“THE PEOPLE’S SPEEDWAY” GETS MAJOR OVERHAUL AHEAD OF ANNUAL EASTER EVENT

Mildura’s B&S Earthworks Timmis Speedway has bounced back from a heartbreaking 2021-22 season to present a freshly renovated venue ahead of their major easter event this weekend.

Following a major wreck involving the turn 3–4 catch fence at the 360 easter nationals last season, the committee along with life members of the Mildura Speedway Drivers Club and Speedway Australia staff assessed the damage to their 25-year-old catch fence and conceded that it was no longer safe for operation.

In a bold move for safety of competitors, fans and officials, the stakeholders made the difficult decision to cease operation at the northwest Victorian venue and construct a completely new safety fence.

However, the decision to replace the existing structure exposed further issues, including overhead power lines and connected infrastructure which in turn also affected the track light poles, PA system, track safety lights, timing loop and power supply to the pit box.

Facing a $500,000 + repair bill, the team got on the front foot and started fundraising and lobbying to secure the funds required to make the improvements to their venue, but despite their best efforts, were unsuccessful in acquiring the government grants funding that would contribute the lion’s share of the capital required.

Determined to not give up, the Mildura Speedway Drivers Club doubled down on their crowd funding efforts and invested every dollar they had towards building the venues new track safety fence, instigating the “Buy a Pole” initiative for anyone who wished to contribute to the renovation which successfully enabled them to purchase the required fence post uprights, while other fundraising initiatives financed the mesh, cables and numerous other projects.

President of Mildura Speedway Drivers Club Geoff Fell said, “This is all about future proofing our racetrack for the generations to come. It was important that we not only build a new safety fence to get back to racing, but we also needed to create a legacy for the venue’s competitors and officials for the future. We didn’t want to just build the minimum required, so we focused on building a fence to meet the Speedway Australia 5 Star Safety standard, and although the venue won’t be 5 star rated just yet, the infrastructure is now in place for that to happen after we complete some other improvements.”

Adding to the new catchfence, the hard working team of volunteers also achieved:

• A new flag waivers stand
• A new General Admission Ticketing box
• Revamped the spectator entrance points
• Repaired and replaced fence sections and gates
• Repainted the outside of the clubrooms
• Extended the spectator car park
• Redesigned the pit layout
• Upgraded their toilet systems
• Installed new fresh water tanks
• Improved the Pit Entry Box
• Installed retractable barriers behind pit gates
• Built a new dummy grid
• Upgraded and repainted Safety and Push vehicles
• Installed upgrades to outlets and catering facilities
• Constructed an additional spectator area on the back straight
• Replaced and repaired electrical infrastructure to many locations in the venue
• Rewired track safety lights
• Re wired PA System
• Repainted the pole line
• Repainted the concrete wall

Speedway Australia CEO Darren Tindal was amazed with the achievements of the Mildura club.

“I was able to attend the Mildura venue a handful of times in the past twelve months with Nev Ross, our Victorian Sport Development Officer and t was difficult to see such a popular and important venue be closed for operation. But to see the ambition, dedication and resilience of the Mildura Club was truly inspirational. Their hard work and collective efforts is what makes that club so great and is also the reason why they are reopening this weekend. We are extremely proud of what they have achieved, and the sport nationwide should applaud them for their efforts.”

Not resting on their laurels, B&S Earthworks Timmis Speedway are still determined to upgrade their lighting when the right funding opportunities become available, and over the Easter weekend, will utilise industrial portable lighting to illuminate the race track for twilight racing with the remaining events for this season to be day events.

Mildura Rural City Council have committed to continue their efforts in assisting the Speedway by developing a Regional Motorsport Strategy for the region, to support the $24 million influx that motorsport brings into the Mildura economy each year. The strategy has been given the green light by Sport and Recreation Victoria and is the first of its kind in the nation.

To find out more about B&S Earthworks Timmis Speedway or how you can help find them on Facebook or head to their website www.Milduraspeedway.com