Named in honour of the late Yvonne Martyn, who was the club’s secretary for 32 years, the new complex will house events such as motorkhanas, khanacrosses, rallysprints and hill climbs – the latter of which is still a while away from taking place.

 

A lot of hard work has gone into building the motorsport complex, which is spread across an 18 hectare property, as security fences built, clubrooms and toilets refurbished, an associated septic system installed and the old quarry levelled.

 

The newly refurbished clubrooms will be also known as the Liz Roberts Memorial Clubrooms, honouring former Lithgow District Car Club Secretary in the 1990s, who took on the duties after Martyn’s passing.

 

More than 19,000 hours of voluntary labour also saw the removal of tonnes of rubbish, the eradication of noxious weeds, fencing of the habitat of the endangered Purple Copper Butterfly and many more tasks that remain ongoing.

 

The club will celebrate the opening of the new complex with a special ceremony before running a motorkhana in honour of Roberts and a come and try – marking its first event since November 2000.

 

The ceremony will see local MP Paul Toole and Motorsport Australia Vice President Graeme Emerton carry out the official duties and declare the Motorsport Park open, before the motorkhana and come and try takes place.

 

With the hill climb course remaining the final piece of the puzzle before the whole complex is complete, current club secretary and treasurer Les Taylor was proud of the efforts put in to building it.

 

“A lot of hard work has gone into this project and a special mention must go out to fellow life members Beach Thomas, Jim Morgan and former Club President Dave Tutton for their massive efforts in helping me get this project off the ground and to fruition,” Taylor said.

 

“It all started in 1984 when we had wanted to turn the old Boulder Road into a hill climb course as we haven’t had any hillclimbing in this region since the 40 Bends Hillclimb at South Bowenfels closed almost 50 years ago.

 

“A big thanks also to Lithgow City Council for their much appreciated assistance and our many supporters of the including Centennial Coal, Energy Australia, Henry Plant Hire and Tutton Plumbing.

 

“We’re all extremely proud to be finally getting the Yvonne Martyn Memorial Motorsport Park open after such a long time and we can’t wait to start hosting family friendly events.”

 

The Lithgow District Car Club’s official opening Yvonne Martyn Memorial Motorsport Park, Liz Roberts Memorial Motorkhana and Come and Try will take place on Sunday 21 March.