Racers have also rejected any claims concerning prize money, with no increases in pay-outs in over five years, while competitor entry fees have risen more than 80 percent. It has also been said that numerous changes in track management and staff brought on by Jane has also given the appearance of instability within the sport.

What was ironic about Jane's decision was that, despite cancelling the season, he still intends to run the Australian Nationals. That event's financial rewards to the promoter apparently are enough to keep his interests.

Held on a state-by-state, track-by-track rotational basis for its first 25 years, the Nationals was awarded to Calder Park on a semi-permanent basis in 1992. The Nationals - an event Jane once said would be bigger than down-under's own version of the Super Bowl, the Australian Football League Grand Final - through its standing in the community, is believed to be worth around $750,000 alone to Jane.

The sport's relationship with Jane has been rocky and controversial for nearly 30 years, with a number of similar arguments cropping up in the past when in a number of instances Jane preferred to split from ANDRA and sanction his own events.

Australian National Drag Racing Association CEO, Tony Thornton (right) said Jane's recent decision was "disturbing," although the sanctioning body wouldn't be sitting idly-by, watching the sport and supporting industry.

"We've spoken with Bob Jane and entered into discussions regarding the leasing of the tracks, in the interests of returning active racing to both cities," Thornton said. "ANDRA has received a number of proposals and we will be working with those to ensure we can come to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible."

Following a January 8 meeting with Jane, Thornton said Jane's major concerns were insurance cost-related and, if those could be overcome, it was possible that Jane could even return to promoting 'standard' events too. "I have asked for detailed costings from Bob for ANDRA to lease the facilities and we will work from those to come to a viable conclusion.

"But, at the same time, we will work on the insurance concerns and, who knows, Bob might be satisfied enough with those results to return to promoting the events himself."

It is hoped that Jane's decision wouldn't effect veteran racer Jim Read and Dragster Australia publisher David Cook's proposal to build a stand-alone drag racing facility in Sydney.

Read and Cook currently have a proposal before the New South Wales State Government for the $15 million facility, with a favourable announcement, after three years of lobbying, knockbacks and public demonstrations, expected to come in the next few weeks.

Since the government leased the multi-purpose Eastern Creek track to the circuit racing-based Australian Racing Drivers Club in 1996, drag racing has been on the outer in that city.

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