Major drag racing news from within Australia has a new super facility at the ready line…
The finishing touches have been made and associations have been aligned in anticipation for the first season for an impressive new drag racing standard within Australia – located just north of Adelaide at Tailem Bend South Australia.
Recently, the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) and Dragway at The Bend announced the official signing of a sanctioning agreement between the two parties.
ANDRA will provide sanctioning services for a wide range of events to be held at the new Dragway at The Bend, including the upcoming Spring Nationals featuring the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) on October 21 and 22.
“The completion of Dragway at The Bend has been hotly anticipated by the entire Australian drag racing community and ANDRA is pleased to be a part of the operation of this world-class facility through the provision of sanctioning services,” ANDRA Chief Executive Officer, Tim McAvaney, said.
“With the track inspection completed, we look forward to seeing the first ever events being held here, including October’s Spring Nationals – the first national-level event for the venue.
“Having such an incredible new facility coming online for Australian drag racing is certainly very exciting for all involved in Australian drag racing, and especially those located in South Australia.”
Built as part of the Shahin family’s continued investment in the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park facility, Dragway at The Bend is preparing to bring not only domestic but also international events.”
“With the completion of the Dragway at The Bend we are excited to welcome all drag racers, event organisers and sanctioning bodies who want to utilise this world class facility and put the motorsport discipline of Drag Racing back on the map here in South Australia,” Shell V-Power Motorsport Park Managing Director, Sam Shahin, said.
“This facility is a cornerstone of the master plan of the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park and we are thrilled to welcome the public to enjoy more motorsport here at The Bend.”
While the official ribbon-cutting at Dragway at The Bend is being reserved for the upcoming Spring Nationals in October – recently (Sept 20th) the brand-new venue’s first ever event was hosted — with the 120th Harley Davidson anniversary HogFest roaring to life.
As part of this event, a host of ANDRA-licensed motorcycle riders took their racing machines down the track, completing exhibition passes for an engrossed crowd.
ANDRA CEO Tim McAvaney was there at the event, and said it was fantastic to see Dragway at The Bend officially ‘live.’
“To see Dragway at The Bend burst into life for the very first time with HogFest was very exciting,” McAvaney said. “This is truly an immaculate facility, and it is a credit to all involved with Dragway at The Bend and the Shahin family. The meeting went off without a hitch, and this is no small feat for a first event at a brand-new venue, so this was an excellent result and great to see. Speaking to racers at the track, there was plenty of positive feedback about the smoothness of the track, the traction for a brand-new surface, and the complex facilities. Well done to Dr Shahin, the Dragway at The Bend staff, and all the volunteers on a great event – everyone I talked to was so pleased to be involved and we all can’t wait for the Spring Nationals come October 21 and 22.”
The Spring Nationals at Dragway at The Bend will feature not only the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) but also the latest round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series. For event information, visit www.thebend.com.au
For more information about Dragway at The Bend, visit www.thebend.com.au/dragway
For more information about ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
Posted by Amanda Cobb
