The push for funding to build a second track has been taken to state and federal parliament, with Bathurst Regional Council seeking a three-tier approach to make the dream a reality.

The proposal is for $20 million in funding  from the federal government, $20 million from the state and $10 million from council.

But in national media on the weekend it was reported that Bathurst had “lost its bid to host the MotoGP and Superbike World Champion-ship” to Phillip Island in Victoria.

Bathurst deputy mayor Ian North told the Western Advocate yesterday such claims were simply not true.

 “Bathurst made no formal bid to host the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships, but these are the types of events council would hope to attract if and when a second circuit is constructed at Mount Panorama,” he said.

When completed, the planned second circuit area, to be named Velocity Park, will host a range of events including races, manufacturers’ testing days and car club meets.

Associated industrial and commercial infrastructure will be built for businesses to relocate to the precinct.

“Council is continuing to push for development of the second circuit and the associated business park and will continue to lobby state and federal governments for funding for the project,” Cr North said.

“Government is supportive of council’s bid for the project and we will continue to push ahead with our plans to continue to develop the Mount Panorama precinct.”

While angry the national media report led readers to believe Bathurst had put in a bid for the motorbike races, Mount Panorama Second Circuit Action Group member Robert “Stumpy” Taylor said it would not change his focus.

“How can you put in a bid when you don’t even have a track?” he asked.

 Mr Taylor said another world-class circuit is needed in NSW.

“The race track we are building is not just for cars and bikes, we’re looking at road safety and driver education days,” he said.

Once funding was granted, he said the track could be completed within two to three years.

“Then that gives us only seven to wait and that’s when we can build infrastructure,” Mr Taylor said.