Promoters of the car-racing and motocross track near Kohatu have submitted a draft resource consent application to Tasman District Council staff to iron out potential problems. 

The $26 million Tasman Motor Sport Park is proposed to be built in stages, catering for more than a dozen user groups, including drag-racing, go-karts, off road buggies, quad bikes and even jet ski racing or jet sprints in a lake created after gravel is extracted to build the race circuit.

“Peewee” youngsters will be able to hire quad bikes and mini bikes.The facility will also include a conference centre and driver training school. (The Police have expressed an interest in using the track to train their officers.)

Nelson architect David McLeod, who is driving the project on behalf of clients, says the complex is designed to be busy year round, drawing people to the region, however it might take 15 years to complete. Once   finished it will boast a bar, restaurant, 21km of mountain bike track, a confidence course, outdoor arena and a campground. The 203ha site at Rabbit Gully, near the Kohatu Hotel, is owned by roading contractors Garry Adcock and Gary Donaldson.

Tasman District Council funded a feasibility study of the project in 2008. David says once Council officers have provided guidance on aspects such as roading, water supply, protecting the environment etc, property neighbours will be re-approached with more precise plans. A formal resource consent will then be fleshed out. He says the 15-20 neighbours have been “overwhelmingly supportive” of the racing track concept, but naturally are keen to see the detail of how it will effect them personally.

The track would be a club circuit initially, building up to a facility to rival Ruapuna in Christchurch. David says many motorized sport enthusiasts travel great distances to indulge their passion because there are no local facilities. He spoke to Nelson City Councillors recently as a forerunner to a request for funding. That request will eventually be directed through the Regional Funding Forum, which encompasses both councils.