FlyingVizsla Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 I have just found out that our Council has given permission for a drag racing event at our airstrip over a long weekend. The airstrip would be closed to planes and the whole facility (2 sealed strips and grassed areas) would be in use. In getting letters of support from other groups, the car club have opened up possibilities to others - now there is talk of driver training, supervised "hooning" and sports on the sealed strip. I know the bitumen surface was never designed to take the high grip and temperature of drag racing wheels. The car club would like their own strip of bitumen at the race track - but I think they have discovered how expensive that is. We are not exclusive, the airstrip is uncertified and the only barrier is a grid and 3 strand barbwire fence - people often walk dogs and ride bikes, but they can get off if they see a plane coming. A driver training or drag course can't. WHAT I NEED FROM YOU - if you know of any airstrip that has had drag racing (or similar) that sustained damage could you let me know, or give me a contact that I can talk to. I need to present the Council with some evidence - particularly that it will COST them to repair damage. Our local councillor is opposed for these reasons but also that the RFDS can't get in and it stops country people flying in for events. We are dealing with bureaucrats who know nothing of aviation (even the one who manages the airports) and little of civil engineering, and care little for small communities outside of their HQ - they make the decisions like this - not the Councillors. Any pointers appreciated. Sue
facthunter Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 Think Casino had that. AOPA might have something on it. It's bad news. Nev
fly_tornado Posted January 24, 2011 Posted January 24, 2011 probably a good idea to grab a camera and photograph the strip prior to them turning up. put together a decent condition report prior to and after the event. sounds like you are forced to go along with this so you could use the event to recruit some people to flying.
aaron roberts Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Cessnock had it too not sure of out come.
Spin Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Bit of info here; http://www.recreationalflying.com/showthread.php/110536-Airfield-closures?highlight=drag+racing Strikes me that a two pronged approach to council; i) cost of repairs and ii) possible legal issues re complaince with ANDRA etc regs would be a good way to go.
Guest JRMobile Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Think Casino had that. AOPA might have something on it. It's bad news. Nev Yes Nev - Casino had this out last year: http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2010/10/16/casino-drag-race-quarterly-casino-aerodrome/ http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2010/10/20/dragged-out-da-application-ends-in-win-for-racing/ http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2010/09/02/drags-casino-jukebox-lismore-wood/ It is worth bearing in mind that this is the same council that is working very hard to sell off Evans Head airstrip. Sue, Can I suggest you contact the guys and gals at Casino aero club for some insight on this topic. Cheers John
68volksy Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Hi Sue, We used to have Drag Racing and car testing at Goulburn until the users got together and pointed out how damaging it was. Unfortunately for us the Council then went one step further and are selling the airport entirely. If we could have the time again we would probably have tried to find a way to make these other things work as the Council was happy so long as the airport wasn't costing them money. Now the future of the airport land will be laid entirely in the hands of a private property developer with no guarantee as to access or charges. I'm not looking to support the drag guys but just sharing an experience. Cheers, Tim
jetjr Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 I think Casino built an airstrip separate to the drag strip. I can see how this would work OK We had an attempt to run drags here, after we suggested insurance was needed for possible airfield damage (sure that council couldnt find the money if got corrugations in it) its also near town so was canned I thought there was some issue with Drag racing at Wellington's Bodangora but seems its still going after 18mth off
Guest davidh10 Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Sue; I'm told that the reason Corowa YCOR has had one runway temporarily closed for the last eight months (that I can verify), is that they held drag racing and damaged the strip. I'm told the council lacks the funds to repair it, so looks like it will stay closed for the foreseeable future. Valid from 0340 UTC JAN 25, 2011 to 0340 UTC JAN 26, 2011 NOTAM INFORMATION ----------------- COROWA (YCOR) C48/10 REVIEW C46/10 RWY 14/32 NOT AVBL DUE MAINT TAXIWAY AVBL. RWY 05/23 AVBL FROM 12 192259 TO 03 310300 EST C1/11 NDB 'COR' 380 NOT AVBL FROM 01 140742 TO 02 180600 EST Valid from 2031 UTC JUL 24, 2010 to 2031 UTC JUL 25, 2010 COROWA (YCOR) C10/10 RWY 05/23 AND RWY 14/32 DECLARED DIST AND GRAD CHANGES RWY TODA 05 1887(4.45) 23 1887(3.49) 32 1584 (3.53) SUPPLEMENTARY TKOF DIST RWY05 1409(1.6) 1548(1.9) 1629(2.2) 1691(2.5) 1802(3.3) RWY23 1321(1.6) 1519(1.9) 1658(2.2) 1732(2.5) 1868(3.3) RWY14 1473(1.6) RWY32 996(1.6) 1166(1.9) 1291(2.2) 1385(2.5) 1558(3.3) FROM 03 010834 TO PERM C33/10 REVIEW C32/10 RWY 14/32 NOT AVBL DUE RWY MAINT FROM 05 200510 TO 08 310600 EST
bones Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Yep it ****es off alot of people up here at YCHT also, they shut the whole damn airport down, cant even use the cross strip, i had a student fly up from NSW, too bad they put in a NOTAM, so they can do what the hell they want, even run and operate a licanced bar on the airport grounds, and we cant even have a beer in the hangar after flying without risk of being busted. Basically Sue there appears to be bugga all you can do, the strip appears to be holding up so far, they had about 4-5 drag meets, but the strip was just top dressed for them, not us, go work that out.
dunlopdangler Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 I organised the wings and wheels at dalby and we married aviation and car events all in one quite well although we did suffer a little in regard to access by both groups on the taxiway. The runway was used the first year for drag racing and it was evident that the bitumen was not designed to take traction forces from the rear wheels of high horsepowered cars so we quickly canned that in subsequent events. The council engineer (Graham Cooke) can testify to that. The other thing is that drag cars are hard to hold in a straight line and as all sealed runways have a camber to desperse water in the event of rain would increase the risk of a car loosing control and perhaps hitting spectators causing a big risk to council, as the council would have more money than the car club and their insurance companies would try to duck for cover and then the money trail would go to the owner of the aerodrome for allowing the event in the first place..that is the council..this is a very real risk to them and your strongest argument.
dazza 38 Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 I was thinking, councils could shut down the airstrip for a couple of hours in a morning and get a couple of hundred pushbike riders in their tights, a couple of witches hats at either end of the strip.They could race around the strip backwards and forwards pay some money to do it.It wont damaged the surface like drag racing or truck testing.Make the council some money AND stop them blocking off major roads to do the same thing.Just a thought.:big_grin:
dunlopdangler Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Stop it dazza..you are making too much sense
Guest ozzie Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 If drag racing on airports is the in thing then maybe a section on the forums would be the go. :) OK i'll go stand in the corner now.
Guest Wigg Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 They used to drag race on the airstrips at Mangalore years ago when John used to fly there, not sure if they still do it or not.
David F Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 We had to endure "rev fest" last year.They used the taxiway on the western side the main strip was in use but we could not access it. Our club objected to the event,as did the local Police.The event was poorly organised the spectators could not see the racing from the alotted area so they moved so they could(cant blame them as they had paid $40 entry plus $10 parking) on the other side of the main runway.Its not a safe situation to have thousands of spectators wandering around an active airfield. . Anyway many spectators were unhappy airfield users were unhappy Airport management and the organisers were very happy as a substancial sum of money was made. I suspect that palms were greased to get such a stupid event to happen.
Guest ozzie Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 If one of the reasons Cessnock Council held their event was to get the hoons to move from the streets to the strip, it did not work. You can hear them most nights with the main events Friday and Saturday nights. Our street is a cull de sac, we are right at the end. They hoon down the road and as they turn around drop a huge darky for as far as they can. Some even do it during the day scattering the 20 or so young kids that ride bikes etc. You can see the results all over the area. They seem to know where the local lone police officer is working so he is not much help. The Highway Patrol are useless only interested hiding behind their radar further up the valley. If anything this sort of hooning has increased dramatically after the Cessnock Rev Fest. Worst part is they are not even decent cars just 'P for Peckerheads' driving ****boxes. If your local council use the 'will get them off the streets' line, tell them it just don't work. Fight against this sort of event. To try and combat this sort of thing several residents now use their CCT cameras to record cars as they enter the street.
Sloper Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 l have been involved with car club events trying to get a airstrip organised and from what l have seen it's $$$$$$$ for the council. Last year we had the insurnce, the cash but at the last moment the council pulled out for security reasons. Unfortunatly clubs that have a genuine intrest in drag racing are lumped together as hoons one, of the clubs l am in has a average age of 50 and the other around 40 however this club has the word Commodore in it so you are automaticaly considered a hoon. Not sure about damage to the surface, it sounds to me the cars were big HP car that should be on a proper dragstrip anyway. It seems to me that maybe both groups should work together, airports are not generaly in the city and facilitys could be considered spartin. If a taxi way is given up for legal drag racing, there is another cash income and facilities will improve for all to use. regards Bruce
fly_tornado Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 I worked with a regional local gov for 5 years, from that experience I learnt that the council are interested in the money as much as they are in securing political support. Turn up with an idea that is going to get people on board with the local council and its not going to put the council out significantly on finances they will pursue it. Car community is much larger than the flying one so councils are going to be more open to their ideas. From what I saw, locals can always apply to the federal government for money but there is no easy way to get the public onside.
HEON Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Warwick had bright idea some years ago to let Volvo test truck braking on the strip. Very little money made, AND a six figure amount required to resurface the whole 1600m strip
fly_tornado Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 that's one way to get the strip resurfaced!
winsor68 Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 I was thinking, councils could shut down the airstrip for a couple of hours in a morning and get a couple of hundred pushbike riders in their tights, a couple of witches hats at either end of the strip.They could race around the strip backwards and forwards pay some money to do it.It wont damaged the surface like drag racing or truck testing.Make the council some money AND stop them blocking off major roads to do the same thing.Just a thought.:big_grin: Lol Dazza... those bloody push bike riders! I fly aeroplanes from a Dragstrip... Sort of a bit of getting our own back. I guess Palmyra is sort of unique in this and I reckon you would have to have bananas in your head to let the local drag club onto your airstrip.
Guest Crezzi Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 There is an article in this months AOPA mag about the airfield at the dragstrip near Mackay (I assume that is Palmyra). The racing surface isn't used as the runway though is it ? Cheers John
winsor68 Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Noooooo..... If Aopa says they don't then of course not. For Ra-Aus flying with the Texan the grass and the return road are ample.
country kid Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 the wongan hills air strip has recently being sealed for RFDS aircraft, the council organizes a few drag races per year in which nearly any one can enter they rekon it reduces the ammount of hooning that happens on the roads around the shire, there normaly a bug shin dig and a heap of fun some one dose keep an eye on radios and if there is an aircraft inbound they have no fuss with clearing the strip for it to land but since most of the time its at night its not really an issue... i cant see it being an issue if managed properly
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