Q. WHAT DO 4 ACES DRAG RACING WANT?

A. Drag Racing 4 days per year on Kempsey Airport. Drag events will be 1/8^th mile and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the national sanctioning bodies ANDRA and NSWDSR, as well as the requirements of CASSA,

Q. DOES THE KEMPSEY AERODRAME DEED ALLOW FOR DRAG RACING ON KEMPSEY AIRPORT?

A. Although the deed does not specifically state that Drag Racinig is allowable (just as it does not state that conducting ADR noise testing on 13 tonne busses is allowable, or that defensive driver training days are allowable – as conducted for NSW Police, Coca-cola, and various local high schools on the Kempsey Airport) it does fit within the guidelines issued by the Commonwealth in that the development application we have submitted is not applying to alter the use of the aerodrome, and it will not interfere with it operations as such. Our application makes provision for aerodrome operations and has detailed contingency plans in place to ensure it operations as an aerodrome on the days of our events is unhindered and certainly unrestricted.

Q. DON’T DRAG RACERS USE A SUBSTANCE FOR TRACTION THAT WILL DAMAGE THE TARMAC?

Yes, this is true – however not in the case of drag racing on an airstrip!! It seems there is some concern that we will damage the tarmac with a sticky substance often used in drag racing for traction called “VHT Trackbite traction compound”. THIS IS NOT THE CASE – NO TRACTION COMPOUNDS CAN BE USED LEGALLY ON AN AIRSTRIP. (Per CASSA, ANDRA & NSWDSR)

Q. DON’T DRAG CARS RUN WITH ‘SLICKS’?? THESE WILL LEAVE RUBBER ON THE TARMAC AND POSE A HAZZARD TO AIRCRAFT?

The three man tyres use on a drag strip are; street tyres, drag radials and slicks. Most PROFESSIONAL drag racers prefer Drag Radials or Slicks, however drag racing n Kempsey – we are not really talking professional. Most racers will be using either street tyres or Drag Radials.

Street Radials are not designed for burnouts as it superheats them and thereby provides poor traction, unlike slicks and a few drag radials that put rubber down. The aim of drag racing is naturally to finish first – burnouts (laying rubber) do not aid this end aim. Sure the racers warm the tyres at the start of a race with what is called a “rolling burnout” – a moving fast rotation of the tyre generally aided by water on the surface of the strip – however down the strip itself, burnouts are generally out of the question.

In any case, Four Aces Drag Racing Club Inc intends to expressly prohibit rogue burnouts, the individual responsible for one will be removed from the event. Four Aces Drag Racing Club Inc intends to be very responsible when it comes to protecting this valuable community asset of Kempsey Airport.

Q. WONT THE AIRPORT BE CLOSED ON THE DAYS THE CLUB WANTS TO DRAG RACE?

Absolutely NOT! Naturally a NOTAM will be issued for the day in accordance with the requirements of CASSA, “joy flights” may be restricted, however emergency services, and/or ‘planes in trouble’ will be able to land in the usual way. Just the same as when Kempsey Shire Council hires out the facility to other organizations to conduct events other than aerodrome activities, our Drag Events will run in much the same way. A communications expert – an employee of the Kempsey Shire Council – paid for by the Four Aces Drag Racing Club Inc will be on site and in communication on the day to advise of any landings planned or unplanned (emergency). Planes will still be able to land as our Club has contingencies in place for halting racing – racing can come to a complete stop and the runway clearer in less than 90 seconds – this is easy given that no one has access to the strip aside from the drag racers themselves (and the applicable on site emergency services). In any case, it seems for any landings necessary there will be ample warning to halt racing – and thus no interfearance with the operations of the aerodrome.

Q. BUT WONT ACCESS BE RESTRICTED BY CURRENT TENNANTS OF THE AERODROME?

NO! Our event will not be held in the area of the aerodrome currently occupied by paying tenants of the facility. We have specifically planned to keep spectators and participants well away from this area so as to not interfere with these operations.

GENERAL

Some in our community are concerned that if Kempsey Shire Council approve our application to Drag Race on Kempsey Airport that it will be a step toward closure of the facility. In our opinion, having fully researched this opportunity, drag racing on Kempsey airport will far from contribute to the closure of the facility it will actually aid in its continued operation – and even assist in returning its operation to profitability. The benefits are extensive – including Four Aces Drag Racing making financial contribution to Kempsey Shire Council for the hire of the facility, Four Aces Drag Racing Club Inc contributing to the maintenance of the facility, massive influx of visitors to the Shire – Drag racers and their family and friends will come from all over the state – and from interstate to race at our facility. Think about it for a moment, these people will need to stay somewhere, they will need to eat somewhere… etc… they will come back time and time again and spend money on our town, and enjoy the wonderful things our Valley has to offer. We have estimated as a minimum that the input to Kempsey PER event will be in the vicinity of $280,000 – that is over $1 million per year!!