RIP Easternats

[PVDA]

http://springvale-dandenong-leader.w...est-scrapped1/

Easternats drag fest scrapped
Local News 29 Jun 09 @ 07:57am by Rebecca David

The Burnout challenge at last year's Easternats. Photo: Jason Edwards
THE Easternats drag racing festival has been axed following years of bickering between residents, organisers and the council.

The Melbourne Racing Club would not say why it had scrapped the event, but it is understood a breakdown in communication between the club and promoter Rapid Australia led to the decision.

News of the demise of the controversial four-day event at Sandown raceway has thrilled some residents, while others are in mourning.

The event has attracted more than 25,000 visitors to the area each year since 1997.

Easternats promoter Jon Davison would not comment on the issue.

John De Blauw, of Noble Park, said residents would finally have a peaceful Easter.

“It’s like trying to go to sleep in a room full of mosquitoes,” Mr De Blauw said of race days.

Springvale’s Betty Armstrong said the event, which included controlled drag racing and burnouts, caused unnecessary carbon emissions and was unlikely to reduce hooning on the streets.

But Sandown Park Hotel Motel assistant manager Renee Davis said the weekend was booked out every year by interstate visitors.

“There would definitely be a massive effect on revenue without the event because we not only had people staying at the hotel, but coming in for meals and drinks,” Ms Davis said.

Springvale Acting Sen-Sgt Phil Atkins said safety concerns for drivers and spectators led police to support the MRC’s choice.

MRC’s Sandown manager Wade Calderwood would not elaborate but said the decision had not been made lightly.

Other motorsports, driver training and car club events will continue at Sandown.

In April Easternats organisers were slapped with more than $6000 in council fines for permit breaches.

Greater Dandenong Council’s development services director Mal Baker said some fines had been paid and both the MRC and Mr Davison would likely seek a review of unpaid fines.

He said the council had not been involved in the MRC’s decision.



So to put a positive spin on this (I don't really care one way or the other about the Easternats) what other three or 4 day event could they hold on the now free Easter weekend at Sandown??

[Falcadore]

Originally Posted by PVDA

So to put a positive spin on this (I don't really care one way or the other about the Easternats) what other three or 4 day event could they hold on the now free Easter weekend at Sandown??

Curious to know what the breeches were.

Well, Sandown 500 or the Tourist Trophy spring most immediately to mind.

[Rachel Richards]

HMMMM

I wonder if the CEO of Rapid Australia knows Bob Jane's number ?

What a perfect replacement Calder Park would be, with a 'proper' drag strip, and other good facilities for the event.

Just add a rock concert on the Saturday night and shaboom, you are on a winner ?

[bludvl_x19]

Well thats about bloody typical! I went to this years for the first time, and had a ball. I had planned on going back again next year too

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by bludvl_x19

Well thats about bloody typical! I went to this years for the first time, and had a ball. I had planned on going back again next year too

So it was your fault

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by Rachel Richards

What a perfect replacement Calder Park would be, with a 'proper' drag strip, and other good facilities for the event.

Calder has run a similar event in the Gazza Nats in the recent past, although "Gazza" brought in his own volunteer officials it was the regular Calder crew that effectively too control and made the event work.

Calders layout and the fact it also has the Thunderdome complex next door could actually make the event work much better than at Sandown.

Calder's biggest advantage is the access to/from is via the Calder Freeway which keeps most of the competitors & spectators well away from the local residents, local residents also live far enough away from the track to allow the burnout smoke to disipate to acceptable levels which seems to be one of the biggest complaints about Sandown.

Perhaps the Bob Jane T-Mart Performance Car Easterfest** is on the cards for 2010??

** I should go and register that name tomorrow morning

[inpitlane]

Originally Posted by Falcadore

Curious to know what the breeches were.

Well, Sandown 500 or the Tourist Trophy spring most immediately to mind.

The breeches were in relation to both noise and burnouts. Burnouts were banned on the back straight due to the close proximity to the residents, these idiots disregarded all warnings and signs around the track and did them anyway.
There was also a lot of problems with people leaving the venue and continuing their burnouts in the street.
I know the local restaurants hated the weekend as the smell of burnt rubber hung over the area all weekend.
I was living three Kms away and on still weekends the smell would hang around for days.
Having said that this is less about the local council and more about the antagonism between the MRC and Davo.
But as was said in another forum topic the council are taking a zero tolerance approach with noise at meetings in the future.
It would appear that Sandown may be on borrowed time.

[NewsStalker]

It would appear that Sandown may be on borrowed time.

Sandown has been on "borrowed time" for the past 5 years - this is nothing new really.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by NewsStalker

Sandown has been on "borrowed time" for the past 5 years - this is nothing new really.

So based on Oran Park's closure Sandown should still be around for another 20 years. Let's hope.

[racer69]

Indeed

RCN's circa 1980 have Amaroo just months from closure (with the ARDC moving to Oran Park)....

[NewsStalker]

chavez - if you want to look at Sandown with blinkered eyes, then believe what you want - but trying to compare Sandown and Oran Park is like comparing Albert Park and ECID.

Sandown is a multi use venue which the owners have already stated publicly does not have a long life and will be moved to another venue. The plans (i.e. thinking not physical ones) for the new venue do not include a motor racing track, only a horse track. Nothing about this is secret - the only unknowns are when and where the track will move to. When that is announced, Goodbye Sandown Park as a motor racing track.

Just think of this decision as being one step closer to the eventual closing down of the entire venue.

[Driver TBA]

Found this surfing youtube.

COMMODORE SLAMS INTO PACE CAR!! EASTERNATS 2008

And no it's not Morris or Dumbrell!


What a tool!