News: Supercheap Auto Racing's Paul Morris Calls For Action In WA
Supercheap Auto Racing's Russell Ingall says either a new circuit or an upgrade to the existing Barbagallo Raceway is what's required to give WA race fans the facilities they deserve. Ingall helped with the $500,000 renovations at team-mate Paul Morris' Holden Performance Driving Centre on the Gold Coast last week and says he would be the first to put his hand up for the WA Fans.
Ingall says it's all for the West Aussie V8 fans - "they deserve the best"
Supercheap Auto Racing V8 Supercar team owner Paul Morris has called for urgent action before Western Australia loses its annual V8 round.
Following this weekend's round, Barbagallo Raceway has just one year remaining on its contract with V8 Supercars Australia. But outdated facilities are placing further WA visits by the V8 circus at risk.
The WA government will not fund a street race in the manner of Adelaide's Clipsal 500 or the new Hamilton 400 in New Zealand, so either major upgrades to Barbagallo or an entirely new, modern circuit would be required to keep the round.
"Barbagallo's one of the few remaining circuits left with character, it's just a pity you have to dodge the fans driving the car from the garage to pit lane," Morris said.
"The organisers do a wonderful job with the race but the facilities just make it too hard.
"Perth's an important place for us, so they either need to bring Barbagallo up to date or build a new track that's up to modern day standards for both the series and fans.
"The way it is now it's like the West Coast Eagles being asked to play at the local footy ground and having the players get changed behind a tree!"
Morris comments come just a week after his Holden Performance Driving Centre on the Gold Coast - the home base for his Supercheap Auto Racing team - underwent a $500,000 upgrade.
Built in 1990, the HPDC with its 2.1km circuit is booked for 300 days a year.
Morris' Supercheap Auto Racing team-mate, 2005 V8 Supercar Champion Russell Ingall agreed with his boss, saying changes needed to be made for WA's motor racing fans.
"This is not just about us, it's about the WA motor racing fans - they love their V8s and we need to give them better facilities," Ingall said.
"The fans are the ones that allow us to do what we do and they deserve the best facilities. They need more space to move around and enjoy their racing.
"If Paul can upgrade the Holden Performance Driving Centre it can't be too hard to upgrade Barbagallo or build another circuit - all it takes is some money and a bit of heavy machinery - and it's not like there's a shortage of any of that in WA!
"I've had a bit of recent experience with road making equipment, so I'd be the first to put my hand up to help out!"
