The Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) wishes to announce the ANDRA Championship Drag Racing event at Calder Park in Victoria featuring Top Fuel, Top Fuel Motorcycle, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle and the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series on February 7-8, 2015 will not go ahead as planned.
As works are set to begin shortly and carry through the New Year, it was determined it would be unrealistic to run the event as scheduled.
Calder Park promoter Peter Pisalidis acknowledged it was unfortunate however it was not all bad news as the upgrades are set to catapult the venue back on it’s way to once again becoming a premier drag racing facility.
“With the clock ticking and our first event only four working weeks into the New Year, we just won’t have the time to prepare a newly laid surface even if construction commences immediately after the holiday break,” he said.
“It is unfortunate we are in this position – however we aren’t far away from getting a world class track and ask for everyone’s understanding as we are better off making this call now rather than the week prior to the event in anticipation of trying making it.”
ANDRA CEO Malcolm Bulley expressed his disappointment that this call has to be made, but remains determined that ANDRA Championship Drag Racing is coming back to Calder Park at the highest level very soon.
“It is with much regret that the ANDRA round on the 7-8th February has been cancelled,” he said. “With time and availability before Christmas closing in on us, the only viable option is to cancel this event to ensure the track is in A1 condition at the time the first ANDRA round is to be staged at the upgraded venue.
“The feedback and support by local racers and clubs has been tremendous and this small set back will not stop the project or our desire to have ANDRA Championship racing back in full flight in Melbourne.”
“Calder Park, ANDRA and Peter have all worked damn hard to get to where we are now and must remain positively focused that we are only into year two of the rebuilding of Championship Drag Racing back in Melbourne.”
Some of the cosmetic changes fans can look forward to besides a world class track surface will centre around the start line shifting further along. This will allow more flexibility directly behind the start line for turning longer vehicles and allowing easier preparation for each subsequent pairing of vehicles.
“This is certainly a case of short-term pain for long term gain,” added Pisalidis. “We know the Melbourne public have been starved of high level drag racing and once these upgrades are completed those same fans will be rewarded for their patience.”
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