PREMATURE END TO LISMORE SEASON
By Dennis Newlyn
The remainder of the 2021-2022 season at Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway has been terminated.
Promoter David Lander made the harrowing decision as the Lismore Showground faces a longer than expected recovery from the recent floods.
The ground remains inoperable as the full extent of the damage was not realised until after the high level flooding and torrent of water that submerged the showground for days on end subsided.
The venue remains without power and there’s no indication when electricity will be restored, while the catering facilities require a complete overhaul, with valuable equipment lost.
The damage is so extensive not only to the showground but the City of Lismore community following the area’s worst flooding in history, the Life Line organisation has set up headquarters in a pavilion at the ground to aid in welfare and supplies to people who have lost everything.The situation will not recover for sometime so Lander was left with no alternative but to prematurely close the season.
It also brings to an end his tenure as long time promoter at the Lismore Showground Speedway.
He is the track’s longest serving promoter after his first Lismore season during the 2007-2008 summer.
“I did not want it to end this way,” he said remorsefully.
“But the entire ground is not ready to host speedway meetings. We can’t do anything anyway without power, but it is also the facilities that make it impossible to run a speedway meeting here. It’s such a disappointment after being involved for so many years as promoter here. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Lismore promoter and have met some truly wonderful people who have become firm friends for the rest of my life.”
The new promoters, Mick and Kim Sauer, will officially take over control at the start of the next financial year on July 1, 2022.
The agreement was signed off on February 11, however David and his wife Carol will assist next season during the transition.
All remaining events – and title races – will be written into Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway history as “not held” for the 2021-2022 season.
The opening of the 2022-2023 Castrol Edge Lismore Speedway season is scheduled for Saturday, November 5.
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