AFTER a quiet previous season, the Myrtleford Speedway Club has a jam–packed schedule of meetings this spring and summer.

"This season is back to having a full dance card so we're really excited," club president Glen Walch said.

"It's good for the club, the town's loving it and everyone's excited that there's motorsport back here competing."

The Myrtleford Speedway will be hosting an open practice day on August 27 and a speedway and short track meeting on October 1.

At the next dirt track meeting on October 29 all classes of motorcyclists will compete, and female racers will compete for the Ladies Cup.

There will also be a buckets race, featuring low–powered minibikes.

The Alpine Open will be running at the Mount Beauty Speedway on November 27, while the jewel in the Myrtleford Speedway crown – the Twin Valleys Dirt Track Shield – is planned for January 1 at Mount Beauty and January 2 at Myrtleford next year.

This year the club has been busy resurfacing the track and building a new clubroom and canteen.

The track has been resurfaced with almost 130 tons of granitic sand, giving it a slight upwards taper toward its outer edge to help riders stay on the circular track.

Not only is the new track safer, it also allows for faster top speeds.

"We've ridden on it once and it was amazing," said club vice–president Luke Corbett.

"It's the best it's been for years."

The club room/canteen, with a new vinyl floor and air–conditioning, will be used for committee meetings and as a canteen and first aid office during speedway events.

Mr Walch's daughter, Bailey Walch, is excited to be competing in the senior ladies class for the first time this season, riding her new 250cc bike.

The 16–year–old said she is aiming to be one of the top riders in the 250cc ladies class.

The club is also planning to raise funds and build a catch fence to stop vehicles dangerously careering off the track, allowing them to host four–cylinder speed car meetings.

Another practise day is planned for February 4, while February 18 at Mount Beauty will feature another all classes competition, the Trike–o–rama, and the Pre–90 Showdown –a race of motorbikes made before 1990.

More events are planned in April and May next year, including go–kart meetings, while others are still to be confirmed.