Just ahead of the Tennant Creek Speedway’s opening race weekend, committee members turned up for a meeting yesterday to be greeted by utter devastation.

Speedway Committee Secretary Di Sawyers was the first to turn up for the meeting around 4.45pm to discover bins pushed over from near the canteen into the pits, and smoke pouring from the canteen door. Vandals had busted the door half open, revealing the timber frame and set it alight.

The police and firies were immediately called. “We are so close to opening night, and it’s a double feature,” she said.

“We have drivers coming up from Alice, and this near on stopped the whole event happening.

“This is just devastating to all past and present speedway committee members who helped get our Club to where it is now and allow motor enthusiasts somewhere to go.”

Di believes the young vandals continually target the Speedway Club because they are undisturbed being three kilometres from town.

“They think there’s something in the canteen, but after multiple break-ins we take everything out,” she said.

“The first time they smashed our PA system, and we have one on loan because the Club can’t afford to replace it.

“If it wasn’t for our long-time sponsors and supporters we couldn’t survive – we even had a junior racer donate her winnings to help us buy a new fridge.

“It’s just disgusting and heartbreaking for all our members, volunteers and racers.

“It costs us $3,500 just for the ambulance on race days, and add to that the track insurance and permit costs. The cost of repairs makes it really difficult.

“How much longer can our sponsors and supporters continue to help us when they themselves are targeted by these youths?”

Di thanked the local police and firies for their quick attendance to the scene and to the many sponsors and supporters for keeping them afloat during the constant attacks on the venue.

“We need to do something because these little f**ks are just running amok.”

To help give much-needed support to the Speedway Club, come along to the May Day Weekend tomorrow and Sunday nights from 6pm to watch all the action.

There will be a Junior Sedan team challenge, a Street Stocks 30-Lapper and NT Sedan 30-Lapper.

Tickets are $35 for a family, $15 per adult, $10 per 12-16 year old, with kids under 12 free. The venue is cash only. Bar and canteen are available. 

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 28 April 2023.