While nothing formal has been forthcoming, both the Nitro Championships and October's Premier State Nationals have been unofficially written off by ANDRA as the Eastern Creek management continues to refuse to prepare the track onto the circuit, and frustration and anger within the NSW and Australian drag racing communities grow.

These events' futures came under question when the Eastern Creek lease holders, the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), suffered severe losses in late 1997.

The total liabilities for the ARDC between June 30 and December 31 last year increased from $2,060,255 to $3,655,287, an increase of $1,595,032.

The ARDC also has lease obligations with the NSW government to spend over $7 million on improvements at the track before the end of 2001, including drainage, club rooms, a karting facility (installed), speedway, recreation area and motorsports industries area.

It is believed that in recent meetings between ARDC General Manager Chris Hones and NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Harrison, attempts were made to have this part of the contract varied.

"I guess if we were prepared to convert the racing distance back to 590 ft, or whatever the distance is from the start line to turn one on the circuit, then that would be okay," said ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton, "but since there's no way we could be expected to approve something like that then it is the ARDC's choice to not run championship drag racing. On the basis of letters received from the ARDC I am not hopeful of seeing championship drag racing at Eastern Creek under the ARDC for at least 12 to 18 months.

"I think if the ARDC was as genuinely concerned for the future of drag racing at Eastern Creek as they tell us, they'd be wise to work harder to keep ANDRA on side. They are busily telling the circuit racing community how they are trying to get touring car racing back but have given nothing quite that positive to drag racing about this sport's future at the facility."

Hones took over the position of General Manager on Monday, February 16, and previous GM Ivan Stibbard was the following day given 14 days notice.

A group representing drag racing and other interests, including Top Fuel racer Jim Read, Top Fuel team owner Santo Rapisarda, ex-ARDC board Deputy President Brian Gelding and recently removed GM Ivan Stibbard, met with the Minister for Sport on Wednesday, February 25.

It appears that while the minister and her advisers were interested to hear what was said they were non-commital, though indicating that the situation at Eastern Creek had been discussed widely at cabinet level. When asked if it was not possible for drag racing to have a separate facility in conjunction with Eastern Creek, such as the go-karts do, she said that was "not out of the question" but would not be drawn on the matter, other than to add that whatever took place at Eastern Creek the government was committed to retaining it as a motor racing venue. She added that in the event that the ARDC was unable to continue as the lessee then the track's lease would be put back out to tender.

The matter was the subject of discussion on Sydney ABC radio station 2BL, where the government's concern was expressed by NSW Premier, Bob Carr. The program's producer confirmed to DRAGSTER that the Minister for Sport was to be interviewed the following morning but she failed to appear. A program spokesman said a "deal" had been reached between the government and the ARDC, a part of which was an agreement that neither party talk to the media. Subsequently ANDRA's Tony Thornton was interviewed on the program.

Hones phoned in after the second day of the story running, expressing concern over the negative views being conveyed, emphasizing that people should look at the positives, stating that the previous night the track had run the "biggest street meet" ever staged at Eastern Creek.

This event, on Wednesday, March 11, had a sellout 230 entries with a crowd variously estimated as between 3000 and 6000. Even at the lower figure the ARDC could be expected to have made in excess of $30,000 from the event. This follows a similarly successful street meet several weeks earlier, and came on the night of the announcement of a third street meet in April. At the moment it would appear that drag racing is keeping the track going.

The issue also received coverage on Sydney's Channel 10 evening news, after critical statements were issued by the opposition spokesman for Sport and Recreation, Brad Hazard.