THE PEDAL is firmly to the metal for the return of the Festival of Speed on Tweed which is likely to run on the October long weekend (October 3-5) at Murwillumbah Showgrounds.
This date, however, is subject to agreement from other community stakeholders and Tweed Shire Council.
There are now early talks that Speed on Tweed could include a special racing division for later model cars, while maintaining the core race to predominately classic vehicles only.
Speed on Tweed committee member Mal Yev said it was too early to talk about the divisions on offer, but said the committee was eager to involve separate racing divisions.
“We are considering an option to run more recent vehicles, but we’re still maintaining the core historic race that Speed on Tweed was famous for,” he said.
Following the recent joining of Queensland Raceway and Lakeside Raceway owner and businessman John Tetley, alongside a range of eager business sponsors, Speed on Tweed has its best chance yet of returning to Murwillumbah with national fanfare.
Mr Tetley is the owner of racing sanction body Racers (Recreational and Competitive Events Resources and Services), which will provide insurance and determine the best way to establish the track including speed dampeners, barriers and spectator fencing.
“We currently help with more than 700 racing events across Australia annually,” he told The Weekly in December 2019.
“What we offer is the heavy lifting and the track building and race officials.
“The locals carry the personality and marketing of the event, which is great.
“Our job is the more predictable and what the deal we’re trying to do is three years and we make some money out of the event and then we pass the furnishings (racecourse equipment) over to the Speed on Tweed committee to run the event.”
Following Mr Tetley’s visit and the announcement of an October race date, businesses have since been quick to sign up for sponsorship packages.
Speed on Tweed Committee Vice President Dion Andrews said the response so far had been “outstanding” and he’s confident the race will go ahead in early October.
“We are currently looking at the October long weekend, and it will be great to finally have a date for racers, spectators and sponsors to work towards,” he said.
“We are now calling on local businesses to get behind the event with a sponsorship package.
“Packages range in prices and offer a range of benefits to businesses including advertising and promotions.
“We also need some help with planning aspects of the event (see below).”
Anyone interested in sponsoring the event is encouraged to contact Speed on Tweed sponsorship coordinator Bill Bitossi, who said he’s had a great run of confirmed sponsors so far.
“We are now in a race to fulfill all of the requirements for Tweed Shire Council and as such are putting out a call to arms for anyone with experience in the following: site planning, noise and sound management plan, lighting plan, signage plan, risk, safety and emergency management plan, communications plan, first aid plan, security management plan, liquor management plan, traffic control plan and waste management,” he said.
YOUR THOUGHTS: If you would like to volunteer your time and expertise for any of the above items please contact Tweed Valley Weekly editor Jonathon Howard on (02) 6672 4443.