Sydney Dragway has released statement cancelling the running of the 52nd Australian Nationals which was to be held next weekend.
The statement reads as follows:
“Sydney Dragway is saddened to announce that the venue is no longer able to host the Australian Nationals on February 11 and 12.The recent changes in sanctioning means the event cannot be run in the way it was intended by the organisers.
“Sydney Dragway has explained the very difficult position we’re in to the promoters, and they’ve kindly agreed to release us from the contract and allow us to get our feet back on the ground.
“This is a very disappointing outcome for the more than 150 racers who wanted to come and race, and also hard for the Dragway team, and the promoters of the Nationals and Top Fuel – all of whom have put in a lot of work to stage another fantastic event to follow the success of the Top Fuel Championship in January.
“The promoters will make their own announcements as to their plans, but they will be refunding all entrants and ticket holders immediately.”
Top Fuel Australia released their own statement via their Facebook page. It reads:
“We’re disappointed to share the news that Sydney Dragway has had to withdraw from hosting the Australian Nationals and Round 02 of the Burson Top Fuel Championship.
“We’re gutted. Gutted for our team who put so much hard work into this event. Gutted for our mates at the Australian Nationals. Gutted for the racers and fans who’re going to miss out on top quality racing for reasons completely beyond our control.
“Full refunds are being processed now including booking fees.
“The Australian Nationals are a marquee event of the ANDRA Australian Drag Racing Championship, and racers were coming from all over Australia to compete for Championship points. Sydney’s change to IHRA only three days out from our event put us and the Nationals in an impossible position. IHRA were asked to allow Sydney Dragway to stage the event as agreed, but they chose not to do so.
“Top Fuel Australia will move forward with plans to bring Top Fuel back to more people at more tracks. Our next event and rescheduled calendar will be announced in the coming days, and we will be racing at the Australian Nationals as soon as that date is announced.
“That’s enough negative stuff! Let’s get on with racing. Support your local track no matter where that is.”
Later on in the day ANDRA also issued their own press release titled ‘ANDRA Acknowledges Australian Nationals Cancellation’
It reads:
“ANDRA formally acknowledges the statement released this afternoon by Sydney Dragway communicating the venue’s decision to cancel the Australian Nationals.
“ANDRA is deeply disappointed that WSID Ltd has made the decision to cancel this event, following the exceptionally hard work put in by the event co-promoters – the Australian Top Fuel Championship and Peter Pisalidis – and ANDRA as we all worked together to ensure this event went ahead.
“ANDRA was prepared to enthusiastically honour the agreement ANDRA held with the event co-promoters to sanction the Australian Nationals, which was to host not only the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, but also rounds of ANDRA’s Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series and Australian Drag Racing Championship.
“To this end, ANDRA had issued – at Sydney Dragway’s request on Saturday 29 January 2022 – the required event permit for this event to proceed.
“We are saddened that consultation between Sydney Dragway and the event co-promoters to see this event proceed as per the event contract originally signed between these two parties – which included the use of ANDRA as the promoters’ preferred sanctioning body but to which ANDRA was not a party – was ultimately unsuccessful, leading to today’s decision.
“ANDRA understands that the event promoters will be issuing refunds to all entrants and ticket holders.
– Drag News Magazine
