Motorsport event cancels despite $450,000 in Tasmanian Government funding

Longford Grand Prix Expo, an event for motorsport enthusiasts backed by $450,000 in Tasmanian Government funding, will not be held next month, with event organiser DX Industries blaming ongoing supply chain shortages, infrastructure costs and a lack of staff.

The Expo, planned to showcase the town's rich motorsport history, was to replace the former Longford Motorama on 11th and 12th March, with an anticipated crowd of close to 15,000 expected to attend.

However, with questions now being asked about the funding, Tasmanian Attorney-General Elise Archer said the situation was being looked at “very closely” to find out exactly what happened.

Attorney-General Archer told the ABC “obviously, when there’s taxpayers’ money concerned we have very rigorous processes in place and reporting processes in place in terms of any money that’s been spent, so we’ll need to look at that, leave no stone unturned in relation to what’s been paid and indeed the recovery of any taxpayer money that has been expended.”

Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles said the news was a blow to the community, commenting “it will mean a big difference in the economic side of things because the crowds that come to the town, they support all the businesses and all the other events that are happening at the same time.”

The cancellation has prompted local motor enthusiasts to rally together in a bid to keep an event at Longford.

Justin Brown, one of the organisers behind Longford Motorama - which the Expo replaced - is attempting to launch ‘The Long Weekend in Longford’ instead.

Brown noted "there's still a lot of people in and around Longford, there's a lot of people in Tasmania and interstate that want this event to go ahead.”

The new event has so far been backed by the Northern Midlands Council, Hobart Sporting Car Club and the Historic Racing Car Club of Tasmania.

Image credit: Longford Grand Prix Expo.