Calder Park Appoints New Drag Racing Manager...

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Calder Park Appoints New Drag Racing Manager...

July, 2008 - Melbourne’s home of motorsport, Calder Park Raceway, announces the appointment of Nezir (Nez) Demaj to the role of Drag Racing Manager.

Nez Demaj, 47, is a well known identity in Drag Racing, bringing 25 years of competition experience to the role which will oversee the re-introduction of independent drag racing events at the popular Melbourne motorsport and entertainment venue.

Nez’ drag racing career started at Calder Park when he took to the quarter mile in his Windsor small block equipped Mazda RX-4 in the Super Street category back in 1983. He went on to win the venue’s popular King of the Hill events during the 80’s four times with that car, along with several other event victories. He then progressed from setting 11 second passes to low 8 second passes in the Pro Street category with his 1974 RX-4 equipped with a Nitrous Oxide breathing Chev 514 cubic inch engine. Nez enjoyed several successes with that car, most if not all of them gained at Calder Park Raceway

It is also clear that drag racing runs in the veins of the Demaj family, with older brother Idris and younger brother Saban still currently competing in the Pro Street ranks, with Nez maintaining his competitive interest as a crew member to this day, ensuring that he remains at the coal face of the sport, in close and regular contact with drag racers, teams and officials.

According to Nez, “I have many plans for the future of drag racing at Calder Park and will bring feedback from drag racers and all involved in the sport to best provide them with the venue and events that they are wanting to compete in. My long term experience as a driver, current crew member and past regular Calder Park competitor brings the opinion of the racers to the management table, so together with Bob Jane and his team we can bring highly competitive drag racing events back to this fantastic venue.”

This new appointment follows substantial renovation works that have taken place and are continuing at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway to provide competitors and spectators with excellent facilities for any number of drag racing events. These include the venue’s well established Legal Off Street Drag Racing program, along with a number of all new and independent competition events to be announced within coming months.

For further information contact Calder Park on 03 9091 0800

[SS Enforcer]

With the work going on at Calder the prospect of a decent ANDRA sanctioned drag strip in Melbourne is effectively finished is it not.
So no chance of seeing any group 1 racing in Melbourne this decade or probably the next as well I would think.

cheers

[LS1TOY]

Calder park is in Melbourne! 15mins from cbd.:confused:
Jake,

[WLDLS1]

thats a top apointment of a top man. now things will start to happen at the home of drag racing.
top stuff.
congrats.:headbang:

[34CHEV]

With the work going on at Calder the prospect of a decent ANDRA sanctioned drag strip in Melbourne is effectively finished is it not.
So no chance of seeing any group 1 racing in Melbourne this decade or probably the next as well I would think.

cheers

I think gp 1 racing finished a long time in Melb, not good, Heathcote might need a big cash injection I think to try and get the gp 1 boys?

Quote me if I'm wrong but gp 1 can only race in Perth, WSID and Willowbank?

Piss poor really for a major city like Melbourne, my 2c

cheerz

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

I'm always amazed that people think Group 1 cars can only run at ANDRA sanctioned events... times are changing gents.. ANDRA isn't the be all and end all of drag racing in this country...

Build it and they will come...

[JT]

I'm always amazed that people think Group 1 cars can only run at ANDRA sanctioned events... times are changing gents.. ANDRA isn't the be all and end all of drag racing in this country...

Build it and they will come...

is there another venue being built?

[34CHEV]

I'm always amazed that people think Group 1 cars can only run at ANDRA sanctioned events... times are changing gents.. ANDRA isn't the be all and end all of drag racing in this country...

Build it and they will come...

How true, but gp 1 cars will only race for points towards a state or national title wont they?
Thats all most major sponsors care about, see if there name is on the #1 car they have spent there sponsor dollars wisely.

I do agree tho that ANDRA isnt the be all of drag racing. The NHRA:bow: is

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

is there another venue being built?

There won't need to be... Calder will be up to NHRA standard by the end of the year.


How true, but gp 1 cars will only race for points towards a state or national title wont they?
Thats all most major sponsors care about, see if there name is on the #1 car they have spent there sponsor dollars wisely.

I do agree tho that ANDRA isnt the be all of drag racing. The NHRA:bow: is


Yeah I know what your saying but you never know, maybe some super big prize money events might be just the lure to get some of the big team cars back running at Calder in front of what used to be Australia biggest drag racing crowds... big crowds mean big exposure for sponsors..

There are also many group that ANDRA does not cater for, the Pro Street (http://www.austprostassc.com.au) scene being one.

[SS Enforcer]

I'm always amazed that people think Group 1 cars can only run at ANDRA sanctioned events... times are changing gents.. ANDRA isn't the be all and end all of drag racing in this country...

Build it and they will come...

Who else is running events for fuel cars and Ta and TD atm ?

Untill there is a proper national series Group 1 racing will struggle in this country.

I am pretty sure that a 2nd track was on the cards until this track upgrade was announced.

Bob Jane sinks pro drag racing again .

cheers

[gerrymack]

There won't need to be... Calder will be up to NHRA standard by the end of the year.

Yeah I know what your saying but you never know, maybe some super big prize money events might be just the lure to get some of the big team cars back running at Calder in front of what used to be Australia biggest drag racing crowds... big crowds mean big exposure for sponsors..

There are also many group that ANDRA does not cater for, the scene being one.

Wayne, how will Calder get to NHRA standard - is this just track and walls?

What about the fans? NHRA standards are rising all the time - check out Bruton Smith's new drag strip at Charlotte, it's raising the standards to a new level - and fans get to sit in comfort - as they already do at Willowbank, Western Sydney and Kwinana.

I'd love to see a return of real drag racing at Calder, but it'll have to be huge changes to have the Gp 1 cars there - and I don't necessarily think 'big money' events is enough. A lot of time has passed since the last real race there.

The real sad part is how everyone's suffered over the past 7 years - drag racing, Calder and the fans - Melbourne's really missed out!

[34CHEV]

Has Calder still got the noise restrictions in place?

How many noise complaints does calder get?

I know what your saying and I agree, if you dont like the noise dont move/buy there.
I think the local government has stuffed up big time by letting developement get so close to calder, and I cant see any way around this problem besides only running daytime events(which is better then nothing) even T&T's.

I remember going to the nationals there years ago and they were alot better and had more entrants too, my2c

I really hope calder does get off the ground again, Mr Demaj will need some help to break down some brickwalls and thickheads?


cheerz

[SS Enforcer]

There won't need to be... Calder will be up to NHRA standard by the end of the year.




Since WSID has been built drag racing has started to flourish again. There is now a proper bump spot for Top Fuel you can't turn up and run a 60" pass with a 16 sec et and qualify anymore. 17 slammers turning up for the summernats with a 6.17 bump also stands that bracket in good stead.
The sport will flourish more with a proper national competetion so that sponsers get value for their bucks.

Personally I don't care if Calder isn't ANDRA accredited as long as they can attract Gp 1 racers to that track with events that don't conflict with the current calender it has to be good for the sport. Sadly I don't this will be the case.

Melbourne needed a new track and now they arn't going to get one.

cheers

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Wayne, how will Calder get to NHRA standard - is this just track and walls?

What about the fans? NHRA standards are rising all the time - check out Bruton Smith's new drag strip at Charlotte, it's raising the standards to a new level - and fans get to sit in comfort - as they already do at Willowbank, Western Sydney and Kwinana.

I'd love to see a return of real drag racing at Calder, but it'll have to be huge changes to have the Gp 1 cars there - and I don't necessarily think 'big money' events is enough. A lot of time has passed since the last real race there.

The real sad part is how everyone's suffered over the past 7 years - drag racing, Calder and the fans - Melbourne's really missed out!

The track will be to NHRA rules+ standards, you might have missed some of my earlier posts, the seating from the thunderdome is being moved to the drag strip mound, there will be 3000 seats either side of the tunnel, they should be in place by the September re opening, there will be parking for up to 1500 cars on the other side of the track so you will able to sit in your car and watch the drags if you choose, the race control box will also be above the tunnel. The return road is being re routed so it travels in a straight line back to the pits area. New wiring is being installed for the timing lights, the times will once again be shown in mph along with kph and also the 60' time will now be shown. Oh and the burnout comp has been canned :smilesandbanana:


Has Calder still got the noise restrictions in place?

How many noise complaints does calder get?

I know what your saying and I agree, if you dont like the noise dont move/buy there.
I think the local government has stuffed up big time by letting developement get so close to calder, and I cant see any way around this problem besides only running daytime events(which is better then nothing) even T&T's.

I remember going to the nationals there years ago and they were alot better and had more entrants too, my2c

I really hope calder does get off the ground again, Mr Demaj will need some help to break down some brickwalls and thickheads?


cheerz

Calder Park is licenced and able to run any type of motorsport until 11pm 7 days a week.


Since WSID has been built drag racing has started to flourish again. There is now a proper bump spot for Top Fuel you can't turn up and run a 60" pass with a 16 sec et and qualify anymore. 17 slammers turning up for the summernats with a 6.17 bump also stands that bracket in good stead.
The sport will flourish more with a proper national competetion so that sponsers get value for their bucks.

Personally I don't care if Calder isn't ANDRA accredited as long as they can attract Gp 1 racers to that track with events that don't conflict with the current calender it has to be good for the sport. Sadly I don't this will be the case.

Melbourne needed a new track and now they arn't going to get one.

cheers

I know we would all love andra racing back at Calder but it simply is not going to happen.. The AMC mission statement explains what Calder Park and Virginia Raceway will be all about... Read it here (http://www.calderpark.com.au/news2.shtml) - the venues are aimed to attract the grass roots of all types motorsports.

There are a zillion people with race cars out there, the percentage of those cars being top fuelers etc is very small.

Drag racing is a small % of what Calder Park is used for.

There is no reason why the govenment can't supply the money and build a world class drag racing facility in Melbourne as they did in NSW.

[gerrymack]

Well, I hope it all goes well. I remember all too well the fabulous 90s at Calder, huge crowds, great performances.

[vz6.0]

.

There is no reason why the govenment can't supply the money and build a world class drag racing facility in Melbourne as they did in NSW.

Theres every reason why the government wont kick in any money to build a world class facility catering to andra drag racing. Calder park is it.

The conspiracy theorist in me sees a correlation between the Miocevich group lobbying the government, and calder parks recent renovation works in competition to it.

Dont get me wrong, I fully intend to make use of the facility when it reopens in september but it seems to me that Bob would have some "ears" and some gentle whispering regarding the economic benefit to the government in chipping in some bucks to an existing venue rather than starting from scratch would appeal to Brumby et al as theres no planning restrictions or whingy residents waving placards or global warming alarmists jumping up and down about promoting "wasteful" use of fossil fuels.

Win/win, unless you want to see a national points series that allows a victorian to fight for a championship and race in front of his home crowd.

As I stated previously, I will make full use of calder park but feel somewhat jaded as to the timing of all this exciting innovation.

How about some pics of the progress Wayne...:)

Oh and good luck to Nez, its about time a real racer ran the joint, lets hope he doesnt have one hand tied behind his back when the decisions need to be made for the benefit of both parties.

[SS Enforcer]

There is no reason why the govenment can't supply the money and build a world class drag racing facility in Melbourne as they did in NSW.

I believe Justin Madden can't see the need for 2 drag racing facilities in Melbourne now the refurbishments are taking place at Calder.
Calder Park would have been a white elephant if a new strip was built hence the track upgrade now.
For the grass rootes competitors Calder will be a good thing but weather you like it or not Group 1 needs more national exposure to further promote the sport.
For the good of the sport overall Bob Jane should have sold it off for a housing estate then maybe Melb would get a world class facility.

cheers

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Theres every reason why the government wont kick in any money to build a world class facility catering to andra drag racing. Calder park is it.

See you answered your own question, the AMC / Calder Park are quite clear to everyone that they will not host ANDRA events now or ever at the venue, what more do another group going to the govenment need if they are wanting to build another strip based on the need to get GP1 ANDRA racing back to Melbourne.


I believe Justin Madden can't see the need for 2 drag racing facilities in Melbourne now the refurbishments are taking place at Calder.
Calder Park would have been a white elephant if a new strip was built hence the track upgrade now.
For the grass rootes competitors Calder will be a good thing but weather you like it or not Group 1 needs more national exposure to further promote the sport.
For the good of the sport overall Bob Jane should have sold it off for a housing estate then maybe Melb would get a world class facility.

cheers

Calder Park is not just a drag strip, it's used for many other purposes and has events going on almost 7 days a week, including, driver training, fast track racing, hosting the Victoria motor racing championship and the Australia motor racing championship, motor cycle training and ride days, 4WD training, open circuit practice, Moto X Racing, cycling events, go kart events and many other events.

Heres a couple of pics of walls being cut to be moved in to track side, ill have some updated pics soon


http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/1a.jpg

http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/2a.jpg

[PHdesign]

Theres every reason why the government wont kick in any money to build a world class facility catering to andra drag racing. Calder park is it. The conspiracy theorist in me sees a correlation between the Miocevich group lobbying the government, and calder parks recent renovation works in competition to it.

Calder has already taken the Gov't funding, hence the work that is happening now...

Thanks for the updates Wayne - hopefully it can become at least as good as it was 16 years ago, when Calder wouldn't make the changes that ANDRA required and top level drag racing ended in Victoria!

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Calder has already taken the Gov't funding, hence the work that is happening now...



Can you fill us in a little more on this, as in when did this happen and how much cashola are we talk etc etc

[PHdesign]

I don't remember details but Motorsport News reported it about this time last year...

[SS Enforcer]

See you answered your own question, the AMC / Calder Park are quite clear to everyone that they will not host ANDRA events now or ever at the venue, what more do another group going to the govenment need if they are wanting to build another strip based on the need to get GP1 ANDRA racing back to Melbourne.


You see this is the problem the govt sees a track allready there and can't see the need for 2 drag strips in Melbourne. They don't care that Calder is only for Grass Roots racing and see the problem as being between Andra and Bob Jane and if the sport can't sort it's problems out why should they have to step in.

This upgrade has basically killed off pro drag racing in Victoria it's mission statement is all about legal off street drags and community events for bike riders.
I can't see group 1 racing again in Victoria for a decade at least unless it's a few local cars doing a T&T. Maybe the Fuel Floppers could be a goer though.

Cheers

[VYSLED]

Well i wish i had taken some photo's today of calder park for you guys. Im not sure what is going on with it at the moment? Went to the v8 supercar experience at calder and drove down the 1/4 mile not noticing much but a difference on the in field with another super cross x freestyle mx track built with a test bike fanging around? What gives?

[Gen3Man]

I was recently made privy, that the government had put aside $25 million, and was willing to put this towards a new track. Whoever wanted to establish a new track. As in you provide the land, and the government will fund the track !

Has anyone else heard this ??

Did Calder qualify for this grant ??? :confused:

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Well i wish i had taken some photo's today of calder park for you guys. Im not sure what is going on with it at the moment? Went to the v8 supercar experience at calder and drove down the 1/4 mile not noticing much but a difference on the in field with another super cross x freestyle mx track built with a test bike fanging around? What gives?


In conjunction with one of Australia's / The Worlds leadin Moto X riders they are building a world class track, more info on this will be released soon.


I was recently made privy, that the government had put aside $25 million, and was willing to put this towards a new track. Whoever wanted to establish a new track. As in you provide the land, and the government will fund the track !

Has anyone else heard this ??

Did Calder qualify for this grant ??? :confused:

Who should I contact to get some of this $25 mil ? :rofl:


Well i wish i had taken some photo's today of calder park for you guys. Im not sure what is going on with it at the moment? Went to the v8 supercar experience at calder and drove down the 1/4 mile not noticing much but a difference on the in field with another super cross x freestyle mx track built with a test bike fanging around? What gives?

Here's a pic

http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/3a.jpg


There's some more picture of works being done in the Calder Park gallery

http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=9

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Just a couple more photos of the work going on


http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/2.jpg

http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/1.jpg

http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/3.jpg


You can keep up to date with pictures on the Calder Park website here (http://www.calderpark.com.au/gallery/index.php)