January 22nd 2002

A television news report broadcast on Channel Ten on Monday January 22nd erroneously reported that Willowbank Raceway was going to cease operations after September of this year due to Public Liability

Insurance issues. This is certainly not the case. The Raceway is trading well and in fact attracted a crowd of 20,048 people to it’s Global Info-Links Australian Drag Racing Nationals last weekend.

Willowbank Raceway has P.L.I. in place for the current season through the Australian National Drag Racing Association. Before the completion of this season a new policy will be negotiated for next season which is the normal practice.

Along with most other organizations and businesses in Australia, Willowbank Raceway has faced steep rises in the cost of Public Liability Insurance. These costs have unfortunately had to be passed on to the paying public. The point being made in the interview was that unless the Federal and State Governments act soon to curb rapidly escalating personal injury payouts and no win no pay legal practices, the time could come when it won’t be possible to secure insurance for motor sport thereby bringing the industry to a halt. The journalist then added her own spin on the story after the interview was completed.

The raceway congratulates the Queensland Events Corporation for mounting a survey into the affects of P.L.I. on events in the state and calls upon all governments to act quickly to find a solution to the biggest threat to the future of motor sport in particular and events in general.

We apologise if the Ten News report caused any concern to our competitors, sponsors and patrons.

Rob Oberg.