Motivate Victoria

2nd April 2020
My race team, pro stock motorcycle, is needing a cash injection as we broke a crank. Which in turn broke the engine block, which damaged the good big valve head and my pride and joy. C.P.Pistons which is also in a holding pattern until our banana AU $1 only gets me 53 cents US.

(How does that happen Mr Federal Treasurer)
Last time I remember our dollar was that bad, was after the GFC crash and our dollar came back with a vengeance. Our dollar was stronger than the US dollar for a while.
I for one can only hope for that day to roll back round sooner than later.

Keep safe and healthy Australia and we will race again sometime soon, hope to get a credit on our winter national entry for 2021.

Check this out, my new mod bike Harley Davidson.
A hard to handle 2002 v-rod, stock frame, no girly bars, 6" stretch in the swing arm, modified to carry air and the N20 wet nitrous system. 1320cc destroyer engine.

Garret turbo, MTC locker clutch, r.c.comp destroyer wheels, carbon fibre lid and guards. 300hp (a little bit of fun).
The doors are wide open.

Friday morning 6th March 2020
My fellow team member and pro stock motorcycle racer Maurice picks me up in his new red Ford Mustang, what a way to start the day. A racey flash unit, 5 litre v8, 12 second car with a few factory mods. (never late in a v8) We're on time for a very important meeting with the labour minister for Werribee and surrounding western suburb areas Mr Tim Pallas.

What I can say at this stage of the process, is we are in a holding pattern, while more important projects are being sorted, mainly the east west tunnel being a massive cost to the government. It will be 9-12 months for us to be moved ahead on the food chain, in the mean time we will be dealing with major events Victoria to get our business plan and feasibility plan prepared for the next meeting with Tim Pallas and the government.

My plan for the Melbourne water land at Avalon is most important, we need this track close to the airport to fully optimise the benefits to the state for tourism, mainly to provide the investment return back to the state, with the track being within close proximity of Avalon airport this will increase the flow of passengers through the Avalon airport by many thousands. Hopefully with planning and the right events the facility can also be used for music festivals, caravan and camping trade shows, etc.

It is essential that we as a group provide a financial plan as to what the benefits are to the state government and the state's economy to get the government to invest the 40 million plus to build a world class drag racing facility as we require to fall in line with south Australia's "the bend" Motorsport facility ( which I've been told is due to open November 2020)

But now with all of the uncertainty with the c virus and the down turn in the economy it will most definitely put us on our ass for 9-12 months with the budget needed to build such a track.

We as a group will use this time to keep positive and move the plan forward best we can. ( positive mental attitude, commitment and of course HARD WORK) We will get across the line.
Post Date: 20 Feburary 2020
P1:
Johnny Hog has taken some time off from his mod bike racing for a transport accident to be sorted by the county court. I simply can't wear a full face helmet as I have some titanium pins in my jaw holding 4 teeth implants in place that have come loose and need replacing.

I jumped at the opportunity to fly to Adelaide for summit round in November to crew for my mate Warren Bull in pro gas, i was lucky enough to get a cheap $85 flight over and Locky booked me an Uber from the airport to the track. Adelaide International Raceway is hard to stay pro active, but something is sometimes better than nothing. Good on you pistol Pete for the effort you make for all racers, you back yourself. Here's hoping to see you at the bend sooner than later. Hope to catch up in the New Year, Regards Johnny.

P2:
Look out 2020, here comes Team Vulture + Johnny Hog! The thunder 400 rolls on, but with very few options to expand to its full potential while we are limited to Sydney and Willowbank QLD. Mid December last year we made a decision to tow up to W.S.I.D (Western Sydney International Dragway) to test and set the clutch and to get a little track time for Lachlan. We towed up Thursday night and set up Friday afternoon. Tested at 6pm and 8pm, pizzas with other Melbourne teams at 10pm, towed back out to Melbourne, stopped to sleep over in Yass overnight, back to the workshop in Melbourne by 1pm Saturday. 850 kilometres each way for two passes on a fully prepped track. This alone is killing our sport with no test facility in Melbourne.

The trailer is at least loaded for the New Year Thunder at Willowbank. I towed up new years day, I usually travel up by HWY 39 Newell, no fires but no water the hottest and driest I've ever seen it in 30 years! I have been doing this trip some 30 years on and off, some towns are down to just drinking water only, last year team Vulture won $800 in prize money at W.S.I.D in round 2, we put it all back to buy a bale of hay. A lot of our fellow racers are from these areas I was wrapped to see plenty of B-Doubles up and down the Newells carting Hay Bales.

P3:
That meeting on New Years (thunder) is the best value in drag racing, I take 1 week of leave, 2 days up, 3 days at the track & 2 days back down to home.

Great track, great weather, great crowd, real racing, good mix of sportsman and pro group one. A bit light on numbers, only 5 pro bikes, the entry was $365 we got $440 back in prize money. The rest is a ridiculous cost, but thanks to my sponsor ‘Thurwood Interstate Transport' it's worth it. But to the track, the crowd of 8,080 is huge by today's standard and should be achievable for all 6 rounds. The gate alone at that meet would be around $350,000 dollars not bad for a days work. We as a racing community need to all put in to help grow the sport. The business end of the sport needs to be managed fairly and make a profit. These profits generated by the stake holders weather be group 1,2,3,4 need to be put back to the tracks and run our sport and show the government and locals and state and federal that we need a professional international standard ¼ mile in Melbourne.
Post Date: 13 October 2019
Motivate Melbourne Update - October 2019

"Johnny Goes to Hollywood - not exactly..... Johnny goes to Parliament house"

Johnny went to Parliament house to meet with the Honourable John Eren. Johnny's achievement of the year; made his mum proud. After three years of letter writing and negotiations as to the need for a professional drag racing track in Victoria, letters and meeting to Regional development, Greater City of Geelong Investments and Attractions, Melbourne Water, Minister for sport and local governments.

After a two hour meeting with the Hon John Eren and his secretary, he listened and we were well received as to the needs of the drag racing community, as well as the costing and funds that will be required. I was impressed with his businesslike manner, and came away confident that we will be moving forward. I have been asked to form/ join a dynamic team; the right people for the right job. The team would consist of Gerald McDorman, Maurice Allen, Lachlan Craven and I. I am at the moment awaiting an arrangement of a meeting with the Hon Pallasto to discuss the plan as well as feasibility.

More on that at a later date.

Thanks to the following for their letters of support to take to the Government meeting:

Pro Stock Motorcycle Association

Covertite- Corey Buttigieg

Geelong Harley Davidson

Victorian Drag Racing Club

Melbourne Drag Racing Club

A.N.D.R.A- Brett Stevens

Lamattina - Group 1 Top Fuel Team

I have just booked my ticket to Adelaide for the Rowe Memorial on the 23rd of November- catch ya there!

-John
Post Date: 26 Sept 2019
Post Date: 15 Aug 2019
It has been a year since I started my Motivate Victoria proposal to build a track at Avalon.
Finally the government departments are contacting me in regards to it.

Please take the time to read the letter I have posted and please respond and I need racers replies to pass on in support of my proposal.

Racers, supporters, teams and businesses need to start sending me these letters on a regular basis so they can be forwarded to departments such as Melbourne Water, Greater City of Geelong Ministers, Regional Development ministers and Sport Ministers of Victoria.

This will be around a 1 year process, and then we will start rallies up and down the Princess Freeway between Werribee and Geelong both ways, on a regular basis. Everyone welcome.

A big thank you to Geelong Harley Davidson and ANDRA for your support!

Cheers, Johnny

Hi John,

Thanks for taking the time earlier today to discuss drag racing facilities in Victoria.

As I mentioned on our call, Sport and Recreation Victoria is currently working with CAMS to investigate the feasibility of a multipurpose motor sport facility at Fiskville in Moorabool Shire.

The study is still in its early stages but it is expected that facilities for a range of motor sport disciplines, including drag racing, will be considered. We are also working closely with the Country Fire Authority and Emergency Management Victoria to ensure all environmental issues at the site are understood and addressed as part of the study.

I recommend that you contact CAMS and ANDRA regarding the above work to see how it may align with your proposal for a facility at Avalon. Regarding your proposal, I would be interested in knowing more about the work undertaken to date on the proposal and the various stakeholders that have been consulted in its development.

You can find my contact details below.

Thanks again John.

Kind Regards,

Luke Mason
A/ Director | Creative, Sport and Visitor Economy | Sport and Recreation Victoria
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

Dear Johnny,

Thanks for the additional info.

No need at this stage to obtain letters from stakeholders. I only meant that if you already had any correspondence on hand from dealings you have already had with Geelong Council, Regional Development Vic, Minister for Sport, Lindsay Fox or others that it may be of use to the staff at Melbourne Water when looking into this proposal. For the time being you can hold off obatining any letters from stakeholders until we have provided a further response to you as they may not be needed.

At this stage I am not certain on which Department/team at Melbourne Water will led coordinating further responses to you but I have a feeling that it will likely be our Property team. I have forwarded the letter you have brought in and included some comments related to what you had told me to the Executive Assistant to Michael Wandmaker, Managing Director of Melbourne Water. Mr Wandmaker and his Executive Assistant will then determine which Department/team at Melbourne Water will then coordinate further responses to you.

I would expect that you will receive a further update within the next 10 business days however please note that it be a much longer process in generating any final response and that there may at some point be further requests for information from yourself and other stakeholders.

As I mentioned in my earlier email to you, if you need to contact me at anytime please feel free to do so via reply to this email or by calling 131 722 and quoting the case number, C-2645.

Kind regards,

Michael Colvin | Acting Manager, Customer Service Centre | Melbourne Water
Post Date: 30 Jun 2019
Dear the Drag Racing Community, fans, supporters and members,

I have some good positive news to share with you all.

Last week, The Hon John Eren the Labour Minister for Lara, contacted me, Johnny Hog, and has now moved my proposal for the quarter mile smile, at Avalon onto the Minister for Sport and Recreation as well as the Department of Planning.

My next move will be attending next week the Board of Works office in Melbourne as to obtain the legal requirements surrounding Government land in Avalon, specifically Point Wilson Road, Avalon.

I have a clear vision from numerous conversations with people who have been racing all their lives.

The business plan will look something like the below:
The winter nationals in Queensland, which I have just attended with my son, where we, Vulture Racing, finished third in the National Championship for Pro Stock Motorcycle, well done Lochy!

This championship alone, the grand final of Drag Racing, is supported by the Ipswich City Council and brings around 8 Million Dollars $$$$$, to Willow Bank and surrounding area even as far away as the Gold Coast every year.

Once we have a professional quarter mile track in Victoria that can run the Australian National's it should produce similar figures. This is a business plan for the future of our sport. I also would call upon ANDRA to supply copies of the infrastructure of Perth Motorsports Complex. I believe this is the model from my personal experiences of racing at every professional quarter mile track in Australia. From a fan's perspective, they can nearly touch the cars and motor cycles as they do their passes. It also incorporates a speed way which I believe is necessary to make the financial contributions needed to run such a facility.
These letters can be read on my website and from now on they will be sent to the various government departments (regional development), ANDRA and IHRA.

I have an extremely busy 12 months in front of me. It all goes towards the future of our sport.
Does not matter what side of the fence you are on.

Regards,
Johnny Hog Ireland
Post Date: 26 Mar 2019
I would like to arrange a public meeting at the VDRC meeting place, Italian Social Club Sunshine. The meeting night will be advised between Brett Stevens(ANDRA) and Dr Shahin (Peregrine/On the run), Mr Morris Alan, from IHRA and any interested parties to discuss a plan to move forward. After state elections, we will have to move forward with the winning candidate for minister for sport and recreation.

Furthermore, I will organise a rally and parade of drag racing competitors and supporters. I intend to have this leave from the voting booths of Lara, Geelong and the Eastern suburbs on the day of the Federal election. Could you please inform me of this date? I would expect we would have some, 200-300 vehicles attend each rally.

Kind Regards,

Johnny Ireland
Post Date: 25 Feb 2019
Dear Mr Finger,

It was recently suggested to me that I investigate and check the site owned by the Board of Works on Point Wilson Road. This land is ideal for our Drag Strip. It appears to me that there is a surplus of land going to waste. Could you please give me a contact for the responsible Minister, both State and Federal, for this so I might move forward prior to the Federal election.

Kind Regards,

Johnny Ireland
Post Date: 3 Feb 2019
Dear Mr Hadden Finger,

We have now driven and surveyed all the land owned by the Board of Works on the Point Wilson and Beach Road currently vacant. This land is a prime opportunity for our project, and is currently going unused and to waste. The land is vast and flat, and positioned in a great location close to Avalon airport.

We are seeking your opinion in regards to this area, and also wondering if you are able to suggest the best contact responsible for this parcel of land who would be able to provide information in regards to its zoning etc. We would also like you personally to be involved.

Please see attached letter from David, the Avalon 2020 manager/ developer.

Kind Regards,

Johnny Hog
Post Date: 28 Nov 2018 Ref: Post on 14 Nov 2018
Good Morning Johnny,

Great to see you are building a plan - the 2010 Motivate Melbourne Rally showed the feeling that existed and I think it's great to build on this story that has been out there for so long - it adds to the depth of the argument!

I have been watching Tailem Bend - it's a great step forward to see the old Mitsubishi site transformed.

As to land at Avalon the best description is the land either side of Point Wilson road and north of Beach Road - for now might I suggest you don't get hung up on where / size/ orientation rather perhaps just work out the size of the parcel you need and any key measurement like minimum length required for a track & run off.

To begin I suggest you look at the Melways and you'll - see the privately owned land then the Melbourne Water land which is what you want! Government Land!!! Please note lots of people also want this land and Melbourne Water have not declared it surplus however it appears less is needed as they improved the treatment plant processes.

Better still have a look at Planning Scheme's on line

http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/jsp/map/PlanningMapsIntro.jsp

Is this enough to help you move forwards?

regards David
ps take a drive down Point Wilson Road and scout the area and you'll get a better idea of the flatter bits and how access would work plus get familiar with area and neighbours
Post Date: 15 Nov 2018
Dear Fellow Racers,

Vulture Racing, Johnny's Hog Shop has been in a holding pattern for the past 3 months due to our commitment to our sport. Mildura sportsman round modified bike- I lost the first round. But, gained 20 points for my trip. We had asked Sunraysia Drag Racing Association if we could also test and tune our Pro Stock Bike for first round Thunder 400 at Sydney. They could not fit us in the pits as to large sportsman entry.

Good for them, not so good for us. Next meeting- Lachlan rode modified bike at the new swan hill track which I am sure we will be of great benefit to all racers once the facility is completed. Lochy was on fire, won 5 in a row.

Thanks Robbie Casser for the $500 cash prize money. Next was pro stock bike in Sydney, 1st round Thunder 400 Lochy still on fire was a bit unlucky the red light in the final as the bike was going better round after round. This track is now what we call home. Avalon would be a lot closer and more cost effective. Next round Willow Bank.

Last week I competed in the Sportsman round in Portland- poor concentration cost me another 1st round loss. I moved forward with another 20 points which doesn't quite put me in a position to complete the remaining rounds for this years Championship. I will not be attending Western Australia for the finalists. Simply because of cost and the need to run group 1 in the 400 Thunder.
Post Date: 14 Nov 2018
Good Morning David,

We spoke at length on my proposal for a purpose built drag strip at Avalon, I have since had Mr Hayden Finger from the government visit myself and my son at our shop.

He told me to contact you, which we had a phone discussion at length on your proposal Avalon 2020. I am now knowing that I need to go after the Hon John Eren for funding, pending his re- election.

Can you supply me with details of land available from the federal government in that area that might be used for my proposed drag strip? I will then move forward with the Greater City of Geelong and Mr Hayden Finger.

I am proposing a lobby same as the gun lobby in the United States of America to lobby the federal and state government over the next 5 years to fund my proposed drag racing strip.

I have also written to Dr Shahin from On The Run service stations group of companies, and am awaiting a reply. They are the company that have just built a similar race track called The Bend. It is located at Tailem Bend South Australia. They are at present trying to include an airport.

Look no further than Avalon.

Kind Regards,

Johnny Ireland

Letter to Dr Sam Shahin
Letter to Brett Luxford
Post Date: 13 Sep 2018

Since my last update I have had a meeting with Hadden Finger (as per above business card details). He attended my Hoppers Crossing shop and saw hand both my investment in my business and my drag racing team. He and Lochy talked all things business, sport and motor sport racing. He has since given me a clear path to follow in the progression of track development in Avalon.

The future of drag racing in a national competition in Australia is the reason as to why it is important to have a world- class facility that can handle a professional sportsman and teams alike. Without this Avalon facility a national plan for drag racing development can never reach potential. The existence of real racing, real sponsors and solid stable and profitable businesses feeding into the Australian economy are all great reasons as to why this development is so necessary in Avalon.

Excellence breeds excellence.

We have recently made a new contact, please see Avalon 2020 website for more details, but this plan could not have been developed. We must support this plan 110%.

I have now a contact list of local and governmental officials that I will continue to contact as we now have a clear vision with how to proceed.

We must as a group of racers be ready to lobby the government and current owners of land in the Avalon area of the obvious needs and benefits of the proposal. A time limit would have to be made with governmental decisions often being slow. We need fast and accurate decisions.

I do realise that it is me that will have to present my ideas to the government and collect the necessary votes in order to proceed. It is at the end of the day all about who will write out the cheques.

Mr Finger, has told me about why the previous plan for a race track by Lindsay Fox in conjunction with C.A.M.S for a race track at Avalon was not in the correct zone 1 km from the airport and was therefore not successful .

The current zoning of the land at Avalon is not in line with the requirements of a race track installation. The land must be rezoned from rural and farming to industrial and commercial. I believe this planning needs to be done now as it will obviously be a long process.

I will be contacting Geelong City Council by letter later this week to confirm that the model plan we will need to follow is The Bend in South Australia. Mr Finger has told me that Avalon Airport at present has 700,000 people per year through its doors. This number is expected to increase with international flights being expected to be departing the airport very soon. With the additional flights it is expected that the figures will increase to upwards of a million people a year. If by government standards a race track facility at Avalon can attract 1.3 million people using the facilities a year, the facility would be in the running for a tourism development grant. The Bend has a Rydges Hotel facility which is currently ranked at a 5 star standard. I have spoken to the operators and owners, which is the On The Run service station company which sells both fuel as well as a vast majority of other items. This is a great source of income. Currently there are two BP service stations on either side of the Princess Freeway at Avalon, I will be sending them a letter to see if they have resources to help in the implementation of my plan.

I would like to arrange a public meeting at the VDRC meeting place, Italian Social Club Sunshine. The meeting night will be advised between Brett Stevens(ANDRA) and Dr Shahin (Peregrine/On the run) and any interested parties to discuss a plan to move forward. After state elections, we will have to move forward with the winning candidate for minister for sport and recreation.
Post Date: 21 Aug 2018

Nitro Up North at Hidden Valley Darwin has been run and won. The Top Fuel cars were well liked, but only the Lamatina Car was still running at the end of the show, Zappia was the stand out winner. This was all in front of a packed house of approx. 12,000 fans. He blew them all away, both competitors and fans a like. He is a true professional.

Bike was between the two Top Fuel bikes of Upton and Matherson. The rest were really just tuning.

I would like to see a full field of Pro Stock Motor Cycle to complement Group One.

The crazy part about Nitro Up North is that Darwin has a population of about 150,000 as to VIC towards 4.5 million yet we have no track. This is a shame on drag racers of Victoria, please support me and lets change this situation quickly.

I have spoken to Paul Rogers Jr before I left for Darwin, as well as Brett Stevens ANDRA Manager. We are at present preparing a business plan to present to the State Government in September. I am at present talking to various State and Local Government and all is positive so far. With some help from some very smart and influential business people we hope to have this off the ground ASAP.

On my way home from Darwin via the desert national at Alice Springs, another great northern territory track. I stopped for a sleep at the new track The Bend in South Australia. I woke to the sound of machinery moving earth constructing the new race track. I have rung the current owner and it is due for racing March-April 2019. Cost so far $110 million and climbing, lucky south Australia.

Since my return, I have spoken to with the State facilities and major project for Vic in regards to what is now needed. This includes finding a block of land and our business plan. I am currently hell bent on Avalon as this will provide easy access for all, including an international airport with little environment issues for example noise and fuel from aircraft.

I will arrange a second meeting next week with Geelong City and state looking for a site. It must be Federal land at no cost to the racer or general public. It may be a possibility for the government to link Avalon airport to the rail at Lara. I would like to see this before a link is made to Tullamarine, as imagine how fast the West would grow . Rock on JOHNNY HOG!
Post Date: 30 Jul 2018

Proposal of a quarter mile, four lane drag strip at Avalon by Johhny Hog Ireland with a mission statement of the best quarter mile in Avalon.
Post Date: 6 Jul 2018

Sunday test & tune calder park, I was the lucky winner of $250 best reaction thanks pistol pete & staff andra volenteers, the winnings are going back to monster BBQ at calder park date to be advised.

"more updates to come"