Article by CHICANE CULTURE dot COM

There was a time when motor enthusiasts in Sydney had options. For a period of 8 years, after the opening of Eastern Creek in 1990, Sydney had 3 race tracks. For the mathematicians among you, that’s 2 more than what we have now after the closure of Oran Park Raceway earlier this year and the long forgotten Amaroo Park Raceway which closed in 1990.

For a city the size of Sydney, having only one option severely limits the participation in a great sport and the education of all drivers. Available track time is very limited. Eastern Creek is booked out for months ahead and grass roots clubs can’t get a foot in. These clubs are forced to look elsewhere for their track days, often driving hours out of Sydney to tracks like Wakefield Park Raceway. The distance keeps many home.

Recently, the NSW State Government introduced a scheme where learner drivers are required to fill in log books as proof of their driver training. I have a younger brother who is now licensed under this system. His many friends also acquired their licenses under the system and there isn’t a single one of them who completed their required hours. It’s just a bit of ink in a book. Rather than spending tax payers money on ridiculous systems that ultimately teach young drivers how to commit fraud, they ought to look at some Scandinavian systems and cherry pick a proper training program aimed at really teaching youngsters how to drive and what to do in emergency situations on the road.

In Norway for example, before anyone is allowed behind a wheel, they must attend a four day course which teaches them everything from basic road rules to first aid and how to communicate effectively in an emergency situation. In Sweden, a skid circuit day is a requirement. Quality systems that teach invaluable lessons for the good of all drivers on the road. A day behind the wheel of a car on the edge and beyond will do more for a young driver than any amount of hours spent forging a log book.

The point of this seemingly off topic babbling is pretty straight forward. If the government keeps tearing down tracks, the public loses driver training facilities and we’re that much farther from seeing a compulsory skid pan day as part of the licensing system. Silly TV commercials using scare tactics designed to shock people into better drivers…? The terrifying imagery on a TV screen is low impact. Kids don’t even watch TV any more. Really losing control of a car in a controlled environment and learning what to do in that situation is a very positive experience.

The simple nature of economics dictates that fewer suppliers means higher costs. With Eastern Creek Raceway being the only track left in Sydney, and their calendar full for the next few months, they can charge exorbitant rates for track hire for both motorsport use and driver training. If a car club somehow manages to get a booking for the weekend, they will have to naturally pass these costs on to their members. Paying $300 for a few laps is not good value when you can pay half that at Wakefield.

The harsh reality of a lack of venues also means increased incidents on public roads where the drivers were breaking some road rules by drifting, doing burnouts, racing or speeding. I speak from experience when I tell you that the time I spend on the track with my car and go-kart makes me a much better and safer driver on public roads. Being able to test your car and yourself on the track teaches you invaluable lessons. It truly turns you into a responsible driver on public roads where you have to contest with drivers who have very little respect for their vehicles having never experienced a simple lock up in the wet.

Not all is bleak though. There are people actively seeking alternative venues for a new driver training and motor sports facility within Sydney. Graham Harlow is one such man. He has put together a plan to use a Commonwealth owned former land fill area in Lucas Heights. The land is bounded by no development zones which helps limit noise pollution to residential zones and provides security for a long term lease.

A proposal for a race track is always met with some resistance. What can we do to help? Take 5 minutes of your time to write to Sutherland Shire Council in support of this proposal. You can phone them between 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday on 02 9710 0333, send an email to scc@scc.nsw.gov.au (make sure to add your address as they reply by post), or write them to Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 1499.