Australian GP looks into venue change
 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/ava...-1225835105704

A PLAN to move the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix to a purpose-built, $200 million race circuit at Avalon is being considered in an attempt to keep the event in Victoria. Linfox director Andrew Fox told the Sunday Herald Sun his family was prepared to foot the $200 million to build the circuit, meaning taxpayers would not be left to shoulder the cost. i hope this does not mean the end of phillip island race track
http://www.linfox.com/About-Linfox/O...usinesses.aspx
Linfox Property Group

Linfox Property Group manages property leasing to support the Logistics operations across the Asia Pacific region. The Property Group also owns the Phillip Island Grand Prix Racetrack, the home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

That would be a shame. We'll end up with another Tilke-drome when we already have the unique venue of Albert Park.

If it gets moved the only place I'd want it to go to is Adelaide (providing they fix the track, as I believe it uses a shorter layout these days, but all the old streets are still there surely!).

Although if they did that they'd need to move it to the last race of the season.

http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/styles/World/icons/icon14.gif

Adelaide was always a great race, it was stupid to leave the place.

ever heard of the phrase 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'?

Mr fox, please, just let the event be kept at melbourne. its a great location and maybe a flat track, but i think its interesting

I agree, what exactly was wrong with Adelaide?

Back then it was one of my most favourite tracks

I like many Australian tracks that have been used over the years. I wouldn't mind the GP at one of the old stock circuits like: Adelaide, Bathurst (what an experience that would be!), Philip Island or Oran Park (does that even still exist?).

But another new track isn't a good move in my opinion as there is already a good selection to choose from.

Should certainly stay at Albert Park or be moved back to Adelaide IMO. We don't need a change of venue to another middle of the road track, we have to very atmospheric circuits already. As UltimateDan GTR said: If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Australia does seem to have plenty of tracks to choose from, and I see no reason to leave Albert Park. We may be forgetting Bernie's hand in all this though, Melbourne said no to a night race, maybe a purpose built track would give him what he wants?

Why poking around if things are alright?

Could it be because the hypothetic new track offers more money to Mr. Bernie "The-Personification-of-Greed" Ecclestone?

Sorry, I went too far with that of personification...

It´s more like a Dwarfication.

On the subject of Bathurst, I seem to recall a plan that wqould have created a shorter GP layout that utilised some parts of the great track but skipped bits that were unsuitable (the mountain) - or was I high and that never happened? You decide.

Bernie seems to have set his sights on Oz now that his personal war with Silverstone is over - for now! It started with his push for a new start time and he has been making noises about leaving Albert Park.

Much as I don't want the GP to leave the Park (I said as much about Adelaide) if its that or no Australian GP I'll plump for a new track.

I have to agree that if its a change of venue or no Oz GP I choose the former.
I just hope it doesn't come to that.

I have driven round the old Adelaide street Circuit,Albert Park in South Melbourne,and also Bathurst.i consider Bathurst too far away from Sydney,or any large town for the spectators ,plus Mount Panorama is not for F1 cars,plus the rest of the circuit is not testing enough.Adelaide would be good again,but is a flat street circuit,that is still marked by the red and white kerbs,BUT what is wrong with Albert Park? I dont think a change would provide any thing better

We already have enough good circuits as it is.

Wouldn't mind seeing F1 cars around Phillip Island though!

Is this story credible?

To build a purpose circuit at Avalon, you'd need to buy up lots of land. The only place conceivably where that could be possible would be on the eastern side of Pousties Rd, across the street from the airport, on the Point Wilson side.

Secondly, how would anyone make a venue like this pay? I mean other circuits like Calder and Sandown aren't exactly runaway commercial successes are they? Unless of course there are plans to upgrade Avalon airport and use the facilities as extra runways and whatnot.

Phillip Island is an already excellent venue. Presumably it's harder to get an FIM accreditation than an FIA one, so why not "upgrade" it?

Let's not wreck the island by adapting it for f1! Its a great bike track but would be ruined if altered to F1 standards.

all the land is all ready owned by the one that wants to build the new race track

Linfox operates airports at Avalon . Avalon is also home to the Australian International Airshow

They'd put tarmac all over Phillip Island, and it would be a great shame. Bathurst would never happen unless they bulldozed the mountain, and Oran Park got its final send-off with the V8 Supercars not that long ago. It was sold to developers.

Basically the choice of existing circuits is either Albert Park or Adelaide. Or overseas.

I have no faith in circuit designers based on new F1 tracks. Especially considering that the proposed location of this circuit is as flat as a tack.

As far as road courses in Australia go, I'm trying to imagine F1 at Lobethal, South Australia. Hosted the Australian Grand Prix once upon a time.

http://theracingline.net/racingcircu...a/Lobethal.gif

Laps were 13.8km. Yikes. http://theracingline.net/racingcircu...hal/index.html

No I remember. What a stupid idea that was. Racing on the Mount Panorama track without actually racing on the mountain would be like trying to have sex with all your clothes on. It totally misses the point.

Linfox owns Avalon airport, correct but as far as I understand it, the land on the other side of Pousties Rd is owned by the Commonwealth and forms part of its East Coast Armament Complex or some such.

Certainly the last time I went to Melbourne flying Jetstar, there were Dept of Defence signs up.