Victorian clubs receive vital Government funding

Thursday 22 April, 2021

The Ararat Car Club has received funding from the Victorian Government to fix the safety barriers at its One Tree Hill hillclimb course.

(Photo: Ararat Car Club)

Eleven Victorian Motorsport Australia affiliated clubs have been recipients of Government grants as part of the State Government’s Community Motorsport Program.

Aimed at assisting grassroot motorsport clubs in producing better facilities, equipment and training opportunities, more than $2.1 million was handed out during the first round of the program.

Part of the Government’s $7.4 million Racing into a New Era for Motorsport program, the grants in the Community Motorsport Program’s first round were split into two categories – Motorsport Club Assistance and Infrastructure Upgrades and Equipment.

The latter category saw four Victorian clubs successful in their applications, which grants funding to clubs to help them buy equipment or with minor and major infrastructure developments.

The largest grant was awarded to the MG Car Club Victoria which received $494,894 in order to upgrade the famous Rob Roy Hill Climb facilities, including resurfaced roadways and construction of a new undercover area.

Other recipients of financial support between $30,00 and $50,000 were the Pakenham Auto Club for its Motorsport Timing System, the Western District Car Club to purchase a tractor and mower for the Geelong Motorsports Complex and the Ararat Car Club, which will use the funding to upgrade its Armco safety barriers.

After receiving the green light for almost half a million dollars, the MG Car Club Victoria’s President Kay Herlihy was delighted with the result of the club’s funding request.

“We are absolutely over the moon with this outcome and are very grateful to Motorsport Australia and the Andrews’ Government for the opportunity to help us get this project underway,” Herlihy said.

The famous Rob Roy Hillclimb start line (Photo: Twotes Visual Images)

“There is still some more money that we need to find to complete the project, but this funding goes a long way in helping us upgrade one of the world’s oldest hill climb tracks, ensuring Rob Roy will continue to be one of the most iconic tracks for many more years to come.

“There is no denying that it took a lot of time and effort to put this application together, but to receive the amount of funding that we did makes it all worthwhile in the end. Along with the rest of the club’s members, I am ecstatic with the result and could not be happier.”

Victorian clubs wanting to upgrade their facilities can still apply for the Infrastructure and Equipment Grant, which closes in July.

Click here for more information on the Community Motorsport Program.

The Motorsport Club Assistance grant saw a further seven clubs also receive funding for programs across three different streams.

The Pakenham Auto Club was among seven clubs successful in obtaining funding for the stream focused on Safety and Operational equipment. Other clubs to receive funding under this stream included the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club, the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne and the Victorian Fire & Rescue Squad.

The BMW Car Club of Victoria received financial support for its initiative to boost women’s participation, while the Marque Sports Car Association Victoria joined the HSV Owners Club of Victoria Incorporating HDT as recipients for funding to assist their events and activities.

(Photo: HSV Owners Club Victorian Incorporating HDT)

The Motorsport Club Assistance category remains open for applications until 2022.

With motorsport in Victoria supporting more than 4,000 jobs and contributing around $700 million to the Victorian economy, Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence was pleased to be able to support the industry.

“Motorsport and motorcycling clubs provide a safe and welcoming community space where people of all backgrounds and abilities can learn some great skills and practical tips about safe track riding,” Spence said.

“The projects funded this round are a great example of how important this fund will be in helping local clubs boost their facilities and attract more people to motorsport.”

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca thanked the Victorian Government for its assistance in the program.

“This is a great initiative by the Andrews’ Government and on behalf of Victorian Motorsport Australia affiliated clubs, I thank them for their support of grassroots motorsport in the state,” Arocca said.

“These funding opportunities help in many ways and I encourage Victorian clubs to take advantage of the chance to receive funding and assistance for projects that have been in the pipeline.”

“I want to congratulate the 11 clubs that were successful in receiving financial support and I look forward to following the progress of their projects.”

Victorian clubs can contact the Motorsport Australia’s Regional Development Executive for Vic and Tasmania, Daniel Gorgievski, for further information on the Community Motorsport Program.