1.00pm
Rotorua is aiming to grab worldwide attention by building a $1.5 million international class karting track at Off Road NZ.
Plans are underway for Rotorua to bid for the 2007 Rotax Max world championships, an international karting event that would, if the bid is successful, see thousands of competitors, crew and
spectators flooding into the city.
The week-long event, which at present is hosted only by European countries, is expected to bring $5 million into the Rotorua economy.
The new track at Mamaku will be the first purpose-built international kart racing venue in New Zealand and will allow the city to bid for national and international racing series meets every year.
The announcement of the new track, made at this week's Trenz (Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand) tourism trade show in Christchurch, follows Rotorua winning its bid to host the 2006 International Cycling Union Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships.
It is anticipated the mountain biking events will attract more than 13,000 competitors, spectators, media and officials from 50 countries.
Rotorua's economy can expect to reap more than $9 million from the event, which will be based in forest on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha.
The announcement about the proposed new karting development was accompanied by a warning to the Rotorua District Council from Off Road NZ director Ian Tew, who said it would be impossible for the city to stage world events without an international airport.
Tew said the development of a transTasman service was crucial if the city wanted to successfully bid for such events.
"It is essential not just for us but for the whole of Rotorua."
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
