Crash course as drivers prepare for demolition derby

A BASH and crash demolition derby will be one of the highlights at the two-night season finale of the Lismore Speedway on the June long weekend.

The event will run across June 7 and 8, with gates opening from 4pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.

Demolition derbies have been a popular part of speedway for more than 60 years, with 10 or more cars deliberately ramming into one another until a single vehicle is left running.

Major racing will feature the New South Wales AMCA Sedan Championship, contested as part of the Chilly Nationals.

It will also mark the final event for promoters Kim and Mick Sauer, who are stepping down after three years in charge.

The couple took on the role just before the 2022 floods and have helped rebuild the venue, bringing national and international racing back to the track.

“Few would realise the hours we have put in and the amount of work that’s involved with the running of a speedway track,” Kim Sauer said.

“It can be very demanding at times and totally time consuming and we do also have another business to run, so we had to make a decision on our future direction.

“I want to thank all members of our track personnel for the wonderful support during our three years.

“We have given it everything because we know what this venue stands for in the history of the sport.”

Crowds have continued to turn out despite ongoing wet weather and multiple washouts in recent years.

In other racing, former Australian V8 Dirt Modified Champion Mitch Randall will line up in the AMCA division. He is the grandson of Col Randall, who passed away recently and is being honoured in the memorial race.

V8 Dirt Modified driver Connor Seiton Young is also stepping into a new division, having entered the wingless sprints.

A fireworks display will also be featured on Sunday as part of the finale.

Tickets and the full program are available at lismorespeedway.com.au.