Editorial By:  Geelong Moto Cross Club President Frank Cambria

Each September, Victorians celebrate the end of winter sporting fixtures with Grand Finals in various sporting codes, and although it is not the end of the season for motocross, the sport could be at the end of an era in this town without City of Greater Geelong support.

September 7, 2009 is D-Day for our sport in the Greater Geelong region, which could have devastating impacts on several hundred local families in our city.

For many Geelong families who are members of Sporting Motor Cycle Club and Geelong Moto Cross Club, dirt bike riding is a significant financial investment with many pouring between $10,000 and $100,000 a year into their sport to ride and race here in Geelong and throughout Australia.

As President of the Geelong Moto Cross Club, it has been a long and difficult road for our members who technically have not had a home since 2007 when the City of Greater Geelong closed our Breakwater circuit.

As readers would know there has been a strong campaign by riders, support groups, members of the Geelong and business communities and our political leaders – both government and opposition - to ensure that we are not only able to save one of Australia’s greatest tracks - McAdam Park, Barrabool - but also secure a permanent home for Geelong Moto Cross Club and members.

While the City of Greater Geelong has come under significant pressure in recent weeks to commit $1.2million over two years – an option council officers recently proposed to councillors - to secure McAdam Park, many wouldn’t realise the work that has been underway to gain the support of some on council.

This has not been an easy road for Council, who have come under significant pressure from within council and from members of our club, including myself.

Council is now in pole position where they can save McAdam Park for the benefit of the entire community.

We require $1.2m over two years to save our sport and club, and ensure that more than $5million continues to be poured into Geelong’s economy each year through events at McAdam Park.

Second place should not be an option for councillors, but with a solid team of mechanics, engineers and pit crew, the City of Greater Geelong Councillors can save a sport and be placed on the number One podium position and cheered by an entire sporting community.

October’s Supercross event at Skilled Stadium would be a fitting national event and venue for councillors to claim they saved our sport and club.


- Frank Cambria - President, Geelong Moto Cross Club


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