The future of Sandown’s Easternats (main picture) hangs in the balance because a riot in Noble Park last week (pictures on right) was linked to illegal drag racing.By Shaun Inguanzo
ONE OF Sandown’s premier motorsport events could be burnt out permanently under Greater Dandenong Council’s new zero-tolerance approach to hooning.
The Easternats event – famed for its legal burnout and drag racing events across Easter weekend each year – is facing the axe.
City of Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie said the council did not want to be tagged with hoon behaviour after a riot in Noble Park on Saturday when police attempted to break up an illegal drag racing event.
Police were outnumbered by the crowd of more than 1000 spectators when they tried to disperse the mob about 1am.
Up to 50 police were pounded with bottles and rocks as rioters smashed and destroyed the interior of a Blockbuster video store, and damaged other businesses including Retravision and a pizza shop.
Mr Bennie told Star the council would be ‘reluctant’ to renew a permit to allow the Easternats to continue in a bid to cleanse Greater Dandenong of its hoon image.
“Under the current circumstances, council would not be keen to be seen supporting or assisting such activities by facilitating further action at Sandown,” he said.
“Yes, the Easternats exists and has a permit, but the council would be extremely cautious beyond current approvals.”
Mr Bennie played down arguments that a legal drag race event would stop hoons using the city’s streets.
“I think the recent behaviour demonstrated in Noble Park shows (the hoons) are not deserving of any accommodation for their needs,” he said.
But the Easternats event has seven years left on its permit, according to promoter Jon Davison. A disappointed Mr Davison told Star the council was taking the wrong approach, and instead suggested it add a second similar event to Sandown’s calendar during October or November.
“We want people to be hoons at Sandown and citizens on our roads,” he said.
“I don’t believe a long-term draconian measure by police is the answer (to hoon problems).
“It will curb some of it, but the people have got to have a legal place to express themselves.”
