Gold Coast link in Bathurst track buy
GOLD Coast real estate agent Mark Stafford was relaxing at home on a Sunday night when his eyes stopped on a property listing at Australia’s home of motor racing, Mount Panorama.
Located on Conrod Straight, the fastest stretch of the Bathurst circuit in NSW, Mr Stafford knew in an instant exactly who the new owner would be.
The Ray White Broadbeach agent fired off a text to his friend and client of 20 years Kenny Habul, whose lifelong passion for motor sports made him an ideal candidate for the rare Mount Panorama holding, on the market for the first time in 88 years.
“I just knew straight away when I saw it – Kenny is the perfect guy for this property,” Mr Stafford said. “It just ticked all the boxes.”
A former student at Merrimac State High School and later Bond University where he studied law, Mr Habul now lives in the US where he owns the fifth largest private solar company, SunEnergy1.
When he’s not blazing trails in the renewable energy world, the professional driver is racing, sponsoring and collecting fast cars.
Mr Habul’s connection to Bathurst stems back to the early 90s when he swept floors in the workshop of Aussie motor racing legend Peter Brock, a relationship which sparked his passion motor racing. The last car Brock won Bathurst in is among 150 in his collection.
“He had those meetings with Peter Brock as young fellow so living on Mount Panorama has always been a dream for him,” Mr Stafford said.
Mr Habul was quick to give the green light for Mr Stafford to negotiate a deal on 489 Conrod Straight, with an offer of $1.6 million sealing the deal a month later.
Held by the Clarke family for generations, the 6.8ha property is also home to a historic orchard which is famed for producing some of the best fruit in the region.
While a picturesque farm with fresh fruit for the picking no doubt holds big appeal for the Habuls’ four children, the proximity to Mount Panorama is the main attraction.
“He plans to leave a car there so when he flies in, he can get out on the track when it’s open for practice,” Mr Stafford said. “There a road at the rear of the property which leads directly to the pits.”
As a former partner in Habul Brothers Luxury Home Construction, Mr Habul will draw on his background in luxury home development on the Gold Coast to generate plans for a spectacular new residence on the property.
“He plans to build something significant which will be a legacy for the Habul family name in Bathurst for years to come,” Mr Stafford said.
“It will be quite special.”