After an extended hiatus due to COVID-19, the Goulburn Speedway made a triumphant return recently with a near-capacity crowd at its first official event since February.
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On November 14, the speedway played host to almost 500 competitors, staff, and spectators for an event which featured six divisions.
Speedway race secretary, Tony Kranitis, said it was "great" to host races again and see how eagerly the fans had awaited their return.
"It was a great night, the track was great, it was great to be back on deck," Kranitis said.
"We had a couple of competitors pull out at the last minute, which worked out fine because we were just under the 500 we were allowed. If they had turned up, we might have had to knock some back.
"I was actually concerned that people were ringing up and asking if there were guaranteed tickets, and obviously we couldn't do that with the restrictions. It worked out just right for us, which was good. We didn't have to turn anybody away."
The restrictions to which Kranitis referred are the remaining COVID-19 safety guidelines which remain in place for public gatherings. The speedway is allowed to host up to 500 people and must implement social distancing measures at its events, which Kranitis said went off without a hitch.
The return event also served as an ideal lead-in to the speedway's upcoming events, on December 5 and December 12.
Two meets would not normally be held so close together, but Kranitis said the second of the two is actually the Wingless Sprints State Championship.
"We sorted this out a couple of months ago," he said.
"It meant running back-to-back, which we don't normally do, but it's a prestigious event. [Wingless Sprints are] running on the fifth as well so we're expecting really good numbers."
The titles next month are the first of three state events to be hosted by the Goulburn Speedway this season.
On January 9, the Compact Speedcars will hold their State Championships, and the Super Sedans state title will take place on March 27.
While the local track is no stranger to hosting state events, it is unusual to have three in the one season. This, Kranitis said, was a matter of good timing.
"They usually like to share them around, and you've got to tender for them as well," he said.
"We got offered the three titles and we took them. The Super Sedan title was supposed to run last year, and because we couldn't run it, we still had it allocated. We put in for the Wingless Sprints last year and missed out, so they offered it to us this year."
The speedway received more good news on November 24, when it received a $25,000 grant from Speedway Australia in order to build a new control tower.
Construction is expected to begin after the 2020/21 season, and Kranitis thanked Speedway Australia for its assistance.
This weekend's event at the Goulburn Speedway will feature four divisions: Wingless Sprints, Super Sedans, Fender Benders, and Lt Sprints.
Gates open at 4pm, with races scheduled to start from 6pm. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for pensioners and children under 14, free for those under school age, and $40 for two adults and two children.
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