Never mind that the major obstacles haven't even been addressed yet, as there are already serious concerns with track costs, uprooting the existing clay track with a concrete base underneath, which will cost a fortune as it will have to be re-laid – presumably all at TCC ratepayers' cost. It is just another example of a commercial venture that TCVL and TCC Council should not be involved in. If private enterprise can't do it, then leave it alone because it is only lining IMG pockets which make it the only financial winner here. TCVL General Manager, McSweeney has just had a trip to Europe to check out speedway bike venues, presumably at ratepayers' cost, which is right over the top. Incidentally, TCVL have no surplus funds to do anything with and other than create more liability and debt it serves no useful purpose. All funding has to come from TCC and that means TCC ratepayers. Stop this lunacy now!
R Paterson, Matapihi.

TCC response:
Re: Baypark World Championship Speedway Grand Prix
Funding for the proposed Speedway World Championship Grand Prix Event at Baypark will be provided from a variety of sources as follows: TECT; BayTrust; Tauranga City Council (Major Events Fund allocation); Tourism Bay of Plenty; private investors; and there is an application for funding from the Ministry of Economic Development's Major Events Fund currently underway. It is also expected that City Partners will play a part in contributing to the event.
This is an excellent example of the community working in partnership to achieve things that would not happen without a collaborative approach. The speedway event is part of a drive to better utilise the existing and future Baypark venue. We are working hard to create a suite of events that will produce tourism, economic and entertainment benefits to the community and reduce ratepayer dependency. The proposed new track surface would be a permanent improvement.
Should the event go ahead a full economic and social impact assessement will be undertaken and made available to interested parties.
Ervin McSweeney, General Manager
Tauranga City Venues Ltd. (Baypark)