Tooradin Airfield owner Gary Morrison wants the little used runway to double as a legal drag racing venue. Picture: Stewart Chambers.
By Sarah Schwager
A BID for a legal drag racing venue in Tooradin has sparked a passionate debate.
Cranbourne West car enthusiast Rick Langoor and Tooradin Airfield owner Gary Morrison say they simply want to get drag racers off the streets onto somewhere safe such as the runway at Tooradin.
“I can’t believe there is even an argument about this,” Mr Langoor said. “This is a duty of care issue. We need to provide a safe venue for these kids.
“Everyone’s worried about what it’s going to cost. Well, what’s a life worth?”
The idea has hit problems before it has even got off the ground, with Casey Council suggesting it could never happen because the airfield is located in a green wedge zone.
Casey mayor Colin Butler said Sandown Park racecourse in Springvale was a much more appropriate venue.
“Sandown Park is the best option. It has got all the facilities there already,” he said.
“This has nothing to do with me living up the road (from Tooradin Airport) as some have suggested.
“The State Government is not in the ballpark of changing the zoning. They just wouldn’t support it.”
Mr Langoor said he also supported having Sandown Park as a drag racing venue.
“The racetrack was there long before the houses. Those residents have got to live with that.”
He said if both Tooradin and Sandown held an event once a month, there could be a space for people to go once a fortnight or more.
“We will be taking people off the public roads onto a private venue with emergency services, police and security all there to make sure nothing goes wrong,” Mr Langoor said.
“This is the same as any other sport. If you take the football ovals away, people will play on the street.”
Mr Morrison also wants the Tooradin Airfield used for an advanced driving school, with car shows and motorcycle track other options.
“Anyone can drive in a straight line but as soon as you turn hard you can skid,” he said.
He said general aviation was dying and so he had a runway that was empty most of the time.
“Every suburban road has got black marks and skids. The kids are bored. They’ve got nothing to do,” Mr Morrison said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera also supports the plan and last month sent a letter to council on behalf of Mr Langoor. He is now taking the issue to State Parliament.
Mr Perera said that, while the State Government’s hoon legislation was crucial, the introduction of a legal drag racing venue would go a long way in alleviating hoon driving and illegal drag racing in the City of Casey.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Kitchen of Cranbourne police said he supported any plan that could improve safety on the roads but that it was important the correct infrastructure was put in place.
“It would need a working party of police, emergency services and key stakeholders including local residents to have a fair say in what happens,” Sen Sgt Kitchen said.
“This sort of thing would bring a lot of outsiders which would help improve tourism. But it does have a big impact on our resources. At a local level we wouldn’t be able to cope alone.”
He said the idea was definitely still in its infancy and a lot of planning was needed.
Mr Langoor is planning on organising a rally at the Tooradin Airport in the next month or so to highlight the issue, possibly with a car show and coin donation to go to drought-affected farmers.
