Though the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) has yet to sign the actual lease for Sydney's Eastern Creek motor racing complex, it is already planning major rebuilding of the drag racing sector of the venue, in what it has labelled "ambitious plans to expand drag racing activities at the circuit."

The announcement of the ARDC's initial plans came at a New South Wales Divisional Council meeting, two days after the running of the '96 Grand Finale, at which many members of the ARDC board were in attendance.

Two members of the board interviewed by DRAGSTER stated they were very impressed by the event. "Plainly drag racing has a bigger drawing power than road racing," said board member and touring car racer Mal Rose.

ARDC Vice President Brian Gelding told DRAGSTER that plans were being formed to shift the drag strip to the left (north) of the existing main straight/drag strip, when seen from the drag strip start line. This would involve the removal of the concrete wall at the front of the spectator areas, as well as a considerable amount of soil. A new wall would be built level with the front of the existing grandstand.

Such a move would also result in the removal of the much hated "debris fence" in front of the spectator area, which greatly limits the viewing of the track. As a part of such a redevelopment the main straight of the circuit would be shifted to the right, partly through the narrowing of the circuit racing pit lane area in front of the garages and the pit media/VIP building.

The result would be to establish a segregated drag strip, separated by a wall from the main straight of the circuit, increasing the opportunities for use of both facilities, and bypassing the need to remove the traction compounds and rubber from the main straight after drag racing events, and to build and rebuild the safety barriers along the drag strip whenever it was to be used. It would also allow for the installation of permanent lighting of the drag strip.

The possibility of the move had already been discussed with senior ANDRA personnel, who had given their approval subject to limitations on the use of the front portions of the grandstand.

No comment was made, however, on these restrictions of the grandstand's use in the event of the movement of the drag strip closer to it. Those who have experienced the grandstand when crowded generally agree that it is already too close to the existing drag strip, so that attempts to see the start line are very limited from the far side of the structure.

The ARDC had already discussed the possible developments with engineers who were looking at proposed developments to the adjacent Reen Property, which will also come under the ARDC's control when the lease on the property is signed.

"The proposal has yet to go before our board of directors," explained Gelding, "but I don't see that as being too much of a problem. I would think we would support this with every dollar we have, and then some, if necessary. Drag racing is obviously very popular, and so we wouldn't want to detract from it, and would in fact like to see it prosper. At the same time we don't like to see it interfering with what we see as our core product, which is road racing. This would, within the limitations of the property, give us the best of both worlds."

The ARDC's board members have shown considerable interest in drag racing since it became public knowledge that they were the preferred lessees of the facility. Two members of the board attended the November NSW Divisional Council meeting and made themselves available for an open question and answer session on their thoughts and plans for the site.

These and other board members have also been active in the drag racing community, asking anyone who would talk to them what they thought, what they wanted and how the sport operated.

"We want to dispel any ideas that we are in any way hostile to drag racing, and though we admit we know little of the formal structure of the sport, we are willing to learn and keen to see it flourish at Eastern Creek," said Rose.

Gelding explained that he had heard of the success made by the non-profit management of Willowbank Raceway near Brisbane, and he was planning on attending the next big meeting there to see how the sport is run and the track operated there. The ARDC is also a non-profit body, and plans to operate Eastern Creek in such a manner.

A press release issued at the NSW DC meeting, states: "ARDC president Mr. Colin Bond said the ARDC was keen to work closely with ANDRA . . . and drag racing associations to establish Eastern Creek as Australia's premier drag racing circuit (sic).

"The ARDC will continue to strongly support drag racing at Eastern Creek," Mr. Bond said. "Our aim is to expand the number of drag racing events at the circuit, including street drags. We will encourage more national and international drag racing events in the best interests of the sport and spectators."

"Drag racing has become an integral part of racing activities at Eastern Creek. The ARDC recognizes the popularity of the sport and is keen to ensure the future viability of drag racing at Eastern Creek."

Gelding explained that while there were still some sticking points in the negotiations with the NSW Government, it was expected that the ARDC would come into control of the property at the end of November.