THE Northern Territory government decision to provide a staggering $1 million in funding to the Katherine speedway was based on the “economic boost” the investment will provide for the town, according to the Member for Katherine.
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Ecstatic Katherine Motor Sports Club members met at the facility on April 17 to hear Willem Westra van Holthe announce that the organisation was set to receive the funding, which will be used to upgrade the speedway’s track, crash wall and fencing.
The mammoth funding allocation follows an earlier Territory government investment of $4.45m to upgrade motorsport facilities in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
Mr Westra van Holthe defended the enormity of the Katherine investment and said he believed it would have a flow-on effect for the community.
“I think, sometimes, regional motorsports is a little underdone, you know,” he said.
“But in recognition of the importance motorsports play across the whole Territory, this money is being allocated to do the necessary work to get our grounds up to speed.
“This is a long-term plan, I guess, to make motorsport sustainable right across the Territory, and to really boost the economies of places like Katherine and so forth.”
KMSC president Sarah Bretheron said upgrading the existing speedway facilities would allow the club to host higher classes of racing, including sprint cars and Formula 500.
“Once all the infrastructure is in place, we hope to bring the sprint cars to visit, which used to be a massive drawcard years ago, when the speedway was up and running full on,” she explained.
“We’re also looking towards holding Australian titles.
“It can be a massive turn-out for the town and a great way to promote the town.”
While no specific time frame is in place for the upgrades to be completed, Mr Westra van Holthe said he had no doubt the $1m investment would be “great for our community”.
“We know that motorsports enthusiasts and drivers love coming to Katherine,” he said.
“I’ve heard that myself, speaking to drivers who visit here.”