High-octane Supercars action could end an almost 20-year drought to make a Canberra return - and it could be carbon neutral.
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In what could be a massive boost to the ACT's hard-hit hospitality sector, a group of mostly Canberra-based entrepreneurs have spent the past three years working on a plan to bring Supercars back to the capital.
The group of three hope to meet with the ACT government by the end of the month, having held preliminary, low-level talks up until now.
An initial plan would see the race held at Exhibition Park - potentially as the 2023 season finale - as part of a multipurpose facility.
It would be a 3.2-kilometre hybrid circuit comprising of streets and track.
While Supercars weren't part of the bid, they were supportive of it.
It would make the sport one step closer to being a national competition, with just the ACT not currently represented on their schedule of races.
Their return would mark the end of a 19-year absence from Canberra, with the Canberra 400 held three times between 2000-02 before being cancelled with two years to run on their contract.
The group said they've learnt from their predecessors' mistakes where cold weather in the middle of winter discouraged crowds at the street circuit in the Parliamentary triangle.
That's why they're aiming for a race in late spring or early summer.
The group were disappointed their plans had been leaked to the media, but were hopeful the government would still be receptive to their idea.
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They felt the race would be a massive boost to the economy, especially for the hospitality sector which has been especially hard hit during the pandemic.
"This is about us wanting to show Canberra would be a suitable location, the benefits that it can have to the economy and just building public spirit and morale," one of the trio told The Canberra Times.
"And making it an entertainment event - not just about motorsport - so it can appeal to the widest possible demographic and draw people in from a couple of other states.
"It's very early days and we just want the chance to present to the right people in government ... and we want to work with [them] to try to make it happen."
Part of the plan would be to minimise the environmental impact as much as possible.
At this stage none of their plans were set in stone and they were open to working with the government.
"We'd look at how we can make this as carbon neutral as possible. We'd look at using the light rail and we'd give incentives for people to go there," they said.
While no plan has been formally presented, the government were quick to distance themselves.
"There are no plans to host Supercars in Canberra," an ACT government spokesperson said.