VW Sydney Drags 2015 - Cancelled

Hi All,

I trust everyone had a good Christmas and New Year, and welcome to the 10th year of the VWMA Drag Racing Series. Quite a journey, hey?

The series kicks off on Saturday February 21st at the Sydney International Dragway. Registrations are now open, and if Henry Spicak's registration speed is anything to go by, he may be the man to beat this year. Henry has the title of #1 registration for 2015.

The programme this year returns to a full day and evening of entertainment, and all the activities are listed on the website programme page ( www.vwma.net.au ). Things to note:

1. The Friday night Pizza cruise has been changed in favour of having Dino's mobile Pizza vans at the track on Saturday evening after the racing. There will also be a band to play through until late.

2. After the fun of the VW engine pull at Warwick last year, Sydney will have the VW Bug Push. I already have two teams (the winners of the engine pull and one team from the Flat 4 club). I would like to have at least six! The heats will be run at lunch and the final before the Twilight Cruise.

3. On the Sunday, Sydney will be running their popular Offstreet Drag meet. I have been asked to extend an invitation to any VW drivers staying overnight at the track to enter and be a part of the racing. Normally reserved for street registered cars, Sydney management will allow ANDRA and non-registered VWs who were a part of the VWMA day to also run if they wish.

4. Check out the great HILTI Power Tools Australia giveaway.

These regular email updates will also be posted on the VWMA facebook page (www.facebook.com/vwmagazine) and various forums. The VWMA twit account will also be activated again 🙂

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig Hughes
Editor / Part Time Drag Racer
VWMA

ps Inevitably there will be a keen VW racer who claims he never heard about the event, so please feel free to send or post this information where more can be reached.

VWMA Editor wrote:....... Henry has the title of #1 registration for 2015.

Onya Henry!
😎

Birch you gotta be in the dub push rep'n clubvw sydanee yeah 😉

Birchall will want to drive

Hi All,

Four weeks to the event and three weeks left to register - www.vwma.net.au

In typical VW racer fashion, the topic of engine lids for Volkswagen drag cars always pops up on some social media channel. One VW competitor did the right thing and contacted me directly (I know - the phone of all things), and the following paragraph is from Colin Brassington ANDRA Technical Officer:

Ordinarily sedan type vehicle regardless of cooling or engine location would need an engine lid of some sort. And this will continue to be the case at events at championship level or any other normal event.
However given the unique challenges of this event/series of events, we would be accepting of air cooled, Super Street style cars running with engine lids either propped open or removed altogether. However preference remains that engines have at least partial coverage.
We’ll monitor the event and competitors, and try and put something permanent in place for next year.

Moving on - camping at the track is available for competitors and crew only on both Friday and Saturday night. There is no need to inform me prior to the event that you will be staying at the track, but I encourage all competitors and crew to arrive before 10pm Friday to help with managing the security of the gates. On the Friday evening the impromptu RC VW cars will be doing their usual stunt/racing thing, so bring your RC along to make good use of the plentiful bitumen. There will be both RC circuit and drag racing happening.

These regular email updates will also be posted on the VWMA facebook page (www.facebook.com/vwmagazine) and various forums. The VWMA twit account will also be activated again 🙂

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig Hughes
Editor / Part Time Drag Racer
VWMA

ps Inevitably there will be a keen VW racer who claims he never heard about the event, so please feel free to send or post this information where more can be reached.

Hi All,

There has been one change to the programme for the Sydney drags. Due to a catering issue, the Pizza Party on Saturday night has been shifted back to the normal Pizza Cruise on Friday night. We will be meeting at the Shell Servo at 611 Great Western Highway at 7pm and cruising on down to Glenmore Park for a show'n'shine in the shopping centre forecourt, pizzas, giveaways, etc. On Saturday evening, instead of the planned Pizzas, Volkswagen Genuine Parts will host a free German BBQ for drivers and crew, and there will still be a band and entertainment. So still plenty happening.

I need a few more Bug Push teams to be a part of the fun during lunchtime. Please email me asap with the team name. I am sure if you do not have a registered bug to push that we can convince a show'n'shine contestant to be a part of the giggle 🙂 Don't forget team colours. The rules are posted on the VWMA website.

Trade and swap are welcome this year as I have the help and assistance of the Flat 4 Club to organise spots. The swap is the normal gate fee entrance of $20 per person and trade can contact me for rates.

See you on the track.

Cheers
Craig Hughes
Editor /

so how many entrants we got Craig for the VMWA Drags

Just heard a rumour the event has been cancelled. Does anyone know anything?

Craig will advise tomorrow

Yeah, its been canned. Track management issues I think. A bunch of us are going to go and run the JP 1/8th mile series at warwick that Saturday now... So far we have 8 or 9 Vw's going up. Even a few of the Sydney siders are coming up to give us a hand and well... tow me around all day lol! So come and do that instead!

That stinks, feel so sorry for Craig

Yeah that's piss poor, gee 2 weeks out and they come up with that!
Hope for a re-schedule👍

After a meeting with Sydney Dragway this week, the new management presented revisions to hire charges and associated costs for running the VW drag event. Although some concessions were offered for the late notice, the fee increase was substantial. Along with the hike in fees, a number of restrictive conditions was also outlined. With everything taken into consideration, the VW drag event at Sydney has become unviable, unaffordable and far less attractive to both competitor and spectator alike. Although the new management passed the buck to errors made by previous management, it was clear that small, niche drag meets, particularly unique one make events, are no longer encouraged at Sydney Dragway.

I have no choice but to cancel the event in Sydney indefinitely. Refunds, etc will be organised soon. The positive out of this debacle is confirmation of how much better rural tracks such as Warwick are in supporting and growing the sport of drag racing in this country. In the future, all my efforts and resources will be devoted to making the October VW event in Warwick stronger and better. VWMA and I will always be 100% committed to VW drag racing in Australia.

Sorry to hear you got screwed Craig... As I said, there is a bunch of us heading up to the JP 1/8th mile series at warwick on the Saturday instead now... Come up and drown your sorrows with us. Also, I'm interested in sponsoring a trophy next year at warwick if you and split the aircooled bracket into ET1 and ET2. I'll give you a call sometime anyway.

Mick Holman

bunch of pricks, grass roots drag racers protested outside parliament house in Macquarie Street and made this track come into being many years ago, even Allan Jones from 2GB got behind it, now they must only want to cater for the big end of drag racers, not caring that the racers hone their skills in lower classes

I wonder if there is another track somewhere that will host it in regional NSW

Unfortunately it seems neither surprising nor unusual for track managements to do this kind of thing, it's also happened here a few times, so much so that field sizes have steadily declined to be only 2/3 or less of what they were.
The spectator numbers have also declined in kind, go figure, huh!

I WISH we had a smaller regional track over here, my only option is the Motorplex 370km away. When a proposed regional 1/8 mile track is finished, at over 550km from me, I will be driving there (and straight past the 'Plex........) to support most meets hopefully, even if it means sleeping in the trailer!

Please, please, PLEASE Craig, keep them going at Warwick, Portland, etc. I'm still aiming to get there soon hopefully as a spectator at least. I for one appreciate not only your work in making them happen, but also in recording the events in the mag.
Well done man.

maybe a track at the central coast soon
https://www.facebook.com/2200DRA?ref=br_tf

maybe a track at the central coast soon

Been in the making for over 5 years now Would great though to have a track there

Performance Upholstery wrote:Sorry to hear you got screwed Craig... As I said, there is a bunch of us heading up to the JP 1/8th mile series at warwick on the Saturday instead now... Come up and drown your sorrows with us. Also, I'm interested in sponsoring a trophy next year at warwick if you and split the aircooled bracket into ET1 and ET2. I'll give you a call sometime anyway.

Mick Holman

Hi Mick,

I might just do that, but not to drown sorrows. That would have only happened if I had given more money away to Sydney Dragway. Not likely.

Sorry news Craig.
But Yes! there is a great 1/8 mile track at inexpensive, friendly, interesting Portland : Conveniently located half-way between Melb.& Adelaide....

VWMA Editor wrote:...it was clear that small, niche drag meets are no longer encouraged at Sydney Dragway...

What an awful outcome.

That really pisses me off - why do that? Turn away willing, returning, customers that are attempting to enhance the scene and embrace what they are offering.

maybe we should make a comment on there facebook page..not happy🙅

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyMotorsportPark?fref=ts

Something just doesn't add up

If you had a contract with the track Craig there is no way they can chance things as you said like this. It is like Woolworths advertising toilet paper for $4.00 a roll and them when you get to the cash register charging you $7.00 a roll.

What were the changes and compromises placed on you Craig ?

🙁 not good sydney you suck

Guys, I dont race. But this is a kick in the head for the guys who do and support their part of the VW scene. I posted on their facebook page. Doesnt hurt to let someone know how we feel. Its a bit like drafting a strong letter to The Times. Maybe wont do any good but its very therapeutic for me 😊

regards

Old Hutcho

ps; Keep draggin guys. Do what floats yer boat.

Karma,Ain't it a bitch.

its all a numbers game, if the number don't add up then no go.

there always


Tamworth Drag Racing Association



Drag racing 21/22 march at Gunnedah airport, part of Gunnedahs Week of Speed. 0428454502 for more information

Pazzan. Wrong link to FB page. You got a better one. That one was the motorsport people not the drag guys.

regards

Old Hutcho

This may be it:

https://www.facebook.com/SydneyDragway?fref=ts

Gunnedah sounds like a good alternative

Let me see , a dead ended road , a flagger and a video camera at the finish line. An emergency vehicle just in case. As big as that country is it should exist. Just sayin , LOL Mike

Could you just imagine if that happened and the Coppers found out- the Court Case would go on for ever and the PC pricks would have a field day. Wonder what the PC lobby group would target from that- perhaps we should be able to buy fuel with a maximum 50 octane rating to try and prevent it happening again. A quote"PC is a doctrine fostered by a delusional,illogical minority and promoted by mainstream media- that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end" Rant over

maybe we need to broaden the offer to an All Euro drag day, that might please them, will we get more numbers - hell knows. at least a try.
Might need to spread the word through the community to possibly have a chance, just an outside the square moment.

nbturbo wrote:Could you just imagine if that happened and the Coppers found out- the Court Case would go on for ever and the PC pricks would have a field day. Wonder what the PC lobby group would target from that- perhaps we should be able to buy fuel with a maximum 50 octane rating to try and prevent it happening again. A quote"PC is a doctrine fostered by a delusional,illogical minority and promoted by mainstream media- that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end" Rant over

Makes sense, Gary, except for the last bit.....my Beetle hasn't got a "clean end".

nbturbo wrote:Could you just imagine if that happened and the Coppers found out- the Court Case would go on for ever and the PC pricks would have a field day. Wonder what the PC lobby group would target from that- perhaps we should be able to buy fuel with a maximum 50 octane rating to try and prevent it happening again. A quote"PC is a doctrine fostered by a delusional,illogical minority and promoted by mainstream media- that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end" Rant over

I am a bad influance, LOL The punishment here is extreme here also and they will confiscate your car if they had a bad day.

Willowbank?

Or race at Day Of The Drags, a small niche event still running...

http://www.sydneydragway.com.au/events/day-of-the-drags-2015/

dragvw2180 wrote:I am a bad influance, LOL

Nup. You just remember how it used to be obviously! 😂

The chosen mantra has been "new and shiny" for a while now.
Hotrod's idea is good though, tack onto an event already going, then ask for your own staging lane to be a part of it all.

I still like Craig's idea though, 1/8 mile country tracks (airports are fun too!), great atmosphere.

what about somewhere like Cootamundra? They already have the VSCCA Sprints there in September....

The town is near Canberra, and only a few hours down the hume from Sydney or Melbourne

modnrod wrote:Hotrod's idea is good though, tack onto an event already going, then ask for your own staging lane to be a part of it all.

No, like other VW's that have competed (some almost every year since two friends and I started the event more than a decade ago) you race with everyone else.

A tough VW beating a hemi powered rod or a muscle car is much better for VW drag racing than a beetle racing a kombi.

I will feel dirty giving them money next time I go to WSID and I will only go there for testing from now on

I heard the dude causing the issues at WSID is from Willowbank however there has always been controversy going on at WSID.
Me, I feel for Craig, He's done more for VW dragracing than anyone as far I'm aware.
At the end if the day WSID won't get any of my money now. Qld has some great tracks and great racing. Between Willowbank and the many 1/8th regional tracks within a few hours from Brisbane why would I travel to WSID now. Shame on you WSID.

I recently posted a ‘drag bug project wanted’ request on the forum, and after receiving a fabulous response … I’m a bit disillusioned, as assuming we were successful in getting a car up and running (now postponed due to a little income issue!), I was seriously looking forward to participating in a Sydney based VWMA event.

For decades NSW was without a suitable venue then final along came Sydney Dragway. Now a decade on the hierarchy is telling us that they’re doing so well as motorsport complex, they can afford to turn business away … or at least in our case, resort to extortionary tactics with a ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatum.

Craig, my heart goes out to you. As Stanley rightly states, you’ve devoted a considerable amount of time and effort to nurture and promote VW drag racing in this country, and you’ve actually achieved a phenomenal result.

Aside to the frustration and anger felt by all, there is something fundamentally wrong here. QuikBug’s comment is absolutely right … it’s more than fair to assume that within recent months a contract was signed by VWMA and SD’s management for the event in question. Obvious comment, but such a contract is a binding agreement between the motorsport facility and the event promoter that although potentially subject to minor revision or amendment, cannot be changed substantially, let alone cancelled.

Considering the event is/was scheduled to run a fortnight from today, they’ve got a bloody hide. Admittedly there is probably more to this than meets the eye, but I would have seriously considered legal intervention before walking away.

During the early ‘90s I was directly involved in the running of Oran Park Motorsport, initially in a media role, then as Motorsport & Media Director. The annual events calendar featured Gp. A and 2 Litre touring cars, truck racing, restricted club meetings, various drive days, test and tune days and driver training conducted by performance driving schools … and was completely locked in before the end of the first quarter.

It goes without saying that in regard to open and restricted meetings … eleventh hour changes, hikes in entry fees and/or related costs or outright cancellation of events simply didn’t happen.

To add insult to injury, if you go to Events on the SD site, the greedy, albeit incompetent bastards still have the VWMA February 21 event featured in the banner atop the page. I appreciate that the VW community is fairly tightknit, but it’s inevitable there’ll be punters lined up at the gates on the 21st, chasing a little VW action. Not a good result.

Regarding NSW alternatives, having had a little to do with it, Cassar Park is still a way off yet … but I sincerely hope it becomes THE venue for the NSW drag racing fraternity, in time to come.

Bring back Brickies!!!

Chris.

Ultimately, legal action or otherwise, a successful outcome would still result in me having to work with the new Sydney Dragway management team, which I would rather not do at this stage. This comical exercise has renewed my efforts to support the small drag clubs who will always put the sport of drag racing first. It's also spurred me on to finish my dragster and get back to enjoying racing and competing, rather than being dragged (excuse the pun) through boardrooms and useless red tape.

I’m hearing you Craig … and I agree wholeheartedly.

Even if they responded favourably to any form of pressure and the meeting went ahead as per the original agreement, you’d still have to work with them, which wouldn’t have been pleasant at all.

To do what they’ve done at this late stage is extremely unprofessional, with nil regard to the promoter and/or competitors alike. I’d be interested to hear ANDRA’s take on this.

They obviously couldn’t give a toss about the time and money spent by you to organise, manage and promote the event, or by the numerous competitors in preparing their cars, arranging leave to travel, the booking of accommodation by intra and interstaters and so on.

I’m somewhat of an outsider to all this, but being mindful of the impact this type of arrogant, pigheaded decision has, I felt compelled to vent my spleen. What goes ‘round, comes ‘round … we’ll wait and see.

The strategy moving forward sounds good. Support the likes of Warwick and Portland and get back to your own projects and enjoy the racing.

I hope to be part of it in time to come.

Cheers,

Chris.

Hi Craig,
Was a contract actually signed regarding the conditions of securing the track for this event? Were any conditions for cancellation outlined in that document?

I'm with you Dave re the contract.

I can not believe that the management of a professional track as is WSID would attempt to dishonour a contract.

I think this is a classic example of everyone just taking one persons version of a story and running with it with out stoping for one second to think that perhaps there is more to the story.

Come on Craig was there a contact for the hire of the track to run the VWMA event in the Sydney as advertised or not ?

What were these compromises you talk about ?

Management changed

the contract goes out the window

Dave a new employee does not negate a contract.

Anyhow I would really like to have Craig answer the question !

It would be unprofessional for either I or Sydney Dragway to discuss details of a business contract on a public forum. I also find the suggestion that I may not be giving a full and frank account of proceedings as ludicrous. Such comments could only be made by someone who has not spent the last 10 years developing a one make series for the VW drag racing community in this country. Step up to the plate sometime and see what it takes to keep it all running.

Craig I simply asked if you signed a contract with WSID for the VWMA drag series as advertised by you for 2015.

I did not ask for specific details of the contract.

A simple yes or no answer would suffice. I believe you could not have had a contract as I have stated I do not believe the track would be able to renege on a contract.

I think Rose is more on the money with the numbers thing she spoke about earlier in the post, there simply was not the numbers for you to run the event and make money.

This is just my opinion and you can correct me if you like.

It would be great to get a representative of WSID to comment on this topic !

Hey quickbug, who the hell are you to call Craig a liar?? If people like you are going to come down like this on Craig after everything he has done for the vw racing scene in Australia he might just pack it up and stop doing it completely... If he wasn't serious about this event do you think he would have driven the 24hr round trip to get shafted by these guys??? Lets just hope there isn't too many more people like you around to question Craig's integrity and dedication to the sport... We still have at least one event for now. Dont be the one to lose that for us... At the end of the day, No Craig, no vw warwick. Give him a break.

So mr Quikbug, do you have a real name??? Do you race??