By DANE LILLINGSTONE
CARNELL Raceway received some good news last week with the announcement that the court battle that had plagued them since 2013 was finally over.
The club has been in a battle with local residents since 2013 over the request to increase the number of events permitted at the racetrack.
They have now been approved for 20 race days a year, an increase from the 12 that was previously allowed.
Over the weekend they held their first racing meet since the announcement. The Short Circuit Motor Sports Association race meet featured 82 entries over the weekend competing in short circuit races and sprint car events.
The event had a State of Origin twist to it as a QLD vs NSW showdown between teams of six from either state competed against each other. However, unlike this year’s State of Origin, New South Wales took home the trophy on the weekend.
Club president Ian Rigg said the weekend was a success.
“The past 10 years those guys have been using the track, and it was a good day for racing,” he said.
“All the competitors were very congratulatory on the decision.”
The old conditions were first drafted in 1996 restricting the track to 12 race days and three practice sessions a year. It also restricted racing between 3-8pm on Saturday, 10am-4pm on Sunday with practices permitted between 11am-3pm.
The new conditions which will now come into effect permit racing between 10am-5pm weekends with no provision for practice heats.
Council originally approved 24 races a year when the racetrack first applied for the increase, only to be knocked back when residents submitted applications to overturn the decision.
