SPECIAL BULLETIN REGARDING COVID-19 VIRUS AND WILLOWBANK RACEWAY

19 March 2020

As Australians, we are now in unchartered territory with the declared Pandemic, due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, and the government recommendations around public mass gatherings and social distancing. Willowbank Raceway, like many other sporting and entertainment venues, will be severely impacted financially during this period.

The Raceway has regretfully announced that the Santo’s Super Thunder Championship Drag Racing event scheduled for Good Friday, April 10 has been cancelled due to the threat posed by the Covid-19 virus. Raceway President, Tony Wedlock, said “We have been working closely with 400 Thunder and IHRA Australia and while we hate to cancel this tremendous event, the health and safety of our patrons, competitors and volunteer officials is paramount. “

We haves already seen the postponement of the CMC Rocks music festival, scheduled for this weekend and now with the cancellation of the Santos Super Thunder we have lost vital sources of revenue for the venue.

The current situation with Covid-19 is changing virtually by the hour but we are looking to continue with events that meet the recommendations of government health authorities to minimise the spread of the virus and hope for everyone’s sake the current situation can be brought under control as quickly as possible.

Willowbank Raceway now finds itself in a unique position in its 35 year history as we balance of the health and safety of our patrons, volunteers and staff while working to keep a level of racing activity happening and stay financially viable during this uncertain period. In response to this, the venue has implemented a carefully selected calendar of events to be offered across the March and April 2020 period before hopefully resuming our normal schedule. The short term limited program will include events like QDRC, Street Series, Diesel Assault and Racer Test Days.

In order to meet current public health policy, these events will be only available for advanced online pre-entry for competitors and associated family/crew only with no public spectator ticketing or on day entries available. This has to be done to ensure we have the minimum number of entrants, to make these events financially viable, as well as to monitor and control the number of persons in the venue for each event.

This period will also see reduced staffing levels at the venue and as such we ask that everyone please be patient and respectful in dealing with our office during this period. At no time will competitor safety levels be comprised during this period as a result of this measure.

Please visit our website for details of our short term special calendar. Details of how to enter, and entry cut off periods, and terms and conditions can all be found on the relevant event pages. Also regularly check in to our Facebook page for updates. The Willowbank Raceway family has a proud history of pulling together during difficult periods, to protect the future of this fiercely independent venue, and we ask that our very loyal competitor and fan base stays safe and keeps on supporting the venue during this period.

For event specific information go to https://www.willowbankraceway.com.au/

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