Last Friday, Blacktown City Mayor, Councillor Charlie Lowles and Blacktown City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President John Allen, were briefed on an exciting new proposal to bring ANDRA Championship Drag Racing back to Sydney on a dedicated drag strip to be built adjacent to Eastern Creek Raceway.
The plans, to construct a dedicated drag racing facility, would allow it to operate on a weekly basis, giving a much needed venue for the professional categories as well as the thousands of young off-street racers in Sydney. The decline of events and the sport has resulted in business closures, loss of jobs and a sell-off of valuable racing equipment.
The proposal has been submitted by RPS Promotions, a non-profit organization established in 1991 for the purpose of developing the sport of championship drag racing. Seventeen time Australian Top Fuel Champion Jim Read of RPS Promotions has a long personal involvement in the sport. "Sydney does not have a dedicated drag racing facility", he said, "and we have a viable option to re-establish drag racing here for the long term. It will not only benefit the sport itself, but have a major economic impact on supporting industries and tourism throughout western Sydney."
With the prospect of weekly street performance meets, and national and international events at such a facility, estimates of the venue's economic value with associated activities are conservatively put at $35 million.
RPS Promotions David Cook, publisher of DRAGSTER Australia magazine, has researched drag racing activities in other states and supports the argument that the sport currently has little opportunity in New South Wales to maximize it's potential. "Figures from around Australia show that drag racing is the largest spectator motorsport. The investment in race vehicles in NSW is valued at $23 million. Drag racing requires in the order of 60 to 70 events annually incorporating off-street performance meets, national and international events, hot rod and car shows, for it to progress and realize it's full potential. There is no facility in Sydney that can adequately met those needs " Mr. Cook said.
In support of the expected economic and employment opportunities this facility would bring to the local and regional economies, Blacktown Chamber of Commerce and Industry President John Allen said that any initiative to bring national and international sporting events to western Sydney must be supported. "Motor sports, as with any national pastime, has the potential of being a major generator of much needed additional income for the region and with this comes jobs. Blacktown is uniquely placed to become the home of this national sport as we have readily available land; a skilled work force to meet its needs and a large enthusiastic population that I am sure will become instant fans of this exhilirating sport" Mr Allen concluded.
The success of the project is dependent on the endorsement of industry, local business and government, and with recently received endorsement by the Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board and several NSW Government Ministers, this project looks set to inject many millions of dollars worth of economic benefit directly into the Blacktown area of western Sydney.
Mr. Tony Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of the sport's governing body, the Australian National Drag Racing Association Inc. (ANDRA), believes a dedicated facility in western Sydney is vital to the continued success and further growth of drag racing, both locally and nationally. "ANDRA represents a large number of competitors and members in NSW and we're also concerned for the valuable support industry that's emerged there through the nineties" he commented. "The benefits from these areas and the contribution of major events are considerable for the area and and we appreciate the endorsement and support from the Blacktown community."
RPS Promotions: (02) 9637-4539 / (0418) 268-243
David Cook: (02) 9894-7499 / (018) 417-784
John Allen: (0413) 313-179
Tony Thornton: (08) 8271-5355
