Forbes Autosports Club is back on track this weekend – a year after racing was shut down by thieves who cleaned out the local club.
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The club is anticipating an unprecedented weekend with a double-header booked and more than 150 entrants expected to be part of the two days of racing.
Committee member Hayley Hope-Hodgetts says visitors are “coming from everywhere” for this weekend’s event.
“We have got riders coming from Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, a lot coming from Newcastle, Canberra,” she said.
“We have a lot of people camping but also a lot of people staying in town for the weekend.
“A lot of people – probably the majority – haven’t competed here before.”
And while the offer of prize money and a two-day event is a drawcard for visitors, many of them are coming to support the Forbes club as it gets back on its feet.
“We are running this as a sort of fundraiser, so a lot of the other clubs are coming to support us,” Mrs Hope-Hodgetts said.
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 has ever been recovered.
It has been an enormous effort to get the club and track ready to race again, with many hours put in by volunteer, families and committee members.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped us get this far,” Mrs Hope-Hodgetts said.
That includes lots of businesses who have come on board with sponsorship as well as businesses and individuals or families who have made significant donations of equipment the club can’t function without.
As far as racing goes, there is plenty of space for spectators, a full canteen and you can expect to see some great action on track all weekend.
There are classes for racing from four-year-olds through to the over-35s and over-45s.
“The senior classes will be strongly contested, there are a lot of ladies coming to compete too,” Mrs Hope-Hodgetts said.
“We are pretty excited, we just hope the rain has gone for now. A bit of rain on Friday won’t hurt but we don’t want any on the weekend.
Sign-on is from 7am Saturday and racing will be on from about 9.30am to 3.30pm Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sunday.
Saturday will see three rounds of dirt track racing, with three rounds of long-track (on the oval track) to be run on Sunday.
Forbes rider and Australian title-holder Tom Drane, 11, is looking forward to racing on his home track again.
Seven-year-old Beau Bailey will be another local to watch.
There will be plenty of local competitors in the senior events as well, expect those to be keenly contested.
For more information go to www.forbesautosportsclub.com or forbesauto sportsclub on Facebook.