...Tassie...on the map ;-/ ...until 2010...

[retro]

link

THE future of V8 Supercar racing in Tasmania has been secured until 2010 thanks to a $300,000-a-year State Government deal.

[peckstar]

i was just checking out a map of tassie the other day

[hml2777]

Whiles State Governments keeping throwing Dollar$ at AVESCO, the future of permanent tracks is looking very doubtful.

[storyline]

Besides the V8's, how often does Symmons Plains get used annually these days?

[Kerri]

Well I know in 2006 the new CAMS Series will be there in April

[storyline]

Still isn't very promising for LOCAL motor sport though, is it? What LOCAL race meetings are being run there these days? (the national series has yet to take to the track)

[JABWOA]

The track sees use through the Tas state round (which has benefited from the V8's in more officials) plus other small meetings.

[storyline]

The track has, according to Natsoft, only had 3 race meetings this year - V8's and two Octagon meetings in March and October - not a used track really is it?

[Rombles1]

Geez, some people are never satisfied - at least it is not a street circuit - then everyone would be complaining about it! (except for all the non-hardcore fans who would rock up!)

[storyline]

Not satisfied? Would you be satisfied with a track that is only used 3 times a year - and one of those it is for the V8's? Instead of plowing government money into a series that is already overly subscribed with money wouldn't you (or anyone) rather see it benefit the local racing scene? (And yes, sure some work will benefit the local scene but history has shown us that most government money poured into circuits does not benefit the club or local racer).

[Raglanparade]

Would u suggest that maybe it would be more beneficial for the funding to go to the Baskerville circuit which is on the outskirts of Hobart ??

Ive always thought its a better circuit anyway !!

[philneast]

One of the problems with getting people to use the track was its poor condition.

Symmons had lost approval by the motorcycle people as they condered it unsafe.

As part of the upgrade program a special section has been added that specifically adresses the motocycle issues. As a result later this month the are holding the first motorcycle meeting for some time.

One of th epertennial issues is the state of national highway one. It is not too bad from Melbourne heading north but there is a big puddle when you take teh turn to Tassie.

For anything other than a passenger car or caravan it starts to get very expensive
compared to equivilent distance travelled on the northern route.

[storyline]

jason - from a club level perspective - yes I would (one of the reasons I was so totally againast ANY government funding going to Bathurst - not one cent benefitted run of the mill motor sport).

[Raglanparade]

I just think it makes more sense to have the V8 race in Hobart

[storyline]

Around the Shot Tower? Maybe some of it could be used on the track to make things more interesting!

[hml2777]

Originally Posted by storyline

jason - from a club level perspective - yes I would (one of the reasons I was so totally againast ANY government funding going to Bathurst - not one cent benefitted run of the mill motor sport).

That reads like a RN/RT statement if ever I heard one!

[storyline]

(Hmmm something happened to previous reply)

Not necessarily - there are quite a few people that believe govt funding of racetracks such as Mt Panorama should not be happening. Even some at the offices in Dandenong Road but they won't say anything publicly.

Look at the tracks that do receive govt funding/grants - Phillip Island, Mt Panorama, QLD Raceway to an extent, Hidden Valley - then compare these to those that don't and look at the way some of these other tracks are starting to look quite shabby and run down simply because they don't have access to these funds.

And as for having the same views as RT - sure do - but, like I said - so do quite a few other people.

[JABWOA]

Funding Bathurst to that extent was silly as motorsport can't benefit due to the nature of the track itself (unless the pits can be used for indoor sport so the greater community benefits ala Albert Park.)

However, Symmons Plains has benefited greatly. Full Resurface, works to improve safety (both racing and officials), track works to get bikes back (which looks speccy), more officials, better garages, more interest by community. Hopefully the Tassie motorsport scene will revive.

Plus just because there's no internet timing available doesn't mean an event wasn't held.

[storyline]

Results - not timing aren't available period. Maybe other meetings are being held there but they appear to be so secret no one outside of Launceston knows about them - does that help the local motorsport scene when there is no publicity for them at all?

[hml2777]

And what about some funding for the only CLUB owned (fully fledged, all setup to race) track in Australia!!! That would be novel.

It would certainly help out heaps, may even help get back the SuperTaxi's