Tarlton Raceway still closed
Lockdown regulations over the past year have made it difficult for the premier Tarlton International Raceway tracks to open.
It used to be the pre-eminent racing destination of choice in Gauteng since 1978, until the pandemic struck. Tarlton International Raceway’s tracks are now barren, the grass is growing by the day and the empty spectator stands emanate an eerie sense of loneliness.
Lockdown regulations have hit many industries hard over the past year. But, when many other businesses were able to reopen, albeit under strict conditions and at lower capacities, Tarlton hasn’t been able to open at all, but for financial reasons.
The track is in fact allowed, under Covid-19 regulations, to open its gates to the public but, with a maximum capacity of only 150 people on the premises at any one time, it really doesn’t make any financial sense to host race days, which is expensive to do.
Tarlton Raceway is all about the love of the sport, and doesn’t list profitability as their reason for operating. The admission they charge goes towards paying the many employees needed to keep the track in good shape, cut the grass, maintain the asphalt and buildings, and run the generator which powers the lights.
Being allowed only to admit so very few people – less than a quarter of the number that used to attend their average-sized events –they’re unable to keep the wheels greased, as it were.
This comes as a major loss for many locals whose main hobby (and escape from the mundane of everyday life) came in the form of putting rubber to road on a certified racetrack.
See the closed track here:
