Nick Dametto backs DriveIT NQ to complete dragstrip and speedway at Calcium

With over $20m already committed by the state to upgrade Townsville’s DriveIT NQ motorsport facility, the KAP has vowed to secure the final $10m needed to complete the drag strip and build a speedway.

DriveIT NQ Director Greg Fitzgerald and KAP deputy leader and member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto at Reid Park in Townsville, as the KAP committed to securing the $10 million in funding for DriveIT NQ.

With more than $20 million already being committed to upgrade a Townsville driver education and motorsport facility by the state government, the KAP have backed the project by committing to secure the final $10 million to complete the drag strip and construct a speedway.

The DriveIT NQ facility at Calcium sees North Queensland motoring enthusiasts using the community-owned space to drive their vehicles on a circuit course.

Deputy leader of the KAP Nick Dametto said to stop illegal hoons on public streets it was important for any future state government to recognise facilities like DriveIT NQ and invest in motorsport facilities.

“We need to continue working and investing here in the Townsville region so we can get young people engaged in the sport in a safe manner,” he said.

Following a recent hooning incident with the ‘Mexican Hoon Cartel’ at the start of October which caused $300,000 in damage to public property, Mr Dametto said he did not endorse illegal hoons, but said car lovers needed an outlet.

“Those aren’t the kind of people that you want to be rewarding,” he said.

Saying he wanted to see illegal hoons “off the streets”, Mr Dametto said there are be some good people caught up in hooning that need a better pathway into safe motorsport practices.

DriveIT NQ Director Greg Fitzgerald and KAP deputy leader and member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto at Reid Park in Townsville, as the KAP committed to securing the $10 million in funding for DriveIT NQ.

“I condemn the burnouts, and I condemn the destruction of public property. Unfortunately, you’re always going to have people that do the wrong thing, but we aren’t talking about those people right now. We want to engage with young people that want to get involved,”

“I want to see them off the streets but the fact is it’s a cheap way to enjoy what they do right now.”

DriveIT NQ director Greg Fitzgerald said they would hope to eventually evolve the facility into a world-class multi-user motorsport destination, with circuit racing, drags, speedway and karting in the future, but also agreed that illegal hooning behaviour was unacceptable.

“What is going on in our community at the moment, there are some proper rat bags,” he said.

“But there are also some people who just are bored and literally don’t have a safe place to go.”

KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto Reid Park in Townsville, as the KAP committed to securing the $10 million in funding for DriveIT NQ.

“If we can peel away the good eggs and give them a place to go and do that responsibility, let the police focus on the few who need to be focused on.”

The facility was designed and costed back in 2016, with DriveIT NQ then approaching the state and federal government for funding, with Mr Fitzgerald saying the cost became greater than first envisioned.

“As we all know the price of things has increased since then,” he said.

“Our ask of $10 million is going to finalise the safety measures.”

These include completion of safety barries on both the drag strip and circuit, as well as upgrades to power, water and sewage systems and the construction on a new speedway.

Originally published as Nick Dametto backs DriveIT NQ to complete dragstrip and speedway at Calcium