'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' - Place To Race Needed On Gold Coast

press release

Gold Coast businessmen and motorsport identities Terry Morris and Brett “Crusher” Murray have set-up a campaign and fighting fund to kick the Gold Coast City Council into action over the decimation of motorsport facilities in the city.

Above: Brett 'Crusher' Murray and Terry Morris

The action from the pair comes after years of neglect towards Gold Coast venues where motorsport competitors of all ages, shapes and sizes can enjoy their sport.

The pair has thrown both cash and resources at the project, which they have titled “Place to Race”.

A new website has been launched www.placetorace.com.au where all Gold Coast motorsport clubs, stakeholders and fans can register to receive regular information.

It also lists the contact details of all Gold Coast councillors and encourages stakeholders to contact them on a regular basis.

There will also be regular twitter updates and a facebook page – both can be found by searching for “placetorace”.

It is envisaged there will be a public rally for all interested parties in coming weeks.

“Crusher and I have thrown some of our own money at this project to kick-start a fighting fund, which I am sure will be contributed to by many other stakeholders,” said Morris, who is a former councillor himself and one of the Gold Coast’s leading business identities.

“It would seem that the councilors of this city only hear from the minorities, well that is about to change.

“We are putting together a plan which we will roll out in force and keep rolling out until every young karter, motorcyclist and driver has somewhere to enjoy their sport in a safe environment.

"Every other sport including swimming, football, netball, tennis, skate boarding, equestrian and hockey have more and more community-funded facilities, but motorsport is going backwards, and no one seems to care.

“There are so many stakeholders in this sport and it is about time that we came together with once seriously vocal voice to get some action.

“If you think the road toll is bad now, keep closing down these facilities and see where we are at in five or 10 years time. I sure would not like this on my conscience.”

Murray, who has been the motorsport contributor to the Gold Coat Bulletin for more than 20 years and who owns BAM Media, an international media and management agency, which has a 70% focus on all facets of motorsport, said it was time for the talk to be over.

“Enough is enough,” said Murray.

“The attitude towards all these clubs and young riders and drivers is an absolute disgrace and it is about time we changed those thought processes or the people that have them.

“This is the greatest city in the world and has an amazing motorsport heritage. It is also growing in population daily, but our motorsport venues are disappearing.

“BAM has put together some of the biggest PR campaigns seen in Australia and I can assure you that we will be throwing every available resource at this until someone listens and we get a result.

“The Gold Coast City Council has become a respected supporter of the Nitro SuperGP in recent years, but that is as much about tourism as it is about motorsport – this is about our kids’ future.

“It’s about my son and Terry’s grandchildren having a place to drive and ride and learn the skills that will make them better road users in the future.”

Economic Benefit from Motorsport in South East Queensland
A survey three years ago showed the V8 Supercars had an economic of $70 million alone – and the majority of that is focused on South-East Queensland and the Gold Coast in particular.
The figure does not include the Economic impact of the Nitro SuperGP, which is estimated at more than $60 million.
Those two figures just scratch the surface of the motorsport industry in general which includes teams, mechanics, sign-writers, engineering companies, caterers, transport and logistics, bike shops, kart suppliers, media and public relation companies, marketing agents, safety equipment suppliers, tour companies, driver training facilities, security, printers, designers, tyre and wheel retailers and merchandise suppliers – the list goes on and on.

 

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