The South West Drag Racing Association (SWDRA) was formed in early 1994. In the following years the SWDRA held
drag meetings at Mitchell, Surat and Roma Airports, as well as Linton St, Tiffin St and Barnard Road in Roma
with a view to building an 1/8 mile track of its own.
After years of hard work and fund raising Ironbark Raceway,
located 10 kilometres east of Roma, was opened on Easter Sunday, 20 April, 2003. The Mayor of Roma, Cr. Bruce Garvie
and the SWDRA President, Konrad Crawford, cut the ribbon to officially open Ironbark Raceway. The track was opened
in front of 2,500 people, 71 cars and 9 bikes. It was a proud moment and a huge success for the Club.
Lionel Durre set the track record, at the opening meeting, with a 5.48 second pass, in his twin turbo Pontiac Firebird.
Ironbark Raceway was built largely by a group of local drag racing enthusiasts with the support of local council,
businesses and oil and gas exploration companies, an impressive achievement for a community of 6,500 people. The
Queensland Government also contributed $90,000 towards the build.
The drag strip includes a half mile run off, a return road and staging lanes. The raceway features a control tower
equipped with computers, public address system and computerised starting lights and has excellent viewing from a
huge spectator mound.
