Bathurst is aiming to become the home of motorsport in Australia with a plan to pinch world championship motorcycling events from Phillip Island.
The Bathurst Regional Council is planning to build a second circuit at the iconic Mt Panorama facility, with an eye on hosting MotoGP and World Superbike championshipevents.The second circuit is set to be built on the eastern side of Conrod Straight and take in some aspects of the existing Mt Panorama track.
Bathurst mayor Gary Rush has told motorsports website Speedcafe.com to make the new circuit viable, the town wants to add motorbike racing to its calendar.
"It's pretty well known that we would be keen to get two wheel racing back here to Bathurst," Rush said.
"The Superbikes and the MotoGP both being held at Phillip Island; we are very keen to get our hands on both of those events."
Phillip Island has been the home of Australia's World Superbike Championship round since 1990 (missing one year in 1993) and will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event later this month.
The Victorian track also hosted its first MotoGP race in 1989 and has been the regular home of the championship in Australia since 1997.
MotoGP rider Marc Marquez is reigning MotoGP champion. Photo / AP
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit managing director Fergus Cameron said he was confident the circuit had the history, location and setting to ward off any competitors.
"We see that arrangement extending well into the future," Cameron told AAP.
"We wish Bathurst all the best for their project. It sounds pretty exciting to build another project up there and I hope it goes well for them.
"The other thing that needs to be considered is Phillip Island is highly regarded by the motorcycle fraternity, riders, whatever as being one of the best, if not the best, motorcycle circuit in the world."
Rush said Bathurst council would be hoping to allocate funds for land acquisition in its next budget to push ahead with its second circuit proposal.
