Major upgrades to Warwick Dragway completed

A much anticipated project in the Southern Downs is now complete, hosting a grand reopening to showcase the $1.9m upgrades. Full details here.

Morgan Park Raceway has received a $1.9m face lift in a bid to bolster the region's sporting events.

After a more than two year wait the much anticipated Warwick Dragway extension project is now complete.

The project saw an extension of the existing eight-mile dragstrip to a whopping quarter-mile strip.

Further upgrades included an extension of the braking area, concrete crash barriers, sealing return road, staging area, new timing equipment, lighting and an additional raised viewing area.

The $1.9m state and federal government funded project is set to enhance the precinct’s capacity to host and attract national level sporting events.

Warwick District Drag Racing Association president Chris Loy said the project was a dream come true for local racing enthusiasts.

Warwick Dragway has received a $1.9m face lift in a bid to bolster the region's sporting events.

“We have come a long way since our first opening meeting in 2000, from building an eighth mile dragstrip to give the youth a safe environment to race to now running 6000 horsepower nitro funny cars down the new quarter mile track,” Mr Loy said.

“This project is a great asset to Warwick District Drag Racing Association and the wider community.

“We now look forward to bringing a large number of spectators and racers to our community.”

The grand reopening of the dragway and launch of the quarter-mile saw hundreds of keen spectators flock trackside for Saturday’s event.

The event saw local government officials come together to commemorate the momentous event, which included a special appearance from the Aeroflow Nitro Funny Cars.

Warwick Dragway has received a $1.9m face lift, with a special ceremony held on Saturday, March 9. Pictured: (From left) Southern Downs councillor Ross Bartley, councillor Andrew Gale, Chris Loy, David Littleproud MP, John Loy, mayor Vic Pennisi and councillor Stephen Tancred.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the upgrade will be a major benefit to the entire Southern Downs region.

“This upgrade promises to be a major benefit to not only the Warwick Dragway, but to the entire Southern Downs community as it allows for even bigger events to be held at Morgan Park, which in turn promises to attract more visitors to the region,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Southern Downs community showed incredible strength during the Black Summer Bushfires and this funding was helping the community recover and grow, so I am proud to see this funding go towards a meaningful project that will attract visitors to the region and boost the local economy.

“It gives me great pride to officially unveil these upgrades and I can’t wait to see the positive impact this new and improved dragway will have on the Southern Downs region in the years ahead.”

Originally published as Major upgrades to Warwick Dragway completed