{"id":592552,"date":"2026-04-08T02:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T02:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/592552\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T02:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T02:58:13","slug":"motorsport-australia-committed-to-sandown-phillip-island-futures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/592552\/","title":{"rendered":"Motorsport Australia committed to Sandown, Phillip Island futures"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Motorsport
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe famous kerbs of Sandown. Image: InSyde Media<\/p>\n

The two historic venues have faced challenges in recent years that have cast questions over their long-term viability.<\/p>\n

For Sandown the threat has long been property development, considering the dual use facility (horse and car racing) occupies prime suburban Melbourne real estate.<\/p>\n

Talk of site development has dulled recently, though, adding at least an uneasy sense of stability in the short term.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a view shared by Motorsport Australia\u2019s new CEO Josh Blanksby who, previously held the same role with Sandown owner the Melbourne Racing Club.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a very positive meeting with the Melbourne Racing Club last week to talk about their motorsport future,\u201d Blanskby told Speedcafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe irony is not lost on me; I was there for 10 years and there wasn\u2019t much of a focus on motorsport.<\/p>\n

Win a limited edition 1:18 scale model #8 BJR Camaro. Enter Now. <\/a>
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNow to see the Melbourne Racing Club wanting to invest in it, they\u2019ve acknowledged they need to invest into the facilities and we\u2019re very keen to help them with that.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very important part of their business at Sandown. They realise that they can use [the circuit] every day. They can get a return out of it if they put a bit of investment into it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere it sits, geography-wise, it\u2019s a great asset. It\u2019s got a great history and they\u2019re pretty keen to celebrate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phillip Island, meanwhile, was dealt a major blow in February when the Victorian government lost its MotoGP deal to South Australia.<\/p>\n

That has stripped the iconic circuit of its marquee event right at a time when its ageing facilities require updating.<\/p>\n

Ensuring the facility survives the MotoGP loss is something firmly in Blanskby\u2019s sights as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhilip Island is key,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotoGP going is disappointing, although it\u2019s good news for Adelaide in that respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve already had conversations with government about how important [Phillip Island] is and the regional community is, and the government has been open to those discussions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see this as an opportunity for four-wheel motorsport, because can we replace the MotoGP with a four-wheel event that celebrates Philip Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, from our perspective, investment in infrastructure is key, because that benefits grass roots, and the government knows that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile a signature event would be great, if money is going to be invested, it would be good to see it invested into infrastructure and allow club-level participants to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n


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