'The action attraction of the Central West', that's Cullen Bullen Raceway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The iconic speedway has been in the area for over 30 years and houses a racing community of locals and those afar who compete once a month between September and May.
But due to Covid-19, December bushfires, floods and ongoing drought, even car racing has been affected.
"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster," Cullen Bullen Raceway secretary treasurer Sue Healey said.
"Prior to Covid we were in full race mode from September but the fires did affect us in the December meeting which we had to cancel," she said.
She said the Covid-19 restrictions that came in on large gatherings of people, put a pause on racing.
"We get fairly busy out here, usually a couple hundred with spectators and drivers, but we haven't been able to have anyone out here," she said.
Healey said the racing scene was popular around the area with drivers travelling to compete from Sydney, Goulburn, Canberra, Dubbo, Mudgee, Orange, Lithgow and more.
"We get people from all over coming out here so it's been sad to see it so empty," she said.
She said there was hope for racing to return for the 2020/21 season on September, 26 and the raceway committee had been busy getting the track ready.
"We had a working bee on Saturday (May 30) to get the graders in, tidy up, mow and basically get everything ready for the practice days," she said.
Healey said there would be two practice meets on June 13 and June 27 which would allow people to get back into the swing of things before the next race season.
She said the practice day would see a range of different race cars and age groups.
"Turning up on our practice day we have the old vintage speed cars (1960s), we've had a few guys with their 1934 vintage cars but sedan wise it's your Holden commodores, Ford falcons and junior sedans four cylinders which are your corollas and civic's," she said.
She said age groups varied from juniors aged between 10 and 16 and seniors 16 and up.
Healey said the committee were also working hard to ensure Covid-19 guidelines were put in place for the safety of everyone at the track.
"Our governing body Speedway Australia has given us a guideline on what we need to do.
"All officials, drivers, patrons will need to wash their hands, have showers before they come and are not allowed to touch anybody and they must social distance," she said.
"The basic rule is arrive, practice/race, leave."
She said there was also no canteen open yet which made it hard when it came to feeding officials.
"Speedway Australia will advise us of when we can reopen that so in the meantime people will need to bring their own food and drink," she said.
Healey said she was excited to get things back up and running despite small changes.
"I've been involved with the speedway since I was a teenager so I'm passionate about getting it up and running.
"I encourage people when things return to normal to come down, have a look and get involved," she said.
She said a lot of volunteers came from Lithgow and Mudgee to assist with being fire marshals.
"We're always looking for help," she said.
Races at the speedway start from 4pm and go through to 10pm.
For more information on the raceway head to www.cullenbullenraceway.com/
New officials box
Recently the Portland District Motor Club received a $6,375 grant under round five of the Federal Government's Stronger Communities program
The funding went towards the construction of a new commentary/officials box and marshals' stand.
Healey said it was a great new addition and just needed a one small thing.
"We are in the process of getting new steps for our new tower," she said.
Subscribing means more than just website access. Read the print paper online, enter giveaways and more for just $2 a week, cheaper than a coffee. What are you waiting for?