Full throttle on Barcy speedway

BARCALDINE may become a petrol head’s heaven as councillor Morgan Gronold initiates plans to host a number of drag racing events at the town’s aerodrome next year.

"We hope to brand Barcaldine the Central West’s home of motor sport," Cr Gronold announced.
"The plan is to offer drag racing events over 200 metres which will be open to anyone willing to race their car, ute, four-wheel drive or motorbike.


"It’s a great opportunity for car lovers to do some legal racing and have some fun with their vehicles in a safe environment."

The secondary runway at the Barcaldine airstrip is the proposed site for the racing and the first event is scheduled for May Day next year.

"The use of the airstrip has already been approved by the council and, while we’re still in the early days of planning, I’m confident we can make the event happen."

According to Cr Gronold, drag racing’s national body, the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA), has indicated their support.

"ANDRA will fully insure and sanction all of our events so we’ll be completely covered. Drag racing licenses will be offered to participants for the day which will cover them for all public liability.
"The Barcaldine Fire Brigade and Ambulance service will also be in attendance and we’ll have a couple of safety officers on the scene to ensure everything is carried out in a safe manner."

As well as drag racing the event hopes to draw spectators with motor sport celebrities, a ute and car show, burn-out and shine competitions and motoring equipment trade displays.

"If its popularity takes off it may generate quite a lot of economic prosperity for our town."

Cr Gronold said the idea was based on similar events held with great success in towns across Australia.

"A recent racing competition held on Charters Towers airstrip got hundreds of spectators and I imagine we could pull a good crowd from all over the Central West."

Cr Gronold said the benefit of drag racing was that it was a low cost motor sport for both the organisers and the participants.

"We will advertise that you ‘run what you bring’ which means that, as long as the brakes work, then anybody can race.
"It doesn’t matter what vehicle you drive, we want everyone to have fun racing their mates or simply watching the street cars in action."

Cr Gronold said the Barcaldine Motor Sports Association must raise around $20,000 for a concrete burn-out pad, timing lights and other infrastructure to get started.

"We need to ensure that no damage is done to the airstrip," he said.
"We’ll be canvassing the region for prospective sponsors in the coming weeks so hopefully we can raise enough."