Not only did this well organised and professionally run event provide a three day long and great entertainment to the 8000 plus crowd, but it provided on site camping, food and drink and a very well run bar, also bands playing and a range trade opportunities for businesses in this field. Events of drag races, burnouts and trick/custom vehicles held the audience captive for the entire weekend. All this despite some intense weather conditions including extreme heat and high winds.
Cars of all colours shapes and sizes were on display each one carefully prepared for the event and many of the owners/drivers willing to risk all on the tarmac. Of course there were the weird, the wonderful and the darned right out of sight modifications to some of these colourful unique and powerful entrants all of which made the weekend the huge success that it was.
Then, not to be outdone, were the dirt track drags and displays, you think it is fun watching these on tarmac, well let me tell you on a dirt track it brings a whole new meaning to the spectacle and to the skills required to negotiate the track, and a fair bit of dust too, watch from upwind is always a good option! The two wheelers too provided their take of a Throttle Stomp, loud, fast with a squeal of tyres they take off down the track no doubt giving a huge adrenaline rush to the riders.
So there you have it Throttle Stomp, an outstanding success, interestingly and using base figures set out by Tourism Victoria this event brought, as a conservative figure, between $750,000 and $1,500,000 of direct business into the area. This is direct expenditure and does not include any roll on, churn or multiplier figures, the statisticians can do all that. This is just for one of the many and regular events held at the Gippsland Motorplex. What a great asset to local businesses.
When you consider the number of varied and well attended events held over the year, it makes you wonder why it seems that it is not supported by our local public servants. Why is this multi-faceted facility which provides so much to the local community by way of entertainment, the economy, contributes to safer roads, provides an outlet for our youth (and not so young), and draws huge visitor numbers from intra and interstate not on the Council's agenda for high level support? It brings the following to mind....
- Why is East Gippsland Shire not working with and supporting the volunteers to ensure that this ready-made facility in the region is the leader in this field?
- Why is this ground breaking facility not fully supported by Council, State and Federal government not just with words but with dollars and in kind support.
- Why is long term funding not supported by the Shire?
- Why is funding for events at the Gippsland Motorplex at best minimal, when other events attracting far less visitors/benefits receive tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars due to inept decisions by both the council officers and Council’s funded but external marketing arm?
- Applications have been made, business plans submitted, letters sent to politicians and still response is at best token.
This complex brings huge benefit to our region, (well into the millions of dollars), whether you are a lover of all things car truck and bike matters not, it is good for our local economy, good for our local business, good for our local youth, but it appears not good enough for our local decision makers.
In case you want to find out more don't forget the Australia Day Drags n Skidz event, sure to be another outstanding success and a great day out for all. See you there......!
Photos courtesy of Australian Street Rodding and Tjalalla Photographics with thanks.
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