Drag racing in north-western Victoria could get a boost depending on the results of a business plan from Swan Hill Rural City Council.
Last week a community forum was held where Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) events and operations manager Brenton Myers and current Top Fuel national champion Darren Morgan joined Lucas Woodburn from the Swan Hill Drag Racing Club to discuss how a drag strip in the area would help the cause of driver education, as part of the TAC Talk the Toll Down initiative.
Mr Myers said an ANDRA-sanctioned drag racing venue would provide a place for people to use their cars in a safe and fun environment as well as delivering economic benefits to the town through visiting racers and motorsport-based industry.
“We’ve seen ANDRA drag racing venues around the country being utilised very highly by motorsport enthusiasts and having a positive effect on the driving attitude of young drivers in particular,” he said. “There is a safe place to race your car and that is on the track under the supervision of trained scrutineers and safety teams.”
Mr Woodburn said the venue was a priority for the local council with final costings being worked out. He expected there to be good demand for the venue from racers.
“With Swan Hill being centrally located between Melbourne and Adelaide and all the towns in between its fair to say we could get a big turn out to a national event,” he said. “We are not only wanting to run major drag racing events but also hope that our new and upgraded facilities will provide an important area for driver training for our youth.
“I hope (the community forum) is a start to a beneficial relationship between the TAC, ANDRA , SHDRC and all other drag racing groups and facilities.”
People interested in supporting the venue can soon become members of the SHDRC through a new website or join their Facebook group to keep up to date with all the latest developments.
Letters of support from ANDRA members, race teams or racing groups can also be sent to the SHDRC (lucaswoodburn@hotmail.com) or direct to the Swan Hill Rural City Council (council@swanhill.vic.gov.au).