The split between councillors came during debate over this year’s budget, which will see $8500 given to the Warrnambool and District Drag Racing Association. 

Under the proposal Warrnambool City Council would also contribute $8500, while the group itself has raised $16,000. 

The group is hoping to set up a permanent base on the old racecourse site north of Koroit.

But not all councillors supported the bid with Cr Mick Wolfe questioning whether the club was a community group.

“They’re not the Red Cross, they’re not Moyneyana,” Cr Wolfe said. “They’re not a charity group.” 

But Cr Jim Doukas said the same question could be asked of the Port Fairy Football and Netball Club — of which Cr Wolfe is president. 

“It’s got a huge amount of potential,” Cr Doukas said of the drag racing track. 

“We spend hundreds of thousands on tourism and most of it goes to Port Fairy.” 

He said the group had struggled over the years dealing with multiple parties such as the airport and Warrnambool City Council. 

Cr Anthony Keane said the race track would bring in “thousands of tourism dollars”.  

A motion to remove the $8500 from budget variations was voted down four votes to three.