Albany Motorsport Park open for business as first section of track laid but millions needed for completion

The first kilometre of track has been completed at the Albany Motorsport Park as the complex takes a small step towards the finish line – but still needs another $50m to reach the chequered flag. The new stretch of multi-use track on the northern circuit will allow the park to open for business, with driver training likely to be its main use until it can get a licence from Motorsport Australia to run competitions. However, already in the plans is a further 2.25km of track plus all the infrastructure and safety features required for racing – hence the need for another $50m. Scott Gardiner, chair of the Great Southern Motorplex Group, said the aim of creating the extended track was to reach national standards. “Because of the sums involved, we are relying heavily on State and Federal funding,” he said. “The design and the documentation are complete so as soon as we get the money, we can start. “Our priority is to build the track, which will be 12m wide so it will comply with national standards for Superbikes and Supercars.” The current asphalt is highway standard but will need to be upgraded to a racing surface. Work completed on the park so far has encompassed the Stage 1A motocross venue along with Stage 1B, the latest phase which includes the new asphalt. The plan for the park has been a long time in the pipeline, and what should have been enough money to complete the project in place as far back as 2018. However, operations manager Jack Fuller said the pandemic had intervened, sending costs rocketing. “The funding we had in place should have gone a long way towards completing the whole project, but COVID arrived, costs tripled, and the money didn’t go as far as it was meant to,” he said. The need to hit environmental targets also added to the bill, but Mr Fuller was hopeful the track could be home to several different clients until the next stage could be started. “We are looking for potential user groups like driver training, classic cars or even cycle clubs who want to get off the highway,” Mr Fuller said. “We are open to any creative ways we can use the property.”