And it appears the organisers are making headway in alleviating Aldavilla residents’ fears over noise and public safety for the races that were given development consent by Kempsey Shire Council last week.

Four Aces Drag Racing Club secretary Peter Campbell said four airport neighbours had attended the club’s monthly meeting in Kempsey on Tuesday.

“I’d rate the meeting a nine out of 10,” he said.

“We invited anyone with concerns to attend and it went for two hours.

“We had a very in-depth discussion and we read the conditions the council has put on the club for hosting the race event.”

Mr Campbell said the residents at the meeting included Maree Williams, who hosted a public meeting in opposition to a development application for the event in February 2011.

Mrs Williams had articulated her concerns about noise, and particularly how it might affect the many horses that are ridden near the airport at weekends.

“We made the suggestion that they let us know the dates when people take the horses away to equestrian events and we would try and schedule the drag racing for one of those,” he said.

A tentative date has been earmarked –April 20, next year

Mr Campbell said he had explained the guidelines for the event and reassured the Aldavilla residents of tight restrictions on alcohol, parking and decibel levels for the low-performance car drag races.

Mrs Williams said Aldavilla residents still had concerns over noise, public order and the effects on horses ridden in the area at weekends, but added she would maintain dialogue with the club.

“It has been passed by the council and there were 70 submissions (from residents),” she said.

“We’ll see if we can work with them (club members) to keep the regulations enforced. We’re not ogres.”

Mrs Williams said airport neighbours would send audio engineers to monitor noise levels at the event and would take photographs of any breaches of conditions that occurred to present them to the council if further events were planned.

“Drag racing at other airports tends to be in isolated areas,” she said.

“Casino has homes down at one end. There are 300 houses in this area copping the noise.”

Mrs Williams welcomed an invitation from the Four Aces Drag Racing Club to attend events with its members at airports in Glen Innes, Gunnedah and Casino.