V8's return to Barbagallo Raceway in 2011
New 5 yr contract just signed.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1225902434861
Quote:
V8 Supercars will return to Barbagallo raceway in Western Australia after a five-year deal was announced on Saturday.
This year's event at the track was dumped in February, with then V8 Supercars acting chief executive Shane Howard labelling the circuit's facilities as "third-world".
The new deal to bring Australia's premier motorsport series to Western Australia, announced by WA premier Colin Barnett, includes a promise to provide "significant upgrades" to the circuit.
V8 Supercars said those upgrades would include a new pit lane and pit lane facility, as well as "significant ongoing works" throughout the length of the agreement.
Chairman of V8 Supercars Tony Cochrane hailed the news, which means the championship will once again feature across Australia from 2011 onward.
"Western Australia is now assured of having a world class V8 Supercar event and the continued growth of motorsport in the state," Cochrane said.
"I am absolutely delighted that Premier Barnett and his government have made this significant ongoing commitment to motorsport and V8 Supercars.
"We are very much looking forward to seeing Barbagallo upgraded in the coming years and truly holding its own as a great motorsport venue."
Announcing the revival of the event in Perth on Saturday, Premier Colin Barnett said it was great news for motor sports enthusiasts in WA who were disappointed it had to be cancelled last year.
The funding boost is on top of a recent allocation of $5 million for facility and track upgrades to Barbagallo Raceway at Wanneroo in Perth's north.
Mr Barnett said the government's Eventscorp had undertaken a new partnership with V8 Supercars Australia and the WA Sporting Car Club to promote the event nationally and internationally.
He said the agreement for the WA government to be directly involved in funding and promoting the event would ensure the series continued in WA over the next five years from May 2011.
"That will be great news for all those passionate supporters of Holden and Ford who always love to go to the event.
"Over 70,000 have attended in the past, I hope we will see even bigger crowds," Mr Barnett said.
Reigning Bathurst champion and the only man from Western Australia to win a V8 Supercars driver's title, Garth Tander, was pleased to see his home state back on the calendar after missing out this year.
"Missing out in 2010 was not a good result for anyone but a little short term pain for a long term gain of a five-year agreement and a massive works program is not only good for us but all of West Australian motorsport," he said.
Next year's race at Barbagallo will feature a unique three-race 120km format, with a date yet to be confirmed.
