Oakey will experience life in the fast lane when it stages its first Street Sprint meeting in May 2009.

After many months of discussion and planning, the Oakey Street Sprint has been officially sanctioned by the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS).

Jondaryan Shire Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Oakey Street Sprint Organising Committee, Ian Orford, said the event would be a major boost for Darling Downs tourism.

“Street Sprint events are the fastest growing form of motorsport in Australia and they are as thrilling to watch as they are to compete in,” Councillor Orford said.

“The event involves one car at a time racing against the clock on a very testing course of up to 900 metres.

“Each competitor will have two runs and those with the best times win. The event is open to a wide range of vehicles and drivers who can obtain a special ‘day licence’ from CAMS for the event.”

The Oakey course will start in Desmond Lane behind the RSL Club, before turning a tight right into McDonald Street in front of the Jondaryan Shire Council Cultural Centre, and through a manmade chicane to the junction of York Street. Then it’s back to the other end of McDonald Street before finishing in York Street.

The cars will travel back to a pit area in Bridge Street before their second run.

“The challenging course will really test the driver’s skills and provide an exciting experience for spectators, whether they are dedicated fans or new to the sport,” Councillor Orford said.

“The Street Sprint events – which begin with CAMS’ scrutineering of the cars on Friday 8 May and continue over the weekend of the 9th and 10th - will be supported by an entertainment program including a parade on the Friday night, a street party on the Saturday night, and related exhibitions, displays and retailing.

“Motorsport events require meticulous planning. Tourism Jondaryan has already been working on this proposal for two years and has examined some of Australia’s best street sprints, particularly the annual Speed on Tweed and the Leyburn Sprints, to ensure Oakey’s event is successful.”

Councillor Orford said the idea for the event came from local motorsport enthusiast Geoff Achilles who discussed it with Tourism Jondaryan Manager John Osborne in August 2006.

Mr Osborne is an experienced regional motorsport organiser, having been involved in similar events in Roma and during his employment with Tourism Queensland.

“Mr Osborne put the proposal to Council earlier this year,” Councillor Orford said.

“Then he and two other motorsport enthusiasts door-knocked every resident along the proposed sprint route, explaining the event and its implications.

“The response they received was overwhelmingly positive – some residents even wanted the event staged earlier than 2009 – and the Jondaryan Shire Council approved the Oakey Street Sprint, subject to CAMS regulations being met.”

CAMS is the governing body for Australian motorsport and its sanction is required for an event to receive a Police permit. CAMS officials and regional track inspectors inspected the proposed course several times and are currently preparing documentation specifying regulations and safety requirements.

“Once we got the nod from CAMS, our next major challenge was to source the hundreds of tyre and concrete barriers required,” Councillor Orford said.

“A specific working committee was established to deal with these issues. The major hurdle was the 400 concrete barriers required – a cost that could have jeopardised the whole project.

“Thankfully, Wagners Concrete came to our rescue and the event could proceed. The Organising Committee and Council are very grateful to Wagners for their magnificent support of this important event.”

Councillor Orford said the aim was to grow the event to eventually attract up to 7,000 people to Oakey for a weekend of exciting motorsport.

“Events like the Oakey Street Sprint bring visitors from all over Australia to the region’s motels, pubs, caravan parks, camping grounds, shops, cafés, service stations ... the list goes on and the whole community benefits,” he said.

“We will be maximising the event’s appeal with a full entertainment program and are currently investigating options for a suitable exhibition to be staged along with the motorsport component.

“CAMS officials will train local motorsport fans in official duties so we eventually have own qualified and experienced team of fire and flag marshals and other officials to run the event.

“This is not a once-off event, but one we are building for a long future in Oakey.”

CAMS Queensland State Council Chairman Paul Overell congratulated Tourism Jondaryan on its progress in creating the inaugural Oakey Street Sprint.

“It’s an event designed to test the acceleration, braking and general manoeuvrability of the competing vehicles and the skill and judgement of the driver,” he said.

“Street Sprints conducted in other regional towns have become a huge success for competitors, officials, spectators and stall operators who unanimously praise the events.

“It is significant that competitors travel from afar in order to compete. Spectators enjoy the on-track action as much as the competitors and the events become a great weekend for everyone to enjoy.

“The Oakey event is being designed to be competitor-friendly and entertaining for both competitors and spectators and, on the social side, the event will be a wonderful opportunity to mix with fellow motorsport enthusiasts.

“The team putting this event together promise a great weekend.”