Controversial Perth Supercars plan wins a famous fan
Supercars veteran Will Davison has thrown his support behind Western Australia constructing a street track near the Perth CBD, saying it will help bring the sport to the people.
In January, WA Premier Roger Cook committed $217 million to create a new motorsport street circuit as well as a 20,000-seat music bowl and a function centre.
The motorsport circuit would be constructed in the Burswood Precinct area, which houses the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium.
But the plan quickly attracted fierce criticism, with opponents raising concerns over noise pollution and the loss of natural green space.
Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Townsville are among the Supercars venues already boasting street circuits.
Newcastle also had a street track, but a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushback from locals and the failure to secure a new Supercars deal resulted in the council restoring the area back to normal use.
Davison, in Perth for this week's Supercars event at Wanneroo Raceway, feels a new street track would work wonders for the sport in Perth.
"I've been around this sport for a long time, and I've been a part of a lot of the street races that have started from scratch over the last 10 or 15 years," Davison said.
"Some have worked, some haven't. But I'm a huge supporter of local motor sports circuits.
"You explain it in a way where you're bringing your sport to the people, particularly in the heart of the CBD.
"We have our die-hard fans that love Supercars, love motorsport.
"(But) there's a lot of people that are on the fence and (won't change their mind) until they come and experience it first hand, and feel that it's much more than a motor sport event."
Davison said street circuits brought a different aspect to motor racing.
"There's so much going on at street events that are good for the kids, good for the family. There's entertainment everywhere you look left, right and centre.
"They create a vibe and atmosphere that makes it much more than a motorsport event."
In a huge sporting weekend for Perth, the Socceroos face Japan in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Optus Stadium on Thursday night, while the Supercars will be in action from Friday.
Davison and his Dick Johnson Racing teammate Brodie Kostecki took on Socceroos pair Martin Doyle and Mat Ryan in a remote control car battle at Perth's Elizabeth Quay on Monday.
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