Round the houses racing will return

By Keren Holland

Street racing will return to Narrogin next year with plans for a big event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of first ever grand prix in WA.
Deputy Mayor Don Ennis said plans for a race week, to follow the Rev Heads weekend in November, would bring huge economic benefits to the town and the region.
Last week, the council's Development and Corporate Services Committee recommended a committee be formed to plan the event which would include horse racing, trots, speedway, BMX and a round the houses racing event in the town.
Councillor Ennis, who has been working on the project since December last year, said although planning was still in its early stages, with the formation of a race week committee things should move ahead quickly.
The committee would include it Mayor Sally Higgins, Councillor Ennis, representatives from the Narrogin District Council, police, the Narrogin Chamber of Commerce, Dr John Parry and other individuals.
Councillor Ennis said the event would put Narrogin on the map, with people expected to flock to the region from all around WA and Australia.
In 1951 Narrogin hosted the first grand prix in WA and the round the houses racing would celebrate that event.
It is hoped some of the original cars and drivers from the 1951 event would return to Narrogin for the fiftieth anniversary celebrations.
In a report to the council, chief executive officer Stephen Tindale said the grand prix would be held on a street circuit using May street, Deller Street, Narrakine Rd, Ensign Street and Clayton Road.
There were three potential circuits each of two, 3 and 4.5 kilometres but, depending on the number of races and supporters, only one would be used.
There would also be two mid week horse racing events and two trotting events, which combined with the Rev Heads weekend, would give Narrogin its race week.
Councillor Ennis said two different organisations were keen to stage the round the houses event and the committee would have to consider which one to go with.
"With its starting with Rev Heads the whole event will be based around as much exposure for the town and surrounding area as possible," Cr. Ennis said.