Location Selected For Victoria’s ‘Home Of Motorsport’
Article from Motorsport Australia, Saturday 15 April, 2023 – view here
Melbourne’s Avalon Airport has been selected as the preferred site for Victoria’s proposed new Home of Motorsport.
Located 45 minutes west of Melbourne’s CBD, the venue serves a catchment of more than 3.3 million people, with easy access from both wider Melbourne and the rapidly growing Geelong region.
Avalon is now a fast-growing hub, with expansion of the site planned across a number of projects, including the proposed Home of Motorsport.
Victoria has a long and proud motorsport history which has previously been underpinned by a world class network of venues. The Home of Victorian Motorsport vision ensures the state’s ability to host major events and support industry development activities can be maintained.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos welcomed today’s news.
“Motorsport is a great Victorian passion and pastime for many, and it also supports thousands of jobs and delivers significant economic benefits to our state,” Dimopoulos said.
“A Home of Motorsport at Avalon would inspire and encourage the development of up-and-coming drivers in their efforts to become household names like local heroes Oscar Piastri and Cameron Waters.”
Member for Lara Ella George said Avalon would be a strong choice for any future venue.
“We’re backing the Home of Motorsport to be established at Avalon because we know the major economic and sporting benefits it will deliver to our local community.”
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said Avalon was the perfect location for this project and would significantly change motorsport in Victoria.
“Delivering a Home of Motorsport in Victoria would not only fulfill one of Motorsport Australia’s key infrastructure goals, but it also enables the sport to grow its participation and competition with a reliable state venue,” Arocca said.
“Motorsport is very popular here in Victoria, however the state has been lagging behind due to a lack of accessible venues from the grassroots up to the professional level. A Home of Motorsport would solve this problem and will serve the Victorian motorsport community for many years to come.”
Experienced administrator Tim Bamford has also been appointed as the venue’s designated project director, with initial planning on multi-purpose facility now well underway.
Melbourne Avalon Airport CEO Tony Brun said the selection of Avalon was a terrific opportunity for the region.
“We have been selected as the preferred site for the proposed Home of Motorsport in Victoria, a decision based on Motorsport Australia’s existing participation base, proximity to transport and logistics infrastructure, and the site’s potential for significant development,” Brun said.
“The attraction of the precinct for major public events and travel shows the further need for the establishment of a train station connecting the site to Melbourne and greater Victoria. We look forward to assisting the teams from Motorsport Australia and the Victorian State Government as the site planning stage of the proposed project gets underway.”
As planning progresses, further detail about the scope of the project will be provided. It is anticipated that the venue would feature both four and two-wheeled motorsport activities and host grassroots, state, national and international level events and be used year-round.