Irate Cochrane declares; Bathurst in doubt without funding
22/11/2000 23:53 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - AVESCO supremo Tony Cochrane has tonight threatened to do the unthinkable – cancelling Australia’s greatest race.
The annual Mt Panorama 1000km classic is under threat, according to Cochrane, if facilities don’t improve over the next few years.
Tonight, Cochrane accelerated his push for Government money to be injected into the road course by declaring the V8 Supercars would take their business elsewhere if track upgrades were not forthcoming.
"I am very much in the hands of the Bathurst City Councillors and others who can perhaps convene the appropriate meetings and start to really focus on fixing the problem," an irate Cochrane told ABC Online tonight.
"If there is no desire for us to keep returning just let us know and give us a pass and we will find somewhere that is prepared to put the time and effort into ensuring that we keep returning every year,” he stated.
Cochrane condemned the State and Federal Governments over the Bathurst weekend for continuing to neglect the sport. “Motorsport fans are tax payers too,” he said.
However, no mention of a Bathurst boycott had been made until tonight.
Cochrane says the Mt Panorama event could be replaced by races in Singapore, Brunei and Albury – all currently in negotiations to stage a V8 Supercar meeting in 2002.
It is believed the Bathurst City Council, along with AVESCO, has lobbied the Federal Government for money to resurface the 6.2km circuit, as well as upgrade campground and pit facilities.
Paddock and camping areas came under the most severe attack last weekend, as a week-long downpour transformed much of the picturesque hillside circuit into a quagmire.
The Bathurst FAI 1000 has been locked-in for 2001, however Cochrane insists the future of the race beyond next year is questionable.
| |
