The reopening of Sydney’s Eastern Creek Speedway this season is one step closer.
Speaking to SPEED SPORT, the New South Wales Planning Minister, Paul Scully, revealed that the track “has been cleared of any defects.”
These defects, including water drainage issues, had resulted in the ending of the lease to the previous operators.
Scully also said that “negotiations continue with a potential operator” of the venue.
These negotiations are undertaken at arms distance from the Minister for probity reasons.
The reopening of the one-year-old $U.S. 60 million venue will be good news for local competitors and team owners hoping to bring visiting U.S. drivers to Australia for the summer season.
• The Australian Sprint Car season got underway on the first weekend of November.
At Premier Speedway, Warrnambool, the current Australian Sprintcar champion, Jack Goodyer, claimed the opening feature from Jamie Veal and Daniel Pestka.
Goodyear rounded up the polesitter Veal with six laps remaining. Jordan Brazier was fourth and Marcus Dumesny fifth.
“It was quite a demanding track out there tonight. It’s cool to bring the car home in one piece,” Goodyer said. “That was a brand-new car and it’s good to have the speed in the car straight away.”
More than half the 20-car field, including Super Cars Mustang driver, Cam Waters, failed to finish the race-of-attrition. Reigning Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic winner Brock Hallett was another driver to exit the race following a crash and mechanical problems.
Returning from the U.S., Lachie McHugh won the Pro Sprints feature from Jordan Rae. The Queensland driver was dominant in the class. Jamie Veal was third, ahead of Dennis Jones and Steven Loader.
• On the West Coast, James Inglis was dominant in the City of Kwinana Westernapolis at the Perth Motorplex.
Driving the Diamond Bay Motorsports entry, Inglis defeated Krikke Motorsports pilot Dayne Kingshott and Warren Mitche