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Drag Racing Discuss Drag Racing here be it dirt or tarmac. Sponsored by Sydney Dragway. |
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#1 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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A bit of history first...
The drag strip has (as the article says) been there for 30yrs and built on top a WW2 airstrip (the remains of the old runway are still there just past the end of the drag strip). Across the road is the Townsville go-kart track. Now the Bohle is an industrial area, until 2009 whereby the current council rezoned it it residential (in a move which upset all the established businesses there). The gokart track is privately owned and was apparently offered to be bought out by council for a sum of $2.5MILLION in 2009. The owners told the council where to go. Last year the gokart track owners reached an agreement with council and developers in regards to noise issues as there was a fear that they would be forced to close because of council noise regulations in residential areas. Housing estate is to be built all around the gokart track and roads have already been been built next door where the land has been subdivided. (just remember this facility has been there over 10yrs and it was miles from housing). Now before we got a the $55MILLION WHITE ELEPHANT V8 street circuit (which gets used once a year), there was a idea of a perminant street circuit (race track) to be built at the Bohle and land was allocated. Council REFUSED the idea and said it was unsuitable (brown paper bags from developers), instead they built a useless circuit in the middle of town. Now again we see a lack of vision, lack of planning (rubber stamping housing at all costs) threatening an established 30yrs old facility. Quote:
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#2 | |||
Performance Inc.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: In a cave
Posts: 2,554
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Its happening everywhere the same type of stuff Sydney lost Castlereigh drag strip, Amaroo park then we lost Oran park all iconic in their day, they all existed away from home developments now the urban sprawl has claimed them all.
Sad thing is once their gone they wont be replaced. Bit like the idiots who bought cheap blocks near Medowie and built new homes in Newcastle and now all the people do is whinge about the RAAF base and planes leaving Williamtown... well derr the airstrip was there well before you built your homes. Difference there is GOVCO own that facility so no chance of it closing down.
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#3 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Quote:
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You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,710
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sad situation!
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#5 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 310
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Surfers Paradise all over again, very sad
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#6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 786
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Pfft...... just how is Bohle considered to be residential!?
Sad to know just how the council has again put the squeeze on the North Queensland motorsport community. |
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#7 | ||
454 Power
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Townsville, NQ
Posts: 1,026
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I'm surprised it's still operating... That new 'Greater Ascot' development is literally a stones throw from the strip now. Kalynda Chase is getting closer.
You can hear the drags down in Deeragun when there is a street meet on. These people in these suburbs on the doorstep of the drags will be complaining about the noise soon enough... So, the drag strip is going to get redeveloped into residential living, they will be living across the road from the new commercial development thats just gone in.???
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#8 | ||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,030
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If they want to build houses next to things like that, maybe they should create extra regulations that all houses near those facilities have to have double glazed windows and other noise cancelling insulation/methods.
Then everyone could be happy, they won't have an issue with noise if their house is set up properly, and people can still race there. |
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#9 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,336
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This is exactly like Calder Park. Track built middle of no where. Houses get built, track suffers.
Basically comes down to the dollar, the land is worth more with houses on it than a race track. |
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#10 | ||
BUILT FORD TUFF
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Mackay QLD
Posts: 1,919
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Yes this is all true but sometimes and i repeat sometimes the Tracks do nothing too help themselves. I had some involvement with the GOLD COAST KART CLUB's track which has had its track and land taken off them by the Government due to urban sprawl. They offered the Club huge amounts of money and alternate land to build a new track which was to be council approved at force by the government. The club stood its ground and when push came to shove they took the track and land and gave them the money ( read $3 plus million) but as they stood there ground they did not get any alternate land or council approval. Now they could not get any land anywhere that the council would approve and when they did find land the council would come up with some bull. The thing is that we can not stop the urban sprawl and if the track owners work with Government and council from the start than brand new better facilities can be built at sites that will suit. Its when track owners are not willing to work with the developers and government bodies that the get thrown out on the ear with money and no where to build. The Townsville V8 track is a joke, why would you spend that much money in an area that has no motor sport complex within 1400km for once a year. Whoever did it should be shot for a waste of tax payers money
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#11 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Checking out soft furnishings....
Posts: 8,693
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It's a crap track anyway, never prepared properly and impossible to get traction from the start. my mates and i have been travelling to mackay for the last two years for this exact reason. I hope it does close.
I'm really disappointed though that we don't have a track here to use. the V8's coming here were a perfect excuse to make one and instead they wasted 50 million on something that only gets used once a month. Last edited by fordomatic; 03-02-2012 at 07:28 PM. |
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#12 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Quote:
Once a month? Nope... it gets used once a year for racing and occasional concerts (much to the dismay of residents). Remember now this was vacant park land and surrounded by homes which were there for over 70yrs. Irrespective of the "quality" of the track, the fact remains it will close and no one will have anywhere to go locally, which means the chances of street racing will increase. The bohle area has been industrial zoned for over 40yrs and it was at least 15 to 20km from the nearest homes until the Mount Louisa area was allowed to develop (under and right next to the flight path of aircraft, which pass by at 800ft as the airport is just 1km away) and Kalynda Chase was built near it a few years ago. I am throughly disgusted at this councils attitude to this situation and one councillor (Vern) bluntly said IT WILL GO AHEAD....
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You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#13 | ||
TUFF FORDS
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: cairns
Posts: 3,497
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no surprise it's been in motion for over 5 years, i'm quite surprised it's still going, i think if the building boom had not have slowed it would have been gone 2 years ago..
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#14 | |||
TUFF FORDS
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: cairns
Posts: 3,497
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Quote:
granted the track is a pos and rays a arrogant ******** but lack of support to these things brings about there ending, after reading TD website i think regardless of the housing it was coming to the end anyway.. whats sad is you guys have the track and 90% of the cars that go there are from out of town ![]() |
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#15 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Checking out soft furnishings....
Posts: 8,693
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yeh Jim typo, my bad. meant to say once a year. it really does annoy me that we don't have a track here, it would get alot of use if we had one.
Let's get real, on a weekly street meet there is lucky to be 30 cars at the track. Ray can't be making much money of it (not that he spends any on the track). Although he has said he will put vht traction compound to the 60ft line for tomorrows event. Street racing here is huge, always has been, it still goes on quite regularly out on Ingham road and the bohle and north up to bluewater. You are ignorant if you think it does not happen here any more. When it's wet Ingham road and the industrial area is every townsville bogans skid pan at 10pm. closing the track wont make a difference. protd, i know i was harsh to say it should close im just over the inconsistencies of the track. As is almost everyone you speak to on a typical street drag night. I wonder if they will build a new one when this one closes? I will be there tomorrow night having a couple of runs, but it's my guess it will be one of the last nights there. |
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#16 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Yes i know of plenty area around town where burnouts happen and a bit of racing at night... this is always a gimmie here as the number of bogans here just keep increasing.
Sadly though for those who want to do the right thing what other choice will they have? If the motor sports track was built when the idea was floated 5yrs ago then things would be a little different. A purpose built facilty incorporating go-karts, drag way and a proper race circuit wouldve been nice. However since some 50/60Million was wasted on our "street circuit" (which only has two parts as actual gazetted roads)I doubt nothing will happen.
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You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#17 | ||
TUFF FORDS
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: cairns
Posts: 3,497
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I know it won't really benefit townsville but there is a proposal for a new track, we have the land, we have approval just need funding now, a local developer has given $1 million dollars, we need to raise another million for work to start..
http://www.springmountdragracing.com/wb/ |
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#18 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seymour, Australia
Posts: 166
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I live in Northshore and don't hear a thing. I went a few weeks ago and there was a small turnout but it was still a good atmosphere. If i wasn't away with work at the moment i would defiantly be there tomorrow night supporting what needs to stay. Stuff this council all they want is more rate payers by building houses but yet it won't effect anything else that happens in this fantastic town.
Keep the strip keep the history so we can all meet other people that have the same passion as each other.
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#19 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NQ
Posts: 1,781
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To me the track is very important, without it if I want to continue racing I have to drive to Mackay or Springmount if it gets built. Not only is this a long way for me to tow my car but it's an over nighter meaning I have to find accomodation and a safe place for the car and trailer.
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#20 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 770
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I think its time to start looking elswhere for a new drag strip to be built as they never fix anything and it is pretty delapidated and dangerous after you cross the finish line with all the potholes especially .I have been goin for years and nothing is ever done to better the place
Really i can't see why one can't be made at woodstock or somewhere like that, Charters Towers wants a strip bad and we need a new one with new managment so with both towns working together it would be win win?? |
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#21 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Seymour, Australia
Posts: 166
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How did the turn out go last night guys? Any pictures out there?
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#22 | ||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5
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It's a joke they talk about taking racing off the streets and this happens Damn doosh bags. Reminds me too went up to ingham last year for the car show and frigin dept of transport is pulling every one over and fineing them for minor things and all these guys were doing were travelling to a place where the could lay lines in a safe controlled environment we cant win either way!
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#23 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NQ
Posts: 1,781
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![]() Show up or shut up. |
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#24 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Yea I was about to post that info above!
Come on Townvillians lets get behind this.
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You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#25 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NQ
Posts: 1,781
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Hope to see you there Jim, bring your XB I'll have mine on a trailer.
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#26 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Its on again folks:
http://www.facebook.com/events/394771887203459/ Quote:
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You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#27 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Quote:
__________________
You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#28 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NQ
Posts: 1,781
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Yeah mate that was it, can't make it this time unfortunately. Had to take a day off to go last time, won't be able to this time. Hope it goes well and the crowd show up.
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#29 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sun City, North Australis
Posts: 4,274
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Quote:
Also the cruise will now end at Pit Lane at Reid Park, not the showgrounds.
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You've seen it, you've heard it and your still asking questions?? Don't write off the Goose until you see the box going into the hole.... |
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#30 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NQ
Posts: 1,781
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So how did it go Jim?
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