AFTER three years of renovations, the Myrtleford Speedway is ready for racing to return to the track this Saturday, with a Ride-On Mower race meeting.
In order to remain open and to be utilised as an improved venue at the Myrtleford Showgrounds into the future, Myrtleford Speedway Club president Glen Walch and other committee members have been working to update the safety standards and design of their local track.
"This will be our first proper meeting for three years after the renovations," Mr Walch said.
"We're expecting around 25 competitors from South Australia to take part in the race day.
"We are primarily a motorbike and sidecar club, but we also race ride-on mowers in events.
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"The rides look like your average ride-on lawn mower, but underneath they have high-powered motors to transform them into racing vehicles."
At the moment, club members are busy with the final clean-up before the race.
"One of the next steps will be adding rubber cushioning in front of the panels in line with safety standards," Mr Walch said.
"Adding lights will be our next project, so the area can be used for longer hours and utilised by other clubs, such as the local horse club and hot rod club.
"Gates into the track have to be on a straight side, not on a corner.
"So we've moved the entrance and replaced the old gate with concrete panels and fabricated a new gate to replace the warped previous one.
"We plan to install triple the amount of seating to accommodate a boosted audience capacity, around two thirds of the track.
"The canteen will be right behind the audience, near the gate, for their convenience, providing all your canteen staples: pies, pasties, chips, soft drinks, etc."
After the upgrades, the speedway could host a number of local school events and even function as a potential concert venue at the showgrounds.
"I am currently building a mower," driver of the #21 'Fireball', Chris Hume said.
"Once we hold more racing events here, I will be working in the pits, making sure the vehicles are up to scratch."
Racer of the black #909, Wyatt Witherow, has been racing ride-on mowers for about six years now.
"My Dad asked, 'do you want to learn mower-racing?' and I thought I'd give it a shot," Wyatt said.
"It was probably his angle to get me more interested to mow the lawn at home.
"I've got dirt bikes as well, which I only ride for fun, I don't compete with them.
"I plan to attend other interstate racing events in the future."
Wyatt's Dad, Scott Witherow, said going to racing events was a way of spending a good day out with his sons.
"We've been in the club for six years now and we try to get to as many events as we can," he said.
"Wyatt, my other son, Logan and I race three mowers in competitions usually.
"If we don't have three because one has broken down, we've been known to race two mowers in three races.
"I cannot wait for the Ride-On Mower event in Myrtleford.
"We've got another big event coming up next year on ANZAC weekend, the Victorian Titles Competition.
"Six weeks after that, the Australian Championships will be held in South Australia."
The Myrtleford Speedway Ride-On Mowers race will be held this Saturday, September 14 at 10am.
Entry is open to the public with a gold coin donation.
"It'll be a great family day out," Mr Walch said.
"Bring your kids along, sit up there on the hill and enjoy the show."
