After a period of uncertainty, engines are set to fire once again at Far North Queensland’s iconic Springmount Raceway, with the venue preparing to welcome racers and fans back to the black top.
The return marks an important milestone for the Mareeba facility after the venue announced in 2025 that it would close for the remainder of the season, with plans to lease the raceway in the future.
Stepping up to lease the facility in 2026 is Mick Apps and his wife Jane from Addictive Events, signing an exclusive agreement to take over the running of the track.
After a series of information nights, the direction for the venue has been decided.
The pair bring extensive experience in motorsport venue management and event promotion. Jane previously spent six years with Queensland Raceways, where she handled the company’s accounts as well as corporate events, bookings and various track activities. More recently she had been working as an accountant for an overseas company but has stepped away from that role so the couple can focus fully on reopening the track.
Mick also spent a decade with Queensland Raceways, serving as venue manager for both Queensland Raceway and Lakeside Park. During that time he led the rebuilding and reopening of Lakeside after a seven-year closure and later took on the role of events manager, overseeing a wide variety of motorsport activities including burnouts, drifting, roll racing and circuit racing. He also launched the popular Lakeside Drags more than a decade ago.
In 2016 the couple established Addictive Events while still working at Queensland Raceways. Their flagship Drag Challenge events have since grown significantly, with three events now held each year and entries selling out within minutes. Alongside those events, the team has been running multiple rounds of the Lakeside Drags and the Queensland No Prep Series.
Their involvement with Springmount Raceway came about unexpectedly. The original plan was to hire the venue for one of their Drag Challenge events, but they learned the track had been closed and faced an uncertain future. Determined to see the facility survive, the pair negotiated an exclusive lease with the venue’s owners.
Since taking on the project, Mick and Jane have begun working through a list of upgrades and improvements to prepare the venue for its return to racing. Initial work includes repairs to timing equipment and dial-in boards, improvements to pit lighting, and plans to refurbish the old mess hall into a more affordable café for spectators and racers. Free camping for drivers and crews will also be offered, with further upgrades such as improved shower facilities planned for the future.
The venue will operate under licensing from Racers, with competitors able to use existing International Hot Rod Association or Australian National Drag Racing Association credentials where applicable.
To help reduce operating costs and establish a sustainable foundation, racing will initially be run over the eighth-mile distance. The new operators say the shorter format will help reduce track clean-ups and vehicle wear while allowing more racing during events. Should the venue receive strong support, a return to quarter-mile racing remains a possibility in the future.
Planned activities include street meets, diesel nights, roll racing, test-and-tune sessions, drag-and-drive events and a track championship series.
For Mick and Jane, the decision to take on Springmount is a major commitment, involving significant personal and professional sacrifice. Their goal, however, is simple: ensure the Far North Queensland facility remains open and continues to provide a home for grassroots drag racing in the region.
Licensing Requirements:
All entrants must hold a minimum Clubman Licence to compete on track.
Racers Clubman Licence
$50 per event or $125 per year
Applicable for 1/8 mile racing in the following cases:
- Vehicles running 120mph or slower (typical street cars) with no roll cage or technical inspection required.
- Vehicles running 120mph or faster that already hold a current IHRA or ANDRA licence and technical inspection.
- Young Guns (Junior Dragster) competitors who hold a current licence and technical approval.
- 2003 or newer vehicles equipped with airbags and four-wheel disc brakes (TBC).
Racers National Licence
$75 per event or $295 per year
Required for:
- All motorcycles competing at the venue.
- Vehicles running 140mph or faster with a roll cage that do not hold current IHRA or ANDRA licensing or technical inspection.
- Vehicles running over 150mph in a modern car (2003 or newer) equipped with airbags and four-wheel disc brakes. Vehicles must be street registered and fitted with a parachute.
- Young Guns (Junior Dragster) competitors without current licensing or technical approval.
The current track website is being worked on, but some info will be on https://addictiveevents.com.au/
