ONE of Australia’s biggest private companies is sinking $100 million into motorsports with a South Australian multi-disciplined park set to open for business in April that will host events as diverse as V8 Supercars, go-karting, motorcycling and drag racing.

The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend – one hour’s drive east of Adelaide – centres on a racing circuit that complies with the latest FIA standards but, over its 730 hectares, also encompasses circuits for other motorsport pursuits, its own village of villas, a 4WD adventure park and a hotel that started taking bookings this week.

There are also plans for a 40 hectare industrial park.

Built on the former Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd proving grounds, the property has been bought by South Australia’s biggest private company Peregrine Corporation and designed to suit a wide audience of motor sport enthusiasts.

Peregrine director Dr Sam Shahin said the park would offer a unique experience for motorsport fans.

“This is truly revolutionary, not just for The Bend Motorsport Park, but for South Australia and motorsport in Australia,” he said.

“We anticipate The Bend Motorsport Park project will cost approximately $100 million, whilst injecting $236 million into the local economy annually and generating over 1500 jobs for the region.”

The Bend, Australia’s first new motorsport development for almost 20 years, is claimed to be the country’s only circuit that will comply with the latest FIA Grade 2 and FIM Category A standards.

It is 7.7km long – the world’s second longest after the Nurburgring – but easily segmented to offer eight tracks for different events including a 4.95km circuit for V8 Supercars, a 3.41km short course and 3.95km for driver training.

It also has a quarter-mile dragway that was designed in consultation with the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) to meet Group 1 drag racing standards, allowing for all forms of drag racing, including 9000hp, 530km/h Top Fuel monsters.

Peregrine spokesman John Clark said the company was “looking at everything in the way of motorsport events”.

“We have driver training facilities, drift courses, car displays, restaurants, bars, viewing platforms, 400 villas with car bays, caravan and camping sites – at 730 hectares, it’s bigger than some suburbs,” he said.

“The calendar is filling up. We have the Shannons national championship as our first event in the first week of April and then the Australian superbike international championships also in April. The V8 Supercars are here in August.”

He said this was Australia’s first new motorsport development since the Queensland Raceway in 1999.

South Australia also has the Mallala circuit that has historical significance to the state’s motorsport origins. But Mr Clark said The Bend’s multi-use facilities and focus on lifestyle as well as motorsport made it a completely different concept to Mallala.

The new development will also be home for The Rydges’ four-star Pit Lane Hotel now under construction by Peregrine and due to be open in April.

The hotel is Rydges’ second involvement in motorsport. The hotel chain operates Rydges Bathurst on the Mount Panorama race track, with uninterrupted views of Conrod Straight.

Rydges Pit Lane Hotel will have 100 rooms – from twin share, king rooms and suites – with a high level of insulation including double glazing to shield guests from the action, and balconies to bring them back in touch with the track action.

The hotel and pit building complex will have a gym, business centre, catering facilities, and a multi-room function centre to host from 20 to 600 people.

Rydges’ spokesman Stephen Howard said the addition of the hotel at The Bend would suit visitors using the huge range of facilities at the park.

He said there were peaks and troughs with occupancy in locations, citing Bathurst as being exceptionally busy during race events but still in demand in the off days because of its proximity to the Bathurst township.

He expected The Bend was likely to be less erratic because of the all-year-round nature of the park and the more family-focused activities.

The 4WD Adventure Park is 80 hectares in size and designed to test off-road vehicles with rock and log obstacles, inclines and descents, and water and mud courses. It has its own administration, training and amenities building and, in addition to the obstacle courses, operates on 3.0km of gravel tracks to make it ideal for rally training.

The main road circuit of 7.7km combines technical corners, fast-flowing sections and an aggregate rise and fall of 85 metres.

The dedicated 2.2km drift track has different layouts to suit national events, local competition and Matsuri festivals. This track will also be available for other activities including junior driver training and motorkhanas.

The Bend also has a 1.0km go-kart circuit designed to international standard and a rally-cross course with jumps and water crossings.

Peregrine intends to include an industrial precinct of about 40 hectares and have about 40 sites ranging from 2000 to 20,000 square metres for applications as offices, warehouses and light industrial businesses.

The Tailem bend property is on the Dukes Highway and close to the Mallee Highway with access to Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, making it suit a range of businesses.

By Neil Dowling