Avalon plan ‘surprises’ car clubs

John Van Klaveren
GRASSROOTS motor sport enthusiast clubs fear big business will squeeze them out of Avalon.
Geelong Motor Sports Com-plex committee member Matt Prins said transport company Linfox’s push to develop a rival larger-scale facility nearby had “taken us by surprise”.
“We’ve been talking to Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) about this but had heard little until this report surfaced,” he said.
Reports earlier this year said Linfox planned to build its complex on a site adjoining Avalon Airport. CAMS had $130,000 in funding to investigate the feasibility of the complex.
Mr Prins said a major motor sports complex would be welcome but was worried about a lack of consultation over the project.
“We’re intrigued it’s come to this without consultation. We knew Linfox was keen to have a complex there on a grander scale.
“People would lose interest in our facility if this went ahead. We would be forced to try and use the new complex.
“It would virtually mean closure of our current facility.”
Committee president Graham Harrison said the group had a “good relationship” with Linfox.
“We are not at loggerheads with anyone. I guess we have to wait and see what CAMS comes up with.
“At the moment we are no clearer than anyone else. We just don’t want to suffer from what may happen without getting looked after.”
A CAMS-commission report three years ago identified Avalon as ideal for a motor sports complex.