Australian Championship Drag Racing Puts Fans First

[SpoolMan]

In a show of solidarity between Australian drag racing's governing body ANDRA and the three major venues, a review of the championship calendar for the 2006/2007 season has been completed.

The big winners will be the sports growing fan base, once the new schedule, which moves both opening events of the season into September, is considered by other industry stakeholders.

On the east coast, promoters of Western Sydney International Dragway (WSID) and Queensland's Willowbank Raceway have met with wide ranging obstacles beyond their control that have impacted on the AC Delco East Coast Nationals and the Australian Nationals.

Traditionally held in mid-September and the first weekend in November, these two major, three-day events could be held two weeks apart, starting with the AC Delco East Coast Nationals on August 31 to September 2nd, before the 41st anniversary of the Australian Nationals on September 15-17.

"Good weather is a key factor in the event experience for racers and fans alike and the scheduling of our major events has become a complex process," said ANDRA Chief Executive Officer Tony Thornton.

"ANDRA supported a move to September when WSID opened and bringing the Nationals back into spring is the appropriate strategy looking at the longer term national picture."

Although such changes would reduce the official off-season by five weeks they would open the door for the anticipated growth of the sport in the southern states in the October/November period.

Thornton agreed with the managements of WSID, Willowbank Raceway and the Kwinana Motorplex that the interests of race teams and race fans must be of the highest priorities, particularly at a time when the sport is enjoying steady growth in participation across the board.

"We have had challenges with the timing of the East Coast Nationals in the past in terms of Football commitments around the country at that time," said WSID CEO Jim Read.

"These changes will assist WSID and more importantly provide a bigger opportunity for racers to attend two huge events at the start of the Championship in quick succession.

"What has been especially pleasing is that the major venue promoters around the country are working together as a team to produce a professional Drag Racing product moving forward.

"This is a step in the right direction for the sport and will certainly service the competitors and spectators in a more comfortable time frame.

"After looking at the climate averages, we believe the weather should be more suitable for both events too."

From a Willowbank Raceway perspective the ongoing support it receives from State Government through the Queensland Events Corporation further confirms its position to have one of its signature events timetabled at a more suitable time of the year.

Since the Australian Nationals moved to the November timeslot the event has been hampered by inclement weather.

There's little doubt that a progressive approach is required to meet the needs of all parties at such a prestigious drag racing showpiece and mid-September offers perfect conditions for the event both on and off the track.

"It is acknowledged by Willowbank Raceway that there was great disappointment when the final day of the 40th Australian Nationals was lost to weather again this year and we are totally determined to make sure that it does not happen in the future," said Bettes.

"We've been working closely with WSID, Kwinana and ANDRA to assess where we could move the Australian Nationals and it is not an easy task.

"However in what has to be said is a great step forward in the co-operation of the major venues and ANDRA there are steps being formulated for a new and exciting plan for the start of the Australian Drag Racing season.

"The move could certainly provide Interstate racers from WA, SA and Victoria the ability to scoop two major events into one trip to the North."

Further discussions are set to take place over coming weeks to gauge the general feedback from racers and interested parties.

In the meantime, both WSID and Willowbank Raceway are shaping up to a huge party atmosphere during the Christmas/New Year period as each hosts American NHRA heavyweights, Team Kalitta during respective International Top Fuel extravaganzas.

Sydney will have Scott Kalitta and Dave Grubnic headline their Nitro Thunder program on Boxing Day, before Grubnic backs up to take on Australia's best on January 6/7 at Willowbank, near his hometown of Brisbane.

thanks to NMD for the story