About Beat the Heat (NT)
| In August 2002 the Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association
trialed the concept of organised 'street drags' and held
3 'unprogrammed' events that received a significant
amount of public support. The 'street meets' proved so
successful that the Club scheduled 10 programmed events
in 2003. The first event was held on the 28th February
and attracted over 700 adults (children were not charged
for admission) and exceeded the clubs expectations. The
'street meet' program has become a tremendous community
safety and public relations opportunity for both the Police and Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association.
This partnership now uses these opportunities to support
their mutual aims and encourage young drivers to only
race on the track and to educate the general public
about the adrenaline charged sport of drag racing.
The Beat the Heat (NT) program is aimed at reducing
and controlling the growing incidence of illegal street
racing and anti social driving behaviour in the
community by providing incentives and support of
sanctioned and legal outlets for drivers to explore
their cars rather than engaging in these dangerous
activities on public streets. This is done through the
involvement of Police (as participants) at organised
'off street racing' events run by the Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association
at Darwin's Hidden Valley Drag Strip.
The program gives young drivers the opportunity to
race against a vehicle that is badged up to look like an
operational police car and is driven by off duty police
officers. It is designed to build alliances between
young drivers and the Police by using the common
interest of motor sport to provide opportunities to
educate young drivers and bring about changes in
attitudes that will encourage responsible driver
behaviour and acceptance of the road rules in the
community. |
| The program encourages drivers to
participate in properly organised, legal 'street meets', on
the track where they can explore and test out their cars
safely. They are invited to match their everyday 'street
registered' vehicles against a police competitor in a
non-threatening environment where friendly rivalry and healthy
competition can be utilised to educate and promote safe and
responsible driving practices.
These events are hosted on the last Friday of every month
by the Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association. The
style of racing is often referred to as 'heads up or grudge'
style drag racing. Cars must be registered or 'street
registrable' and proper attire worn by all participants
(Helmet, Long Sleeve Shirt, Long Pants and closed in shoes)
All events comply with Australian National Drag Racing Association
rules and regulations.
'The Heat' made its first appearance at a 'Street Meet' on
the 26th November 2003 where it ran a respectable 14.6
seconds. The event was attended by over 80 street racers
including Mr Bluey Pearl from PRE Dyno Tuning who travelled
from Mackay, Qld to support the event. Over 1200 spectators
attended the meeting.
This is a long term project. Road Safety is a community
problem that requires community solutions. 'Beat the Heat
(NT)' is run by police officers in their own time and does not
impact on operational duties. 'The Heat' is also used in a
public relations capacity to promote sponsors involvement in
the project, road safety, police recruiting, shopping centre
displays, charity events and shows.
The Beat the Heat program is linked to the NT Police Road
Safety & Crime Reduction Strategies. It is fully sponsored
by local businesses and service organisations and incurs no
costs to the NT Police Force and no insurable risk to the
NT Govt. |
