Contact Us
04-04-2007, 07:45pm
I copied this from QMRF damn i hope it goes through we definately need something like this in south east Queenlsnad since all they have done over the last few years is to shut all the tracks down and force us onto the streets and mountains
Taken from todays Courier mail
A FIELD near the Gold Coast will become the epicentre of motorsport in the southern hemisphere with a proposed $650 million complex set to lure the world's top racing.
The project involves building a motorsport enclave on canefields on 400ha near Norwell, between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and is expected to inject millions into the Queensland economy and create 5000 jobs.
Analysis: Is this Queensland's motoring mecca?
It is also a bold bid to wrest Formula One from Melbourne.
``This project is what we have needed for a long time ... we need something more than just club venues," race legend Dick Johnson said.
``Queensland is starved for motor racing, and this will be a world-class facility that is not just about motor-racing events but about the whole business around it.''
A world-class international motor racing complex is only weeks away from final approval.
The project is called i-METT (Integrated Motorsport Education Tourism and Technology).
Its first big event, a leg of the World Rally Championship, has already been sealed with Rally Australia, blasting off from the Gilberton-Norwell site, 38km south of Brisbane, from September next year.
There also is a compelling case for Formula One to be lured away from Melbourne's Albert Park circuit, which costs the Victorian Government tens of millions of dollars each year.
Project bosses say the complex has been designed so that major events do not have to be underwritten by the state.
Rally Australia was staged in Perth from the late 1980s until last year, however, it is believed the event cost the WA Government more than $8 million a year to underwrite.
It is understood the Beattie Government will not be burdened with the cost of hosting the world rally championship.
There is a big push for the Australian F1 Grand Prix to be run under lights so it can be televised at a more user-friendly time back to Europe and cash in on a greater television audience.
However, transforming the Albert Park layout for night racing would require a substantial cost.
The Gilberton-Norwell circuit, which will be built by acclaimed German track designer Hermann Tilke, will be wired with the latest in flood-lighting technology from the beginning.
The company behind the complex says it would welcome any major international events.
But the project has not been designed to rely on big race meetings for its survival.
"We are not about stealing events from people, however, if the Grand Prix people want to talk then we would welcome that," i-METT managing director Ron Brown said.
"The way the motor sport complex is being set up, it doesn't have to rely on government money or big events for sustainability.
``It is a business park where a lot of things will be going on seven days a week so it's much more than just a motor racing circuit.'"
The land is now used by sugar cane farmers, who the developers have been working with to secure tracts suitable for the project. It is understood that land acquisition is about 90 per cent complete.
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said the Government was well aware of i-METT's plans.
"The Norwell/Rocky Point canelands area is to be the subject of a land planning review," she said.
"Only until after that would that area be considered for any possible change in use."
The review process is expected to start soon but could take a year.
Champ Car would be welcome, however it is difficult to see the Queensland Government or the North American-based series managers wanting to shift the massively successful open wheeler formula from the streets of Surfers Paradise.
i-METT says the economic benefit of motor sport cannot be ignored.
The company cites a British Government survey that says motor racing in England accounts for $8.2billion a year that makes it that country's fifth largest export earner and which is bigger than the agricultural and steel industries combined.
Taken from todays Courier mail
A FIELD near the Gold Coast will become the epicentre of motorsport in the southern hemisphere with a proposed $650 million complex set to lure the world's top racing.
The project involves building a motorsport enclave on canefields on 400ha near Norwell, between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and is expected to inject millions into the Queensland economy and create 5000 jobs.
Analysis: Is this Queensland's motoring mecca?
It is also a bold bid to wrest Formula One from Melbourne.
``This project is what we have needed for a long time ... we need something more than just club venues," race legend Dick Johnson said.
``Queensland is starved for motor racing, and this will be a world-class facility that is not just about motor-racing events but about the whole business around it.''
A world-class international motor racing complex is only weeks away from final approval.
The project is called i-METT (Integrated Motorsport Education Tourism and Technology).
Its first big event, a leg of the World Rally Championship, has already been sealed with Rally Australia, blasting off from the Gilberton-Norwell site, 38km south of Brisbane, from September next year.
There also is a compelling case for Formula One to be lured away from Melbourne's Albert Park circuit, which costs the Victorian Government tens of millions of dollars each year.
Project bosses say the complex has been designed so that major events do not have to be underwritten by the state.
Rally Australia was staged in Perth from the late 1980s until last year, however, it is believed the event cost the WA Government more than $8 million a year to underwrite.
It is understood the Beattie Government will not be burdened with the cost of hosting the world rally championship.
There is a big push for the Australian F1 Grand Prix to be run under lights so it can be televised at a more user-friendly time back to Europe and cash in on a greater television audience.
However, transforming the Albert Park layout for night racing would require a substantial cost.
The Gilberton-Norwell circuit, which will be built by acclaimed German track designer Hermann Tilke, will be wired with the latest in flood-lighting technology from the beginning.
The company behind the complex says it would welcome any major international events.
But the project has not been designed to rely on big race meetings for its survival.
"We are not about stealing events from people, however, if the Grand Prix people want to talk then we would welcome that," i-METT managing director Ron Brown said.
"The way the motor sport complex is being set up, it doesn't have to rely on government money or big events for sustainability.
``It is a business park where a lot of things will be going on seven days a week so it's much more than just a motor racing circuit.'"
The land is now used by sugar cane farmers, who the developers have been working with to secure tracts suitable for the project. It is understood that land acquisition is about 90 per cent complete.
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said the Government was well aware of i-METT's plans.
"The Norwell/Rocky Point canelands area is to be the subject of a land planning review," she said.
"Only until after that would that area be considered for any possible change in use."
The review process is expected to start soon but could take a year.
Champ Car would be welcome, however it is difficult to see the Queensland Government or the North American-based series managers wanting to shift the massively successful open wheeler formula from the streets of Surfers Paradise.
i-METT says the economic benefit of motor sport cannot be ignored.
The company cites a British Government survey that says motor racing in England accounts for $8.2billion a year that makes it that country's fifth largest export earner and which is bigger than the agricultural and steel industries combined.
![[Image: Resizeofbusa005.jpg]](http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f175/HAYABUSA-ROD/Resizeofbusa005.jpg)