Bathurst circuit

A step closer

THE TENDER to design a new permanent circuit at Bathurst has been awarded to UK company Apex Circuit Design. Bathurst Regional Council (BRC) conducted a tender process involving Apex, Australian company Integrated Event Delivery Management, and Italian operation Dromo. Apex will submit plans for “a state-of-the-art 4.58km FIA/FIM accredited circuit situated on an area of land west of McPhillamy Park and Reid Park.” BRC’s statement added, “Confirmation of the successful candidate to design the track is the latest step in bringing the $52 million project to fruition. Apex Circuit Design has extensive experience in motor track design and the company has designed and delivered some of the best motor sports tracks around the world. Bringing Apex on board with this project allows us to get this design right, to make the second circuit a world renowned facility, as iconic in the world of motorsports as the existing Mount Panorama circuit.” $25 million has been provided for the project (known as Velocity Park), $15 million from the NSW Government and $10 million from the Federal Government. BRC has also confirmed that Apex Circuit Design will have 84 weeks to create a detailed circuit design approved by both the FIA and FIM governing bodies. Mount Panorama Second Track group spokesman Lachlan Sullivan said, “The second circuit is set to make way for motorcycles to again race in Bathurst, which has been dubbed the original home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix which was held in nearby Yetholme in 1914. The track will be located to the south of the existing iconic track which hosts the Bathurst 1000 each year. It will be complemented by other plans for a go-karting track with the precinct set up to host events every week of the year for a variety of motorsports, expected to host 50,000 spectators at any one time.”