F1 grand prix in Sydney

Sydney could make a left-field bid for the Formula One grand prix, with the often criticised Eastern Creek racetrack targeted for a possible redevelopment.

The latest twist in the continuing saga over the future of the Australian GP emerged this week when the first batch of engineers and planners from overseas started examining Eastern Creek, west of Parramatta.

With persistent rumours that Melbourne will lose the race after staging it at Albert Park since 1996, Eastern Creek has emerged with a serious pitch to run the event at the government-owned track.

The Australian Racing Drivers' Club (ARDC) has commissioned a $350,000 feasibility study to be undertaken by a British company that has been involved with major projects in the Middle East and with the inaugural Singapore grand prix, which will run in September.

Part of the plan for redevelopment will see the complex run two circuits that can be used simultaneously. There will also be a bigger commitment to driver training for road users.

Eastern Creek's biggest single activity is not motor racing but driver education.

The ARDC can see F1 in Australia coming to an abrupt halt if F1 overlord Bernie Ecclestone makes good his promise of walking away if the race is not moved to a night-time slot to accommodate European TV audiences.

“We would be very disappointed if Australia didn't host a round of the F1 grand prix, so we really believe there needs to be a viable alternative,” ARDC general manager Geoff Arnold said.

Arnold agrees that if Australia drops off the F1 calendar it would be prohibitively expensive and possibly unlikely for it to return.

Eastern Creek is the only FIA level two rated licence track in Australia.

British company Apex Circuit Design Ltd, which has been involved in the redevelopment of the Silverstone circuit in England — home to the British GP — started assessing the facility on Tuesday.

The findings will be presented to the NSW Government, the landholder, with a view to making a pitch for funding to undertake redevelopment of the site.

Eastern Creek, which has hosted the international A1 grand prix of nations round over the last few years, has had a turbulent relationship with V8 Supercars.

Arnold rejected suggestions that Eastern Creek was a white elephant when it came to attracting crowds for V8 rounds.

Instead, he blamed inconsistent dates and not enough lead time for problems in generating local interest.

Eastern Creek hosted round 2 of the V8 championship in early March and the ARDC lost money on the venture.

“They (V8 Supercars) asked us if we could hold round 2. They confirmed that in the middle of October (2007) which is not enough time to market it properly,” Arnold said.

Standings

FORMULA ONE

(After 4 of 18 rounds)

1 Kimi Raikkonen (Fer) ...........29

2 Lewis Hamilton (McL) ........20

3 Robert Kubica (BMW) ..........19

4 Felipe Massa (Fer)................ 18

5 Nick Heidfeld (BMW) .............16

Previous round: Winner - Kimi Raikkonen, Barcelona, April 27.

Next round: Monaco, May 11.

TV times: Sat May 10 - qualifying 4.30am-5.30am. Sun - 10.40pm.

WORLD SUPERBIKES

(After 4 of 15 rounds)

1 Troy Bayliss (Duc) ..........178

2 Carlos Checa (Hon)........ 108

3 Troy Corser (Yam) ..........89

4 Fonsi Nieto (Suz) ...........85

5 Ruben Xaus (Duc) ...........81

Previous round: Winner race 1 - Troy Bayliss, winner race 2 - Troy Bayliss, April 27, Assen. Next round: Monza, Italy, May 11.

WORLD RALLY

(After 5 of 15 rounds)

1 Mikko Hirvonen (For) .......35

2 Sebastien Loeb (Cit) .......30

3 Chris Atkinson (Sub) .......28

4 Jari-Matti Latvala (For) ....18

5 Dani Sordo (Cit) ..............17

Previous round: Winner - Mikko Hirvonen - Jordan, April 27.

Next round: Italy, May 16-18.

INDYCAR

(After 4 of 16 rounds)

1 Helio Castroneves (Team Penske) ..........................144

2 Scott Dixon (Ganassi) .....138

3 Dan Wheldon (Ganassi)... 135

4 Tony Kanaan (Andretti-Green) ............................129

5 Danica Patrick (Andretti-Green) .............................110

Previous round: Winner - Dan Wheldon, Kansas, April 27.

Next round: Indianapolis 500, May 25.

MOTOGP

(After 3 of 18 rounds)

1eq Jorge Lorenzo (Yam) .....61

1eq Dani Pedrosa (Hon)....... 61

3 Valentino Rossi (Yam) .....47

4 Casey Stoner (Duc) ........40

5 James Toseland (Yam) ...29

Previous round: Winner Jorge Lorenzo, Estoril, Portugal, April 13.

Next round: Shanghai, China, May 4.

TV times: Sunday, May 4, Channel 10 10pm - 12.05am.