Karting Australia has expressed its support for a new ‘home of motorsport’ to be located at Avalon Airport in Victoria.
As pointed out in a previous post (see HERE), there is still no mention of a kart circuit being part of the 150ha complex.
The Victorian Labor Government has provided a $1.6 million grant to assist with the design and planning of the project.
Financing of the build (possibly around $250 million) has yet to be confirmed. Speedcafe reported the complex would be backed by the state government in a long-term public/private partnership that’s likely to include Linfox (the Linfox Group owns Avalon Airport – and the Phillip Island race circuit).
Full statement from KA is below. A State Government press release is HERE.
KARTING AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS VICTORIA’S PROPOSED NEW HOME OF MOTORSPORT
Karting Australia supports today’s announcement that Melbourne’s Avalon Airport has been selected as the preferred site for Victoria’s proposed new Home of Motorsport.
Located 45 minutes west of Melbourne’s CBD, the venue serves a catchment of more than 3.3 million people, with easy access from both wider Melbourne and the rapidly growing Geelong region.
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Karting has a long and proud history in Victoria dating back to the first National Karting Championship being held in Seymour in 1963. Over the years, the state has produced some of the best young talents in Australian motorsport – including seven-time Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup and current Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri.
“Motorsport is a great Victorian passion and pastime for many, and it also supports thousands of jobs and delivers significant economic benefits to our state,” said Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos.
“A Home of Motorsport at Avalon would inspire and encourage the development of up-and-coming drivers in their efforts to become household names like local heroes Oscar Piastri and Cameron Waters.”
Karting Australia Management recently joined fellow members of the Australian Motorsport Council in a briefing with experienced administrator Tim Bamford, who has also been appointed as the venue’s designated project director.
“A Home of Motorsport in Victoria is something that all disciplines of motorsport have been yearning for across a lengthy period. Such a project will enable all motorsport, not just karting, to grow its participation and competition for the benefit of all,” said Karting Australia Chief Executive Officer Kelvin O’Reilly.
“The geographic location of the venue ensures that there is an incredible reach, not just now but for decades to come, and will provide a long-term solution for motorsport competitors from grassroots right up to the professional level.”
As planning progresses, further detail about the scope of the project will be provided. It is anticipated that the venue would feature both four and two-wheeled motorsport activities and host grassroots, state, national and international level events and be used year-round.
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