When the flag drops for the first race of 2022-23 Lismore Speedway Season on November 5 it will be the culmination of a lifelong dream for husband and wife team, Mick and Kim Sauer.
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The couple had just taken over the speedway from former promoter David Lander when the flood hit.
It has been a long road back ever since, with a lot of equipment and infrastructure in dire need or repair and refurbishment.
"We bought the Speedway the week before the floods . How is your luck?" Kim Sauer said.
"There were some very big character building lessons.
"But our heart was in it way too much to walk away from it."
The couple hope that speedway fans will see the work they have put in to spruce up the track to make it a welcoming place for families.
They have kept ticketing and prices at a level that most people can afford in order to bring people back to the track.
"We want people to walk into the speedway and go 'wow'," she said.
"We have got a massive big scoreboard and a fence that looks a million bucks."
Mick Sauer has been into speedway racing since his teens and petrol runs in his veins.
The couple are from Pottsville, but feel about as local as you can get after working seven days a week for months to get the speedway ready for the season.
The opener on November 5 is billed as the Lord Mayor's Cup and the dirt modifieds are a big part of the program.
"If we don't both have heart attacks, or nervous attacks, I am sure once that flag drops, we will feel like we have done it," Kim said.
"We are actually fulfilling a lifelong dream for both of us."
New canteen and corporate boxes will also be a part of the new look track.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
