It has been almost a year since thieves took everything from Forbes Autosports Club and brought racing to a halt.
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Now, the club is ready to get back on track.
Volunteers were back at their club on the weekend, cleaning up and preparing for their first race meeting since their planned June 2016 one had to be cancelled.
In a series of break-ins in the middle of last year’s racing season, thieves took everything from the club.
From their water tank and pumps to the plastic cutlery and floor mats from the canteen.
The volunteer-run club was devastated and just couldn’t afford to replace everything that had been taken.
Nothing, says club spokesperson Haley Hope-Hodgetts, has ever been recovered.
But local businesses, families and community members have pitched in to get them the essentials again – along with some improved security to protect it – and the club members are now looking forward to racing at the end of this April.
“We’re cleaning up after the vandalism, replacing the tanks and guttering, bringing in a container,” Mrs Hope-Hodgetts said on Sunday.
“And reopening with a special event!”
The club is planning a double header meeting, with entertainment and meal on the Saturday night, on April 29 and 30.
The racing will start at 9am Saturday and Sunday, with competition for all classes including quad bike and sidecar.
Mrs Hope-Hodgetts says they’ve got entries from as far afield as Cobar, Broken Hill, the south coast and north coast.
The meeting has attracted great sponsorship, although more sponsors would be welcomed, and they’re able to offer some great prizes to riders.
“We’re hopeful we can come back with a bang,” Mrs Hope-Hodgetts said.
The racing season started a couple of weeks ago and locals travelled to Cowra for their first meeting, but they are are definitely looking forward to getting back on their home track.
“The track is in A1 condition and ready for racing,” Mrs Hope-Hodgetts said.
Mrs Hope-Hodgetts and the other parents thanked the businesses and Forbes Shire Council for their generosity and support after the break-ins.
“We want to say a big thank you to all the people who have donated and in any way helped out,” she said. “
