Speedcar Racing Hits Safety-fence Snag
The Age
Saturday February 18, 1995
The rebirth of speedway at Olympic Park after a break of 50 years made a false start last night when the track safety fence failed to meet insurance requirements.
A decision was taken to abandon speedcar heats after an inspection by representatives of the Federation of Australian Speedway.
That forced organisers to conduct a series of demonstration events for the speedcar and formula 500 divisions.
The speedcars were scheduled to contest heats of the Diamond Jubilee Derby.
The fence problems will not affect tonight's international 500 cc motorcycle meeting for which the 400-metre track has been approved by Motorcycling Australia.
Reigning national motorcycle champion Jason Crump gave the track, laid over the athletics track using 3000 tonnes of gravel and clay, the green light for bike racing.
Acting chief administrator of the federation, Bruce Howle, said the main problem for car racing was the height and strength of the wire catch fencing.
The catch fencing was part of a temporary structure built of water- filled plastic highway barriers with a plywood covering. Howle said public safety was the primary consideration.
``The organisers have in general terms done a very good job and for motorcycle racing the track and fence is perfect," Howle said.
``It has been a huge job to get this far and despite a couple of small problems the concept shows that speedway can be a success at this venue." Olympic park organiser Max Engellener said he agreed with the insurance assessment of the fence for the speedcar division.
Following tonight's 25-heat 500 cc motorcycle meeting, 10 speedcar drivers will provide another seris of demonstration laps.
The European-style track stood up well to last night's events.
© 1995 The Age