Thursday, November 26, 2009 - 02:27 pm, by: Ryan Posselt(Yakusaryan)
Hi All, I've written a letter aimed at the media and politicians about a topic particularly close to my hart. I'm hoping there may be some members on this site who are willing to distribute this to their local media and state and federal MP's
Thanks for reading - and feel free to comment
" To whom it may concern,
Re: Motorsport facilities in Sydney
I am writing to you regarding the closure of Oran Park Raceway and the controversial Homebush V8 Supercar event. My concern is the closure of Oran Park and V8 Supercars moving from Eastern creek to Homebush is risking the long term viability of motorsport in NSW.
Oran Park was Sydney’s best car and kart racing facility and hosted its last club level meet for both cars and karts on the weekend of the 14th November 2009. But in early 2010 it will be bulldozed to make way for a housing development leaving nowhere for its associated clubs to race.
One such club is Sydney Kart Racing Club (SKRC), Sydney’s oldest karting club. It’s operated by enthusiasts who encourage, teach and mentor young drivers. Through learning their race-craft, drivers develop aggression management skills despite a high adrenalin environment; to remain calm under pressure; to plan ahead; to respect other drivers and to be persistent in the eye of defeat.
Karting and grassroots motorsport provides a safe environment for motorsport enthusiasts to develop their skills and keep youth off the streets to race in a safe environment. This will assist in creating safer drivers and therefore safer roads in NSW, which is especially important reflecting on this year’s road toll.
The future of SKRC is in doubt with no club headquarters and no home racetrack. Currently the only motorsport facility available is an ageing Eastern Creek which has a poorly designed track and is run around a kart hire business. Unfortunately this results in inadequate racing facilities for young drivers to develop their skills. NSW and Australia should be entitled to have motorsport stars in future but with such a low level of facilities provided it is currently unlikely.
All of Australia’s motorsport stars came through the karting ranks. Some such as Mark Webber, Marcos Ambrose and Will Power have gone on to promote NSW and Australia on a global stage.
The decision for Premier Nathan Rees to approve a + $30 Million one off V8 Supercar race around the streets of Homebush has come at a massive cost to the grassroots of Sydney Motorsport. I urge you to do whatever you can to support the cause of the thousands of drivers who are quickly running out of options. Support the talent of the future because without them the Homebush event would not have any trained race drivers to contest the race.
Thursday, November 26, 2009 - 05:43 pm, by: Aaron Casey(Blownminiturbo)
yeah sucks they are closing that. i mean 30mil would go a fair way in making another facility somewhere instead of one race. only left with eastern creek, wakefield and a smaller marulan driver training centre.
Ben Lipman Goo Roo NSW Soarer TT manual, plus TT track car
Thursday, November 26, 2009 - 08:52 pm, by: Ben Lipman(Ben12a)
Nice thought Ryan, but NSW crowds, and especially Sydney fans, are renowned for their apathy. NSW is the most over regulated, under resourced state in Aust. Unless you present a business case to Dick-head Rees or the other fcuk-tard, nothing will get done.
Please excuse the language, but I'm done with this state.
Friday, November 27, 2009 - 12:25 pm, by: Luke Nieuwhof(Luke_nieuwhof)
Typical V8 Supercars. Push for a street race so you can suck in all the government funding and all the sponsorship that should be helping grass roots motorsport as well. They are constantly pushing for one in Perth but thankfully the government is resisting.
Friday, November 27, 2009 - 11:13 pm, by: Mike Bradberry(Halflife)
When I lived in Sydney, I was lucky enough to race at Amaroo Park (still going?), Oran Park, Warwick Farm and, not in Sydney but not too far away, Catalina near Katoomba. Strange there were so many circuits then and next to none now when there is a much stronger need as the popularity and population growth would suggest more rather than less places to hone ones circuit racing skills.