Time to rev up campaign to protect Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic date

The 50-year-old Classic is an event that brings thousands of people to the region from across Australia and America, injecting $7 million into our economy annually.

The people, the hype, the time of year - the last weekend before summer holidays end and kids head back to school - all add up to create a festival atmosphere.

None of Premier Speedway's founders could have imagined how big and popular the event has become. It rivals the city's other horsepowered event - the three-day May Racing Carnival - for our biggest in terms of crowds and exposure.

But the Classic is racing to keep its traditional date around Australia Day.

The Sprintcar Control Council of Australia recently announced on social media the 2025 national title would be held in Sydney on January 25-26 - the weekend usually reserved for the Classic. Seemingly it was done without consultation and has Premier Speedway officials worried.

They are rightly pushing for a re-think.

They have every right to be aggrieved, Premier dared do what no other club or promoter could - create a two-night show that blossomed into a three-night extravaganza that has stood the test of time and captures international headlines. Today's organisers have an obligation to the event's founders to carry on the tradition. The Classic is Australia's most sought-after because it pits Aussie drivers against the world's best - something the national title doesn't allow.

The Aussie title and adding the coveted number one to a car is also a tradition and great honour. But what those responsible for the decision to hijack the Classic's date don't understand is the Classic means more than just someone winning.

It is the lifeblood of our region, it provides an economic stimulus that sustains us long after the dust has settled. It also sustains other speedways at Mount Gambier and Avalon which piggyback off the Classic and run shows in the lead up. But more importantly it creates lasting bonds between people.

The national title, because it is rotated through the states and territories each year, can never build what the Classic has in terms of social fabric. Changing the Classic's date is akin to moving the Melbourne Cup from the first Tuesday in November.

Premier Speedway officials will no doubt do their best to persuade power brokers to change the national title's date. But they have an ace up their sleeve, a community, which stands ready to launch a campaign to protect a jewel in our events crown.

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