The initiative allows people to drive fast in a controlled environment. 

Former Braidwood student Andy Harris, who is preparing for his fourth season of professional racing, said the days at Wakefield Park, run by Trackschool, were well attended. 

“They are great. It gives people an opportunity to have a bit of fun in a controlled place,” he said.

“If they aren’t doing it here, they will be doing it on your suburban streets. 

“They come here to have some fun and see what they can do in their cars. 

“It is great fun. Once you do it once, you will keep doing it.”

Southern Highland News reporters took to the track with Harris on Saturday, December 17, to experience the Speed off the Streets day. 

Before his car hit the track, Harris ran over everything to make sure it was all up to speed. 

“Before taking the car out, you change oils and check everything on the car. Safety is a major thing for us,” he said. 

“Just doubling checking the wheel nuts and other things.”

Harris is preparing for his next race at Wakefield Park, Goulburn, in February.

He will then go on to race at Eastern Creek before returning to Mount Panorama, Bathurst. 

“Bathurst is the largest track I have been on,” he said. 

“My car is the quickest non-turbo Mazda MX5 to go around Bathurst. 

“I think we would be getting close to the quickest MX5 there once we get the new diff in.”

Having updated his car in the past year, Harris was aiming to finish the 2.2-kilometre Goulburn track in one-minute and four seconds in 2017.

His current PB for the track is one-minute and six seconds.

Harris would love to race for a career but was restricted by the costs. 

“I would love to do this as a career but we don’t have the money to get anywhere,” he said. 

“It doesn’t matter how much talent you have, you have to pay for drives to be seen and it is just too expensive. It would be nice, but it is just a hobby.”