Alice Springs Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series round, where at least one additional Summit Sportsman Round is contested in the same season.
Following the Desert Nationals will be the all-new and exciting inaugural Red Centre NATS. In readiness for this, extensions to the Hardass Burnout Pad have commenced and will be completed in August. The pad will eventually be extended into part of the spectator mound with new fencing which will be collapsible for normal race meetings.
The Red Centre NATS will consist of events such as flag grabbing races, grass racing, cruising, a show ‘n’ shine, burnout competitions and drag racing. As there will be quite a few events hosted by CADRA, the association is on the look out for volunteers to assist with merchandise, food and drink stalls and the bar.
CADRA also need to fill official positions such as burnout marshalls, judges, safety crews, recovery crews and scrutineers as well as drag racing officials and marshalls. If anyone is interested in being a volunteer in any of the abovementioned areas, please contact the CADRA Event Co-Ordinator Russell Naismith, on 0411 810 081 as soon as possible to complete a registration form.
Working Bees will also be held every Sunday from 8.00am until further notice so if you want to get involved head down to ASID to be a part of a growing drag racing scene in the outback.