The Bend Motorsport Park moves into construction phase

The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend in South Australia has announced the appointment of a firm to construct the 35-turn 7.77km racing circuit at the venue – the centrepiece in the redevelopment of the former Mitsubishi Motors Australia test facility by the family-owned Peregrine Corporation.

The circuit design has four main configurations ranging in length from 3.4km to the 'GT' circuit of 7.77km. Link roads will provide an additional two configurations for training activities.

The 'International' circuit will be 4.9km long, and certified to the latest Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) standards to allow for all forms of motorcycle racing up to MotoGP.

South Australian civil construction company Lucas has been awarded the contract, which will see an estimated 140 new jobs created. The circuit is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

“The Bend’s racing circuit is a world class, with inspiration drawn from the best racing circuits around the world including Spa, Red Bull Ring, Paul Ricard, Nurburgring, Suzuka and Silverstone,” said Dr Sam Shahin, Executive Director of the Peregrine Corporation.

“The circuit will be a permanent bitumen race track of international standard with 35 turns, a 1km long main straight and a width of 15 metres that continues into turns two and three for fantastic side-by-side racing action, and top speeds approaching 300km/h.

“While the racing circuit will host top-level racing, it will be open to the public for a driving experience like no other, either in their own cars or in specially prepared track cars."

The Bend Motorsport Park will also feature a pit building, hotel and conference facilities; a purpose-built drift and karting circuit; an international Group 1 dragway; driver training facilities; an airstrip; a 4WD adventure park and an off-road facility.

Construction of the pit buildings and associated infrastructure will also begin soon.