While the future of drag racing in Sydney has been stalled by the lack of racing opportunities at Eastern Creek Raceway, the future has not been abandoned as proposals for an alternative have been pursued.

The frustrations forced upon the drag racing community have spread far and wide, with one of those showing great concern being a senior New South Wales Labor Party official who cut his teeth on drag racing at the old Castlereagh strip. Made aware of what was happening to the sport in Sydney he set to work to find out for himself exactly what the situation was.

He arranged several meetings with senior officers of the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, which administers the lease on Eastern Creek, in his words, "To find out whether the conditions of the lease are being fulfilled, and if so, what are the alternatives." He invited DRAGSTER publisher David Cook and racer Jim Read to attend the meetings.

ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton and NSW Division Director Phil Woodman were kept fully appraised of the meetings both before and after each, and Woodman was asked to attend the second meeting as an ANDRA representative.

The result of the meetings was an assurance that the lease, which in its requirements is rather vague, was being fulfilled, and that under the lease, and regardless of misinformation being spread by some, there could be absolutely no NSW Government funding, either by loan or grant, for any development of any kind at the Eastern Creek property. This applies to the ARDC, and any other body, either non-profit or otherwise.

However, in answer to a question based on information from an ex-Eastern Creek employee, it was stated that the block of land to the southwest of Eastern Creek, immediately across the road from the existing facility, was not currently in use, and had been purchased by the previous government at the same time as the land currently used for the Eastern Creek venue, and had been zoned for use for motor racing. This land had not previously been offered to anyone else, contrary to claims, and is of a size and shape suitable for a full quarter mile drag strip.

It was pointed out by the public servants that access to the land was likely to be difficult, as its use for a motor racing venue, regardless of its zoning, was not favoured by the government, and the tendering process could tend to make any access unlikely. Alternative submissions for the use of the land included a waste depot, several theme park proposals and a major urban road project, which was most favoured.

The public servants did, however, voluntarily supply a map of the property with a hand drawn drag strip layout pencilled on it.

It was also stated, there was no other known available land within 50 km. of central suburban Sydney which would be appropriate for development as a motor racing track.

The prospect of attempting access to the land was being kept under wraps to avoid creating false hopes, but because of the degree of infighting within the racing community as a result of the frustrations, and in an attempt to put an end to the wild rumours and accusations against the individuals involved being spread by certain parties with personal agendas not perceived to be in the sport's best interests, Read tabled the map and the proposals at the July New South Wales Divisonal Council meeting, receiving universal approval.

Not withstanding these apparent difficulties, and in an attempt to provide a positive, forward looking approach, it was decided to turn a back on the negative image that Eastern Creek has become throughout the motorsport community and a meeting is currently being aranged between Read and Cook and at least two NSW Government ministers to discuss the possibilities.

It must be reiterated that access to the land is probably unlikely, at best, but even on these long range possibilities a number of assurances have been forthcoming from other entrepreneurs that represent the likelihood of many million dollars of revenue into the local community's finances. A preliminary survey of likely supportable income for the New South Wales economy as a result of such a fully fledged championship drag strip, which is not restricted in its use by other unrelated activities, not compromised by indifferent or hostile management, was in excess of $25 million.

Stay tuned.