By Casey OÇonnor
The Carnell Raceway, idle for many months, was a hive of activity at the weekend as Members of the Short Circuit Motor Sport Association, the new operators of the facility conducted a two-day working bee.
Association members were joined by local motor racing enthusiasts and supporters from Brisbane, Warwick and Inverell for the event with the Association working towards reopening the facility for both car and bike racing in the near future according to Association president Moss Lane.
“We were approached by committee members from the Stanthorpe and District Car club to meet for a coffee,” Lane said.
“They explained the situation at Carnell Raceway and were keen to gauge our interest in taking on the lease.
“You could say by the time we finished our coffee it was a done deal.”
The new Stanthorpe and District Car Club committee were faced with a declining membership, rising costs and a lack of interest in what had predominantly become a drag racing circuit.
It had become clear it was not viable for them to continue.
Short Circuit Motor Sport Association vice president Ross Rundle explained that the timing was perfect.
Their organisation (SCMSA), which has 140 members, was looking for a permanent home and Carnell Raceway fitted their needs perfectly.
With the support of both the Stanthorpe and District Car Club and the Southern Downs Regional Council their proposal was accepted and a 10 year lease has been drafted.
Motor sport enthusiasts get ready as Carnell Raceway will shortly roar back to life though there was already action aplenty at Carnell at the weekend.
But rather than cars, there were mowers, a tractor and slasher, a bobcat, front end loader, a semi-trailer load of tyres for safety barriers and even blokes bending their backs with shovels as the work to bring the facility up to scratch continued.
There is much to be done and the and the new operators are determined where possible to source materials locally and show their support local business.
Representatives from Motor Sport Australia have inspected the track and provided advice on upgrades that can be done in the future.
Moss Lane confirmed that the club’s calendar of events is already filling quickly and the first official event is only weeks away.
The Qld Early Motorcycle Club who held a Try and Test event several weeks ago will be back for the Carnell Classic for solo bikes and sidecars.
The event scheduled for the weekend of 15-16 April. It is also the the first round of the South East QLD Cup for the Period Six 250cc and 500cc machines.
Various motor sport clubs have booked events and at this stage there will be something on each month through to October. The SCMSA themselves have three events planned.
The first is a Sprints and Short Circuit racing weekend in May.
Club member Gary O’Halloran said the facility has also been booked for several driver education days. The first will be for the district’s itinerant worker and others throughout the year will be for Stanthorpe and Warwick students.
The Carnell track has always had an great reputation. It is a safe but challenging circuit with good viewing facilities for patrons who have excellent access to the pit area.
The Stanthorpe Scouts will man the canteen during weekend events.
While the precinct is undergoing a bit of a facelift, Moss Lane said not everything is changing.
“The one thing that will not be changing is the name of the facility,” Lane said.
“It is, and always will be Carnell Raceway.
“There is a lot of history attached to his place and we are keen to preserve the heritage of Carnell Raceway.”
For those keen to learn more about the new operators head to their Facebook page or contact the club Secretary Bronwyn Eldridge – email secretary@scmsa.com.au
