Premier Speedway shuffles calendar, plots for South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic's hopeful return

The Allansford-based club has slotted December 18 as its new likely start date and remains committed to running the South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic but admits it will need to be "agile" as Australia exits widespread restrictions.

The December 18 date will likely feature Max's Race for sprintcars. Premier Speedway general manager David Mills said the club would reshuffle its November 6 and November 20 meetings into 2022.

He said the Victorian Sprintcar Title meeting, which was pegged for November 20, could move to form part of a double-header with Avalon's Great Southern Showdown on March 4 and 5 pending confirmation.

"At this time, we are continuing to work with the relevant state government departments with regards to when we can kick off our season in a manner that is safe for all of our competitors, officials and race fans," Mills said.

"There is so much to work through. At times it would be easier to throw our hands in the air and say let's not worry about it this year, however the club is determined to start as soon as we can, with the South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic still a part of the club's plans this season.

"To be able to have a crowd in the venue that makes an event the size of the classic viable is crucial to our decision making, then to be able to be approved for a crowd of that size, we have so many hurdles to jump.

"That includes fully understanding the impact of COVID vaccination passports, how our seating can work, the ability to attract staff to operate canteens, etcetera are all a part of it and are very real issues that we are addressing now."

Mills said the club needed government approval before it could sign off on its ticketing structures.

"We understand that there may be starting to be a degree of agitation from those that have purchased season passes, memberships and reserved seats for the coming season and also from those that are expecting ticket sales to be available on-line, as to why they haven't had these mailed out yet or as to why they can't access the ticketing site," he said.

"The answer to this is that we have everything in place and ready to go from our end, but again we need the government to sign off on how we are going to operate before we can commence the mail out or launch our ticketing."

"The long and the short of it is that our patience like those awaiting tickets is being tested however we don't want to short-change anyone and we are simply waiting for the all clear to move forward.

"In reality, if we are searching for a time frame, early December is when we think we will be able to or in a worst case scenario be forced into making some solid decisions."

Mills said planning for the classic - which didn't run in 2021 due to international and state border closures and COVID-19 restrictions - was well underway.

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"However if our amazing fans wish to try and secure accommodation, we suggest confirming with your accommodation provider what is the latest fee free cancellation date to avoid any unnecessary cost," he said.

"In a perfect world the classic will run but it may yet be affected by border closures in certain states, it may also have a capped audience and in a worst case, it may even be postponed and replaced by individual nights of racing."

Mills said the club's stance on vaccination would be guided by state government regulations.

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