Clint Lee and Matt Mueller say that closing down events like the Easternats could see an increase in illegal street races.
By Melissa Meehan
“EASTERNATS isn’t just for hoons.”
Cranbourne resident and self-proclaimed car enthusiast Clint Lee says he is disappointed the event will no longer be held at Sandown.
“I’ve been going there for the past three or four years,” Mr Lee said.
“It really isn’t about hoons; it’s about the social element.
“People can show off their cars, new paint jobs and radios, things like that.”
His friend Matt Mueller agreed.
“I’ve made a lot of friends there too,” he said.
“We are going to fight against it.
“That’s why we are joining groups on Facebook and other websites – to let people know that we’re not just a group of hoons wanting to cause trouble.”
Both said they would have to make the long drive to Calder Park or Phillip Island to take part in legal drag racing and similar meets.
“It (Sandown) was the only place this side of the city,” Mr Lee said.
“Closing it down might push some of the drivers on to the streets, illegal drags.”
Mr Mueller said he was worried that some would take their frustration out on the streets.
“If legal off-street drags are running it stops people from going out to illegal drags on a Thursday night,” he said.
“It is a safety issue.”
In light of recent accidents it was important that drivers had the opportunities to have an outlet, Mr Lee said.
“It isn’t just about hoon drivers who want to do burn-outs,” he said.
“It is a chance for people with similar interests to get together and show off what they have.”
Mr Lee said there was also an educational element to events like Easternats.
“People can see others doing the right thing,” he said.
“Doing their tricks in a safe setting, and to be honest, not that many idiots come down.”
Last month Melbourne Racing Club announced they had dropped the controversial Easternats Auto Spectacular event.
The MRC released a statement that they had “ended its relationship” with event promoted Jon Davison for reasons they would not disclose.
The annual event, which attracted more that 25,000 people to Sandown International Raceway each year over the Easter weekend, held the title of Australia’s most successful street machine event. But this year the City of Greater Dandenong gave out over $7000 worth of fines to the promoter for breaching planning permit conditions.
