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IT’S hard to imagine any circumstance that could prevent a development application for a go-kart track at Alec Lamberton Field being approved.
Bathurst Regional Council is currently assessing the DA and, despite some concerns from nearby residents about noise and possible air pollution, none of these issues appears insurmountable.
And that’s exciting for Bathurst, and for the region’s reputation as Australia’s motor racing capital.
The go-kart DA comes before council as work continues on plans for a speedway track at Raglan and advocates of a second track at Mount Panorama add to their impressive list of high-profile supporters.
And that’s why a go-kart track will win support within the council chambers.
Every regional centre needs something to set them apart from the crowd and motor racing is Bathurst’s “thing”.
Every Australian already associates our region with Mount Panorama and the Bathurst 1000, so it makes sense for us to build on that reputation.
If anything, these latest developments are long overdue. Despite being home to Mount Panorama, Bathurst does not have a great history of developing champion racing drivers.
The fact Mount Panorama is a 60km/h road for most weeks of the year obviously doesn’t help in the development of racers, but dedicated go-kart and speedway circuits could change all that.
These tracks would create real pathways for local drivers and attract the best young talent from across the state for them to compete against.
And, who knows, one day we might see a Bathurst born and bred driver lifting the Peter Brock Trophy on that great day in October.
It’s a dream well worth investing in.