Your race committee has met and taken the decision, based on the best available health advice, to proceed with the Outback Air Race 2022 as planned. We are cleared for take-off!
There are now a few facts that each participant must consider in their decision to continue with our event:
- There is no need to respond to this notice unless you wish to withdraw
- There is now a seven day (until May 8th) grace period during which any teams or team members who don’t wish to proceed with the event may withdraw and receive a full refund. Refer to our cancellation policy on the website for details after that grace period expires.
- Although we plan this event carefully, sometimes things occur that disrupt us. This has occurred and there are two changes to our itinerary that you need to be aware of:
- The Defence Force’s “Pitch Black” international war games exercise in NT has been planned (unfortunately) to clash with our event. As a consequence, the likelihood of getting our fleet of 40 aircraft out of Darwin, together with all the other private, charter and RPT traffic on our Monday departure date prior to the Pitch Black curfew was slim. Parking for our fleet was also proving difficult. As a consequence, we have decided to instead fly into, and depart from, Emkaytee (YMKT) a GA airport SE of Darwin. Transport to and from Darwin will be provided. This was mentioned last ChinWag.
- Breaking news is that due to an administrative error at the Undara Resort, our reservations there were lost. We can no longer stop at Undara.
- We have decided instead to spend two nights in Karumba. There are several activities there to partake in, including
- Ocean fishing trips
- Scenic cruises
- Popping over (by bus or your plane) to nearby Normanton and riding the historic Gulflander train to Critter’s Camp
- As Dr David Jones explained in the last Chin Wag, we are a close group who will frequently find it impractical to socially distance from our fellow race participants and others. That means we must be cautious to avoid a mass COVID outbreak. The Waiver & Release form that each of you will sign will obligate you (among other things) to self-test if you exhibit COVID-like symptoms, and to withdraw and isolate if you test positive, during or immediately before the event. We also strongly recommend being fully vaccinated. Of course, there is still a small risk that yet another COVID strain will disrupt our event, but we will press on regardless.
Only four months to go – time to put your team’s fundraising into overdrive and give your fundraising tally a boost. As of 29th April 2022, we had already raised $114,723.
If you have any questions or are struggling with ideas for fundraising, feel free to contact any of the committee. Our contact details are all on the website.
See you at the next Chin Wag.
Regards
Stuart Payne
OAR2022 Race Manager