Helen Russo

DRiVA President Helen Russo said the Sandown display was a reminder that while Melbourne had been without ANDRA Championship Drag Racing for almost six years, the sport was still running strong."In the rarefied atmosphere of a V8 Supercar event drag racing received a lot of positive attention, with the main consensus that Melbourne missed ANDRA Championship Drag Racing," Russo said."Everyone was positive about our intentions on seeing a dedicated facility built in Melbourne and looking forward to championship drag racing's return to the city which has always been considered its spiritual home."Russo also paid tribute to Christerson for his efforts in making the display so successful.

DRiVA president Helen Russo said that while supporting the new laws, the lack of a suitable venue in Melbourne for want-to-be racers was a catalyst for many drivers' foolish actions."No one can condone illegal street racing and nobody should have their safety put at risk because of irresponsible hoons," Russo said.

"If it takes the impounding of vehicles to get the message across that you should not be racing on the streets then we fully support that.But the same time, Melbourne has been without an ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Association) sanctioned drag racing facility since 2001."

Russo said DRiVA would be calling on the state government to explore every option to establish an international standard drag racing track that meets all ANDRA standards for safety and amenities."Drag racing needs a home in Melbourne, like those that are already successfully operating in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth," Russo said.

Helen Russo, President - DRiVA on 0438 550 279 or
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Drag Racers in Victoria Association (DRiVA) President Helen Russo and ANDRA Victorian Division Director David Baker have been involved in developments and are supportive of this approach.
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DRiVA president Helen Russo said that while supporting the new laws, the lack of a suitable venue in Melbourne for want-to-be racers was a catalyst for many drivers' foolish actions."No one can condone illegal street racing and nobody should have their safety put at risk because of irresponsible hoons," Russo said.

"If it takes the impounding of vehicles to get the message across that you should not be racing on the streets then we fully support that.But the same time, Melbourne has been without an ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Association) sanctioned drag racing facility since 2001."

Russo said DRiVA would be calling on the state government to explore every option to establish an international standard drag racing track that meets all ANDRA standards for safety and amenities."Drag racing needs a home in Melbourne, like those that are already successfully operating in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth," Russo said.

Drag Racers in Victoria Association (DRiVA) President Helen Russo and ANDRA Victorian Division Director David Baker have been involved in developments and are supportive of this approach.

This has been a condition of the Government dealings with the proponents, and the set-up of the management body, which is currently being directed by the Government's own probity advisers in negotiations with the proponents' legal adviser, Helen Russo.

It is intended that the body will be affiliated with the NSW Division of ANDRA, and that the current ANDRA Division Director or his nominee will always have a position on the management body.

Helen Russo PRESIDENT president@driva.com.au

PRESIDENT - Helen Russo

Helen is a long term nitro funny car addict.With with husband Peter Russo, 4 times Australian funny car champion, Helen has been committed to funny car racing for over 20 years.
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Helen is one of the founding members of DRiVA and is Chair of the ANDRA National Control Council (NCC) and an occasional participant on the National Executive Council (NEC).

Away from drag racing and in her other life, Helen is a lawyer with a practice in local government and planning law.She is currently working for the Country Fire Authority rewriting the Country Fire Authority Act.

DRiVA President Helen Russo said "We're absolutely thrilled that Angry has agreed to be with us to celebrate our champions and Victoria's drag racing future.Who knows, maybe one of The Tatts most recognised hits, "We can't be beaten", could become the anthem for Victorian drag racing."

"The presence of Anderson just caps off what will be a really memorable night for all those attending" Russo said.
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DRiVA President Helen Russo said the Sandown display was a reminder that while Melbourne had been without ANDRA Championship Drag Racing for almost six years, the sport was still running strong.

"In the rarefied atmosphere of a V8 Supercar event drag racing received a lot of positive attention, with the main consensus that Melbourne missed ANDRA Championship Drag Racing," Russo said.

"Everyone was positive about our intentions on seeing a dedicated facility built in Melbourne and looking forward to championship drag racing's return to the city which has always been considered its spiritual home."

Russo also paid tribute to Christerson for his efforts in making the display so successful.
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Drag Racing in Victoria Association (DRiVA) President Helen Russo said the number of Victoria drivers and teams entered for the AC Delco East Coast Nationals was an indication of just how strong the sport was in Victoria despite a six year absence of ANDRA Championship Drag Racing in the state.

"Victoria was once the jewel in the crown of Australian drag racing and there remains a real passion and dedication to the sport," Russo said.
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DRiVA President Helen Russo said DRiVA was in full support of the announcement, having already been briefed by ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton and Miocevich.
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"DRiVA's agenda since its formation in late 2003 has been to see the establishment of a world class, standalone drag racing facility in Melbourne by whichever means," Russo said.
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DRiVA president Helen Russo said the display would give local race teams the opportunity to re-introduce ANDRA Championship Drag Racing to Victorians, with over 60,000 people attending the event each of the past two years.

"With no ANDRA Championship Drag Racing in Melbourne since 2001 our sport has been pretty much forgotten in the city which was once its spiritual home," Russo said.
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For further media information contact: Helen Russo, President - DRiVA on 0438 550 279 or Gerald McDornan, Media Consultant - DRiVA on 0419 898 954
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DRiVA president Helen Russo said that while supporting the new laws, the lack of a suitable venue in Melbourne for want-to-be racers was a catalyst for many drivers' foolish actions.

"No one can condone illegal street racing and nobody should have their safety put at risk because of irresponsible hoons," Russo said.

"If it takes the impounding of vehicles to get the message across that you should not be racing on the streets then we fully support that."

"But the same time, Melbourne has been without an ANDRA (Australian National Drag Racing Association) sanctioned drag racing facility since 2001."

"Drag racing needs a home in Melbourne, like those that are already successfully operating in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth," Russo said.

"A similar set-up would provide the opportunity to race safely in a controlled, regulated environment and combined with the legislation would largely eradicate illegal street racing."

For further information contact: Helen Russo, President - DRiVA on 0438 550 279 or Gerald McDornan, Media Consultant - DRiVA on 0419 898 954
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"Running a competitive race team is difficult enough without the pressure of having to make a 3,300km round trip every time you want to race," DRiVA President Helen Russo said.

DRiVA was formed by concerned racers in 2003 in an attempt to secure the long term future of the sport in this state by establishing a standalone, world class drag racing facility for Victoria.

There is currently no facility capable of holding an ANDRA Championship Drag Racing national event in this state - the last being held in early 2001.

"Victoria has been without ANDRA Championship Drag Racing for five long years, but despite that the performances of our drivers and teams who made the long haul interstate shows that the passion for the sport burns within this state," Russo said.