V8 Grand prix stalls

WA HAS lost another major sporting event with the State Government refusing to commit funds to a V8 Supercar Grand Prix proposed for the Perth CBD.

The collapse of the V8 Grand Prix bid signals the probable end of V8 Supercar racing in WA.

The Australian V8 Supercar Company wants at least $300,000 to consider maintaining the event at Barbagallo Raceway.

The probable loss of the V8 series follows the departure of the Heineken Golf Classic that will be played at the Vines Resort for the last time next year before moving to Victoria.

Perth V8 Supercar Grand Prix proposer Michael Rasheed said he was trying to broker a deal to at least keep the V8s at Barbagallo.

The WA Sporting Car Club is offering $100,000 and Mr Rasheed wants a $200,000 contribution from the WA Government.

Mr Rasheed had asked the Government for a $20.75 million contribution to stage the V8 Grand Prix for five years.

He said the event would bring a $66 million economic impact to Perth over that time.

Tourism Minister Norman Moore said the Government thought the funding sought for the Perth Grand Prix was too high for what the event would generate.

“WA already has Rally Australia, an international motor sport event, which generated more than $23 million in economic impact and cost the Government $3.25 million to conduct,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Rasheed said it appeared the WA Government had “tipped a bucket of money into keeping Rally Australia”.

“There doesn’t seem to be any money for anything else,” he said.

Perth City Councillor Laurance Goodman said the loss of the V8 Grand Prix was very disappointing.

“If Canberra can do it, so can we,” Mr Goodman said.

“We say we’re good at running events and want the city to come alive yet when an opportunity comes along, we turn it down.”