When Willowbank opened in September 1985, the Surfers Paradise track had already been open for 19 years. Yet within a year of operation, Willowbank had already started to draw more spectators and competitors than Surfers.

The difference lay in the people running the respective facilities. The management of Surfers had little interest in drag racing other than milking the sport to prop up the other activities at the facility. Indeed, most, if not all of the intellectual input came from sources outside of the Surfers management.

Street meets, the Tin Top Titles, Super and Street ET, Street Nationals, the dropping of class racing and much more came from sources other than the Surfers office. The Tin Top Titles, which served Surfers so well for many years, originated from a lunch hour session at Michael's Motors between Ron Richards, Kevin Levitt and myself.

The success or failure of a business or enterprise depends on the people inside that operation. In reality, Surfers had no chance against Willowbank, even in its early days, let alone as the drag racing juggernaut it is today. The reason for this is that we had all the ammunition. We had the best people on the board of the raceway, people with skills in a variety of areas, from journalism, sports administration, construction and business skills and a thorough knowledge of the sport. Implicit in this was that drag racing was their first love.

On the rare occasions that a position becomes available on the Willowbank board, we invite someone to join us who has skills that will augment the operations of the raceway. We have fortnightly Board Meetings and even after lengthy discussions that sometimes go to midnight, you come away with a sense of purpose, a feeling that we are weaving a drag racing tapestry that one can stand back from and with considerable pride say, ". . . hey, we did this!"

So, one might ask, if a handful of drag racing enthusiasts can create a facility like Willowbank, why then can't the same level of success be achieved in the administration of the sport? The simple answer is that the 1960's structure of ANDRA precludes this from happening. The recent AGM of ANDRA, held in Adelaide, was in my opinion the worst I've been to in the last 30 years.

A proposed restructure of the sport, already severely compromised from the ideal, in the hope of gaining support from Division Directors, was further watered down after a marathon five- to six-hour, two-day session. The limp-wristed compromise that was eventually arrived at is next to useless.

So, how would a no-holds-barred system work, one that would be the best for the sport, for the racers, spectators and tracks? The following is a rough outline.

First, there would be a Board of Directors, the make up of which would see representatives from capital city tracks running championship drag racing, and the balance would be appointed on the basis of their skills in varying areas - marketing, journalism, sports administration, business, whatever. In short, a gathering of minds, something that is sadly lacking at the moment. Sound familiar? That's the way that big business operates. And it's the way Willowbank works.

The current system is akin to lemmings rushing towards the precipice. On February 6, 1999 the Division Direcors, armed with orders from their puppet masters will vote down the already watered down proposal on the restructure of the sport. They will then begin a mindless rush to oblivion.

Sorry, but we won't be following. We have a new millenium to move into, for those who wish to come with us.