Perth motor racing venue to continue operations to mid 2018

The home of motorsport in Western Australia is to remain operational for another year as the Western Australian Government continues a serach for a private buyer to secure its future.

Perth Motorplex is currently operated by Western Australian Government agency VenuesWest, which last week confirmed it would keep doors open until June 2018 even if the facility runs at a loss.

According to VenuesWest Chief executive David Etherton an expression-of-interest period that finished last month drew responses from Australia and overseas.

As reported by PerthNow, Etherton said more than 80 groups in the motorsport industry were contacted before the public release of the EOI process, but it would take several months to consider proposals to operate the venue.

Etherton stated "we have every intention of completing the process and undertaking a transition period within the June 2018 timeframe.

“If an operator has not been appointed at this stage, a further decision will be made at the time regarding VenuesWest’s continued involvement and the ongoing operation of the venue.”

VenuesWest took on “interim management” last July, after Kwinana Motorplex withdrew from operating the venue.

Asked if the venue would continue to run even at a loss to taxpayers, Etherton told PerthNow “VenuesWest will manage the venue until June 2018, or until transitioning to a new operator if this occurs prior to that date.

“The season hasn’t finished so the financial performance ... is not yet finalised.”

A 2015/16 financial summary for the $29.3 million Motorplex showed it paid VenuesWest $439,158 that season.

Local speedway veteran David Priolo, who was to retire after last night’s Gold Cup Grand Final, said it was “imperative” the Motorplex stayed open. 

Image: Monster Trucks at the Perth Motorplex.

3rd February 2017 - VENUESWEST AND THE BOAB NETWORK WORKING TOGETHER FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN 

11th January 2017 - RECORD CROWDS SECURE HOPMAN CUP’S FUTURE IN PERTH 

15th December 2016 - INAUGURAL LEISURE INDUSTRY COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING AWARDS 

11th August 2016 - VENUESWEST ANNOUNCES GENERAL MANAGER OF PERTH MOTORPLEX

8th August 2016 - VENUESWEST’S COMMITMENT TO GIVING BACK GOES BEYOND AUSTRALIA 

2nd June 2016 - NEW OPERATORS SOUGHT FOR PERTH MOTORPLEX VENUE

8th April 2015 - VENUESWEST IMPOSES STRICT RULES ON BOARD AND STAFF PERKS 

13th March 2015 - VENUESWEST INSTALLS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST SCREENS AT A DRAG RACING VENUE