hey guys heard on the radio today that official talks with bob jane and john brumby have gone ahead about a potential multi million dollar upgrade to calder or weather they wil go ahead with the potential new track to be built out at avalon!
The article in the paper today said that they were going to look in to it with a study to upgrade to an international level dragway and possible useage would include F1.
I cbf finding the link on the net but it's a good thing!!
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Originally Posted by PROGMH
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The article in the paper today said that they were going to look in to it with a study to upgrade to an international level dragway and possible useage would include F1.
I cbf finding the link on the net but it's a good thing!!
Thats correct so upgrading or building a new arena is on the menu for drag racing. Thanks for clearing it up PROGMH.
Hows this in todays paper!!
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UPDATE 1.23pm: DRAG racing is the priority for a study into a Calder Park upgrade, not Formula One, Premier John Brumby says.
The State Government, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and Calder Park owner Bob Jane have signed an agreement to investigate options for a motor racing track that would meet the approval of the FIA, the governing body of grands prix.
Motor racing groups and Bob Jane say a new track should be capable of holding all types of motor racing events.
And CAMS - the governing body for motor racing in Australia - is also looking at options for a potential circuit in Avalon.
But Premier John Brumby said the chances of a Grand Prix being held at Calder Park were "as close to zero as you could get".
"We are working with Bob Jane and the Federation in relation to motor sports," Mr Brumby said.
"That's really to look at, particularly at Calder Park, there might be an opportunity there for other forms of motor racing, particularly drag racing," Mr Brumby said.
Mr Brumby said Albert Park was the home of Grand Prix in Melbourne.
"We have got a track, we have got it established there at Albert Park," he said.
"I know there's debate in the community and there's not 100 per cent support for Albert Park but what it does do is showcase our state very well indeed, and we have no intention of changing that location."
His comments come after the Herald Sun reported a new motor racing circuit capable of hosting a Formula One grand prix could be built at Calder Park or Avalon.
The push for a new or upgraded track could allow the loss-making GP to be moved from Albert Park once its contract expires in 2015.
FIA chiefs will fly into Melbourne to assess how Calder could hold international drag racing or other motor racing events - including F1.
Meanwhile CAMS is looking at the potential for an Avalon circuit to hold world-standard motor racing events.
Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker and the State Government have dismissed moving the GP from Albert Park, despite a loss of almost $50 million this year.
The Government has a contract with Mr Ecclestone until 2015 to run a twilight race, but pressure is building on the event after losses of $130 million over three years.
Bob Jane, who famously brought the Grand Prix to Melbourne in the 1980s before it moved to Adelaide, said an upgrade of Calder Park would make the GP accessible.
"We (Calder Park) have got a permit from the old days in the 1980s to run the Formula One here," Mr Jane said.
"I know they are happy at Albert Park. But in the future there has to be options, and at the moment there are none."
Mr Jane confirmed an agreement between him, the State Government and CAMS to look at suitable options for a world-class circuit.
A motor racing source said there had been no direct call from the Government to find a new GP venue post-2015.
Mr Walker said there was an option to extend the contract by five years after 2015 but it was up to the government of the day if it wanted to change location.
"The Government is happy to leave it at Albert Park because it showcases the city," Mr Walker said.
State Government spokesman Luke Enright said there were no plans to move the GP.
"The proximity of the Albert Park track to the city's hotels, restaurants and bars makes it ideal for spectators and highlights what a special place Melbourne is," he said.
And this is the best reply to the article, this guy knows what's going on.
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Frustrated of The nanny State Posted at 9:14 AM September 23, 2010
Great. lets give money to a man who backdoors events at a whim. Those with short memories wouldn't remember what happened to the last ANDRA event at Calder Park. He is a man with scattered thinking. You want to host events but won't pay for upgrades to your own facility. You expect those that want to use the facility, to pay for upgrades. There is a hole in the left staging lane surface at the drag strip that has not been fixed in 12months. You can give him 20+ million dollars to revamp the place to simply have him rule the roost to our disadvantage, or you, the Government, outlay 60+ million dollars and provide Victoria with a world class venue that will attract an annual revenue to the state of around 20 million dollars. Don't believe me. Get your hands on the unedited version of the first feasability study that was heavily censored by the Minister for Sport and Recreation. He was so opposed to the idea of a motorsport complex, that he commissioned a second study.
