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The Central Australian Drag Racing Association Was formed in Alice Springs in 1992 in response to a spate of illegal drag racing and the very real possibility of serious injury or death. A steering committee was appointed and a search for a suitable site was undertaken.
Temporary access to the 17/35 runway at the old 8 mile aerodrome was granted and with a lot of effort from volunteers Armco barriers and grandstands etc were constructed. We also had Ravenswood dragstrip in W.A donate their old timing system which we had Richard Williamson of Comspec modify to suit our needs.
The first 1/8th mile drag racing in Alice Springs took place on Sunday May 30th 1993 and took place in front of a curious crowd of 2000. All equipment had to be erected before racing and removed afterwards so it was a long day for the volunteers, many who were racers themselves.
Some of the highlights included the first ever pass by a Nitro funny car in the NT. The Nitro Harley of Brett Stevens, as well as Kerry Ellis on his record holding motorbike, and the visit by both Victor Bray and Brett Stevens in their Top Doorslammers.
We also received great support from racers in Darwin, South Australia and Queensland.
In early 2004 the current airstrip was deemed unsuitable for further racing as the surface was breaking up (it had been laid in the 1940s after all) and work began on securing land and funding for a permanent facility.
During this lull in racing, members travelled to Tennant Creek to race at the airport on the Mayday long weekend (1000 km round trip!). Racers also travelled to Darwin, Whyalla and Mildura.
CADRA has secured funding of $800,000 to build a quarter-mile dragstrip and a Portatree timing system has been purchased fom the United States.
Completion of the raceway is now only months away and many vehicles are being built or purchased for the opening.
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