Quotes from Motorvate Melbourne: Quote: Now is the time for you all to contact your local MP and ask them if they support the Melbourne ANDRA Drag Racing Proposal. If you live in a marginal seat that is labor, you are in a position of great power. Ask your MP to tell you what his/her position is because you and all your friends in that electorate are considering how they will vote. Quote: A few racers have arranged meetings with MP's and those appear to have gone well. More are meeting soon. As Parliament is not sitting right now, it's a good time to reach them at their electorate offices. Please don't stand by and watch, make sure sure you take action and ask your MP if they are prepared to back the AND...RA Melbourne Drag Racing Venue proposal. The window for action is now...... Motorvate Melbourne,... Your Voice ,... Your Venue. Some responses from supporters: Quote: Tim Holding April 15 at 3:28pm Report Dear Darren I would like to thank you for the invitation to attend the Top Fuel Dragster event taking place on Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 April, 2010. Unfortunately I am unable to attend due to prior commitments. Kind regards Tim Holding Quote: Craig Mirtschin I have met with my local member Judith Graley this afternoon, she is very supportive and will be speaking with James Merlino, John Brumby and Tim Pallis who she feels would be a great adversary to have in our corner. I have sent an email off to Tim this afternoon advising of my meeting with Judith and to see if I can't speak with him as well. I've contacted my local member asking for his support for the track. I got a brief reply which was that he aknowledged my email and would reply in detail shortly. I'm eager to see his opinion. In the letter I mentioned a few things like Motorvate Melbourne, the support it had, the need for a new safe track, driver education etc. Find who your local MP is right HERE (http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/find-your-local-mp.htm) Don't sit there and read it all... ACT NOW. Brett ---------- Post added 20-04-10 at 21:28 ---------- More replies from local MP's and supporters: Quote: "David, the Oakleigh incident was a disgrace. However, i do not think that it hinders in the long term the ambitions of ANDRA to see a professional drag racing strip built in Victoria. I think the big issue is finding the funding to build such a venue give...n all the pressures on the State budget. But i know the government is looking at it. Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. regards, Rob" Rob Hudson Member for Bentleigh Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and for the Arts 379 Centre RoadBentleigh, 3204 Ph: (03) 9557-6661Fax: (03) 9557-8646 Quote: I have finally got through the James Merlino, trying to set up a meeting with him to have a face to face chat. I'll see if i can get his personal opinion on this, and i'll also ask him how many postcards he's recieved. Quote: Dear Mr Gladman, I understand that you will be receiving a response from Minister Merlino shortly. Yours sincerely Dr Michelle Gallen Manager, State Facilities Major Projects Group Sport and Recreation Victoria Department of Planning andCommunity Development"

good stuff. regardless of whether it is built because of this or what happens, even getting responses and acknowledgment is great.

The response I got... Quote: > Thank you for your recent email regarding a new drag racing venue in > Victoria. > > The Victorian Government has investigated the feasibility of establishing a > new drag racing facility in Victoria to inform the Government on various > factors, including: > • the likely demand for such a facility; > • the planning considerations and environmental site analysis of the > proposed sites; > • the financial and social considerations of a new drag racing venue; > > There are currently 284 drag racing members in Victoria. Construction of a > new stand-alone drag racing facility is estimated at costing up to $60 > million and acquiring an appropriate site will be very difficult, and > subject to significant environmental considerations. > > The Government is currently considering a range of presented options for > drag racing, including upgrading existing facilities to meet international > standard. As you may be aware Victoria already currently has 7 drag racing > facilities right across the state. These facilities are used every week for > both serious drag racers and street drags. > > It is important to note that the peak body for motorsport in Australia, > CAMS, has identified multipurpose facilities as its priority for the sport. > > The Government will continue to work with drag racing organisations as well > as the peak body for motorsport in Australia, CAMS on the future of the > sport in Victoria. > > Yours sincerely > > Dr Alistair Harkness MP > State Member for Frankston I knew this was a generic reply because I've seen about 10 others get the word for word reply like mine... My response back... Quote: appreciate your reply. However, there are not 7 drag racing facilities in Victoria, nor are they run weekly - none are. Old airfield runways are hardly a facility. CAMS is not the sports peak body, ANDRA is and CAMS aknowledge this. There are more than 284 drag racing members in Victoria - there are over 200 per fortnight attending Calder Park at the moment, most of whom only race a few times per year. The number of people who drag race at these venue's is well into the thousands, not to mention the amount of spectators who attend. I was hoping for your personal opinion on the topic, not a generic reply sent out to anyone with a question regarding drag racing. Hopefully I get a better response from the other team. Thanks,

Good to see people are getting into it! Shame about the response i guess but it is something, good reply though..the only way these clowns will take notice is how many people will vote for them..or not! we need to show them the numbers!!

I requested his opinion and response because I want my vote to count. If someone supports my sport and the need for change, I'll vote for them. They're in overdrive this year because of the elections.