MOUNT Panorama’s reputation as a mecca for motor sport could be in for a further boost.
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The iconic venue could become the home of the city’s first go-kart track, with land in McPhillamy Park being touted as having potential for its location.
Bathurst Regional Council has confirmed it is in discussions with interested parties regarding the venture.
However, director of corporate services and finance Bob Roach would not confirm rumours of that location being favoured.
He did say the topic of a new track was definitely on the table.
“At the moment council is certainly talking with the Bathurst Kart Club,” he said.
“It hasn’t gone much past that and we are looking at possible venues.”
Bathurst Kart Club secretary Darren Hamilton wouldn’t go into too many details about their recent discussions with council, but was happy to highlight what he would like to see happen in the future.
At this stage, the Bathurst Kart Club has the ability to hire other kart tracks, but without a track of its own it puts a lot of strain on the club.
The club is aiming for a track of approximately one to 1.1 kilometres in length to be built at the top of Mount Panorama, behind McPhillamy Park, incorporating track features such as bends, drops and straights.
Mr Hamilton said Mount Panorama offered a lot of opportunities, particularly with its reputation on the national and international stage.
“It is advertised and built as the home of Australian motor sport, so it would be really suited to having a go-kart track,” he said.
Mr Hamilton wants to see “the best track possible” built to international requirements that will provide the opportunity to hold state and national title events in Bathurst.
He said the track could also bring opportunities to the region for private business and hire kart facilities.
Ultimately, council will decide whether building a track is viable.
“We have a lot of support from Bathurst Regional Council and they have plans,” Mr Hamilton said.
If the decision to build a track is made, it could take several years before it will be available for use.
“We just want to make sure we get it done quickly and do it right the first time,” Mr Hamilton said.