Saving York Raceway
Discussion
After 18 months of negotiations with the land-owner at Melbourne Airfield, York Raceway has still not reached agreeable terms and the York Raceway management team now feel that they are not able to move forward in such a way which will see the promotion of a full season of racing in 2019. As such, York Raceway now considers it appropriate to refund all sponsorships and donations at this time. The PDRC (custodians of all monies donated by individuals) have agreed they will also be returning donations at this point. All monies raised through online crowd funding will be donated to drag racing related charities as previously outlined.
York Raceway’s solicitors have been engaged in negotiating terms for a lease which would ensure that drag racing continues at Melbourne Airfield for the next 10 years. Although this has proved problematic, York Raceway are in receipt a Letter of Intent from the land-owners stating ‘we have provisions within our lease with TMD Friction UK Ltd. to grant a sub-lease for the use of Melbourne Airfield as a drag racing venue.’ And that ‘We believe in the future of drag racing in the UK and that Melbourne Airfield can play a vital part of that future.’ Negotiations with potential large investors are ongoing and the management at York Raceway remain confident that drag racing will return to Melbourne airfield, just not within the timescales which were initially indicated.
Chris Murty, Track Manager for York Raceway said “We would like to thank everyone that has supported us in the last 18months; those who have worked with us giving their time and who have been and remain committed to securing drag racing at Melbourne in the future, all those people who donated what they could no matter how big or small, and all of our sponsors for their commitment to York Raceway and drag racing in the UK”. York Raceway is sponsored by:
ADImages, ADT Fabrication Services, Anderson Hydraulics, Aqua Detailing, Behemoth Enterprises, Blacks Solicitors LLP, CRD Performance, Darkside Developments, Elysion Ltd, Engine Data Analysis, Evil Tuning, G-Rperformance, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools Goole & York, Preston’s Dairies, PCG engineering services ltd, Straightliners Ltd, Stuart Sports and Performance, Thames Cryogenics Ltd, The Turbo Shop, The Wood Floor Co, Willis Performance And Youhill Machinery Ltd.
York Raceway’s solicitors have been engaged in negotiating terms for a lease which would ensure that drag racing continues at Melbourne Airfield for the next 10 years. Although this has proved problematic, York Raceway are in receipt a Letter of Intent from the land-owners stating ‘we have provisions within our lease with TMD Friction UK Ltd. to grant a sub-lease for the use of Melbourne Airfield as a drag racing venue.’ And that ‘We believe in the future of drag racing in the UK and that Melbourne Airfield can play a vital part of that future.’ Negotiations with potential large investors are ongoing and the management at York Raceway remain confident that drag racing will return to Melbourne airfield, just not within the timescales which were initially indicated.
Chris Murty, Track Manager for York Raceway said “We would like to thank everyone that has supported us in the last 18months; those who have worked with us giving their time and who have been and remain committed to securing drag racing at Melbourne in the future, all those people who donated what they could no matter how big or small, and all of our sponsors for their commitment to York Raceway and drag racing in the UK”. York Raceway is sponsored by:
ADImages, ADT Fabrication Services, Anderson Hydraulics, Aqua Detailing, Behemoth Enterprises, Blacks Solicitors LLP, CRD Performance, Darkside Developments, Elysion Ltd, Engine Data Analysis, Evil Tuning, G-Rperformance, Lucas Oil, Mac Tools Goole & York, Preston’s Dairies, PCG engineering services ltd, Straightliners Ltd, Stuart Sports and Performance, Thames Cryogenics Ltd, The Turbo Shop, The Wood Floor Co, Willis Performance And Youhill Machinery Ltd.
This was recently posted on one of the rally forums
"Three one-day rallies per year is the limit of the agreement. The rallying is only a secondary and minor use for the venue.
It now has the smoothest one-mile strip of tarmac in the UK down the middle of it - brake testing for every type of car, super or not. This has to be available 5 days a week (and will not be used by the stages)."
"Three one-day rallies per year is the limit of the agreement. The rallying is only a secondary and minor use for the venue.
It now has the smoothest one-mile strip of tarmac in the UK down the middle of it - brake testing for every type of car, super or not. This has to be available 5 days a week (and will not be used by the stages)."
Possibly unsuitable but it's worth mentioning . RAF Dishforth is closed and Linton on Ouse is closing . Both may have potential. And yes, it's always easy to come up with reasons why it might be difficult , but Dishforth especially is fairly distant from other communities and is well served by the A1 and the A6055, (the old A1 ) .
And it's about 160 miles closer to me than the Pod too...
And it's about 160 miles closer to me than the Pod too...
Straightliners have just announced an event at York Raceway on 30th June.
Single lane, 1/8th Mile, and running in the opposite direction to "normal".
It's possibly a start of something to get York raceway back up and running ......... it needs support though, so if you ever went, go; if you ever enjoyed it, go; if you want to see York saved, go; if you want more than one drag racing venue to survive in the UK, GO!!!!
I'll be there as been going to York Raceway since the 80s, and it's my "local" drag strip ....... I want it to survive, and until I win Euromillions and save it myself, I'll support anyone who is trying
Single lane, 1/8th Mile, and running in the opposite direction to "normal".
It's possibly a start of something to get York raceway back up and running ......... it needs support though, so if you ever went, go; if you ever enjoyed it, go; if you want to see York saved, go; if you want more than one drag racing venue to survive in the UK, GO!!!!
I'll be there as been going to York Raceway since the 80s, and it's my "local" drag strip ....... I want it to survive, and until I win Euromillions and save it myself, I'll support anyone who is trying
martynrich67 said:
Straightliners have just announced an event at York Raceway on 30th June.
Single lane, 1/8th Mile, and running in the opposite direction to "normal".
It's possibly a start of something to get York raceway back up and running ......... it needs support though, so if you ever went, go; if you ever enjoyed it, go; if you want to see York saved, go; if you want more than one drag racing venue to survive in the UK, GO!!!!
I'll be there as been going to York Raceway since the 80s, and it's my "local" drag strip ....... I want it to survive, and until I win Euromillions and save it myself, I'll support anyone who is trying
From looking at the reaction to posts on facebook and talking to people at the pod this weekend it looks like this 'small' event is going to draw a lot of interest especially from the old regular racers. As has been said I think it will make for a great reunion and the start of making York great again.Single lane, 1/8th Mile, and running in the opposite direction to "normal".
It's possibly a start of something to get York raceway back up and running ......... it needs support though, so if you ever went, go; if you ever enjoyed it, go; if you want to see York saved, go; if you want more than one drag racing venue to survive in the UK, GO!!!!
I'll be there as been going to York Raceway since the 80s, and it's my "local" drag strip ....... I want it to survive, and until I win Euromillions and save it myself, I'll support anyone who is trying
Looking forward to it already
Now put back to 3/4 August - when I fear I am already committed elsewhere . But I hope it goes well, and gets the support it deserves .
Circuit racing is my first love but the theatre of the drag strip has always captivated me - and it's a bloody long drive from N Yorkshire to the Pod ...
Circuit racing is my first love but the theatre of the drag strip has always captivated me - and it's a bloody long drive from N Yorkshire to the Pod ...
Total loss said:
But 'Melbourne Raceway' has risen to replace it 
thanks to the Straightliners getting it up and running.
Ive met Trevor Duckworth a number of times. A true gent and a complete enthusiast regarding motorsport. He puts a great deal of time and effort into the straightliner events. thanks to the Straightliners getting it up and running.It will be interesting to see how this all works for the new Melbourne raceway regarding pricing as overheads are high for insurance and licencing so gate prices need to be fair but I foresee costs for racing may be a fair bit higher than we were used to paying at York.
I hope this doesn't put too many racers off as I know Trevor will put all profits back into making the track great again.
Drumroll said:
From what I have seen it went well. They used the "edge" of the runway next to the "new" test track, hence the single runs.
It was the original left lane that was used. Little grip to start with but got better from every run and people were running 5 second 1/8ths by the end of the weekend.Trevor and the straightliner team brought barriers, timing equipment, portaloos and even a 180 seat grandstand. Considering the weekend clashed with the Mopar's at the pod the turnout of race cars was diverse and impressive. Over 100 cars and bikes took to the track. The whole weekend was fantastic. Not a bad word was said and the whole vibe was positive and hopeful for the future.
We hope to hear news soon of a long term lease, then the work will begin to raise the funds and lay a 2 lane 1/8th mile track to the right of the mintex test surface. This will involve removing the old viewing banking, scraping and laying a new surface properly with a view to extending to a full quarter mile at a later date.
The in road is already 100 times better than it ever was and will be finished off and Trevor promised to tarmac the whole pit area once the track is laid.
I for one am very excited for the future of Melbourne Raceway under the new management. Roll on 2020!
Fundraising is now up to nearly £60,000. There's a link here with the option to donate if anyone is interested https://straightliners.events/index.php/events/mot...
markbaker13 said:
Fundraising is now up to nearly £60,000. There's a link here with the option to donate if anyone is interested https://straightliners.events/index.php/events/mot...
We are now within reach of the total at over £91000.Please help us bring back drag racing in the North. Donate if you can or you can contact myself for to buy T shirts, Hoodies, Zoodies or stickers. Ive raised over £2000 from sales already. All profits go direct to the fund.
Thought I would update this, with great news as work has now started on bringing the raceway back (with 2 lanes). Still more funds to be raised but I can't wait to be back on track (in my cruddy Seat!!)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdw1LegpxKEd5iI5...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIdw1LegpxKEd5iI5...
Edited by long time lurker on Saturday 16th May 15:38
Delighted to hear it - it is only an hour away and I've spent many happy days there , For the time being , I am getting my strip fixes on YouTube - and I can highly recommend the wonderful South East Gassers stuff, drag racing 67 style . That is South East as in Carolina and Georgia , not Kent or Essex of course .... .
A little update.
The old banking to the right of the old track has been removed to make way for the ne 12 m wide strip. The soil has been used to create a noise bund to help minimise noise complaints.
The new track work begins In a few weeks scraping the runway surface and making any repairs then a quality surface is to be laid over 500m. This will allow for 1/8th mile racing initially and when further funds allow further tarmac will be laid for run off to allow 1/4 mile racing.
A fantastic effort from Trevor and the Straightliners crew, a group of regular racers and spectators have raised the funds but we are calling to those that pledged. Understandably some are effected financially by corona virus. The track IS getting done but a last push with fundraising will make Melbourne the best its ever been.
Fingers crossed we all get to go racing there sooner rather than later. See you all there.
The old banking to the right of the old track has been removed to make way for the ne 12 m wide strip. The soil has been used to create a noise bund to help minimise noise complaints.
The new track work begins In a few weeks scraping the runway surface and making any repairs then a quality surface is to be laid over 500m. This will allow for 1/8th mile racing initially and when further funds allow further tarmac will be laid for run off to allow 1/4 mile racing.
A fantastic effort from Trevor and the Straightliners crew, a group of regular racers and spectators have raised the funds but we are calling to those that pledged. Understandably some are effected financially by corona virus. The track IS getting done but a last push with fundraising will make Melbourne the best its ever been.
Fingers crossed we all get to go racing there sooner rather than later. See you all there.
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