12 replies to this topic

[sinister]

Well last year this one stirred up a few locals....... but here is the latest.

Source: http://www.cairns.co...local-news.html

DRIVER training advocate Peter Roggenkamp has abandoned his dream of building a multi-million dollar bicycle, driver and rider training and motor sport complex.

His plan, announced in The Cairns Post in October, 2009, was to build the centre on private land 30 minutes drive from Cairns CBD.

"Despite unsuccessful approaches and submissions to all levels of government seeking low-interest loans as well as joint venture partners, the proponents, landowner and another prominent local businessman have exhausted all avenues of finance and reluctantly concede that the proposed complex will not be built unless a joint venture partner comes forward," Mr Roggenkamp said.

He has tried to establish a driver training facility in the region for more than 25 years but said suitable land had never been available until this site was offered by another businessman.

"One finds it quite surprising that the State Government showed very little interest in assisting - despite the fact that the financial cost to taxpayers of fatalities in Queensland in 2009 was $666 million," he said.

Mr Roggenkamp said the proposed facility was costed at $6
million.

Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall said it was essentially a commercial enterprise which the Government did not usually finance.

RACQ driver education executive manager Scott Lewin said the trend was to move away from driver training facilities and into "real world" motoring.

Peter Roggenkamp, a driving instructor and one of the key proponents of this Driver Training Centre, is a regular contributing columnist to The Cairns Post's motoring guide, for which he is compensated.

[kitamijin]

Was never going to go ahead anyway. We run the driver training days and sprints already anyway up at the Makotrac. Why build another one financed by tax payers when we already have the facilities up at Mareeba.

Edited by kitamijin, 28 February 2011 - 06:27 PM.

[>>SL33PER]

I think it was going to be a bit different to what mako currently offers...plus being in cairns means its a lot more accessible to people

[Falconxf88]

People need a skid pan + proper edication. Driving all day for work, I notice a bunch of f*cling retards. I find it amusing in the wet when people don't know how to steer out of a slide.0

[GTR37]

The government doesn't make any money so their not interested.

Would have been good though.

[7shades]

Should be compulsory... Like Europe.

Cost me €1800 to get my German licence... And 3 months of advanced driver training. Skid pans, evaside maneuvers, high speed, everything.
Takes a whole year and a shitload more money if you're a 'new driver'.

Yes, its expensive and time consuming... But this is positive.

For starters, it makes people think about whether they really need a licence and a car after all. This means less cars on the road.
Secondly, it means those that DO go to all the effort can actually f*cking drive.
This is why the autobahn can exist, and high-speed crashes are rare.


But no. If everyone could drive properly, our beloved government wouldn't have reason to fear trip us with road safety campaigns and hefty fines. Those delicious, hefty fines.

[SiKnEsS]

its a shame, and as for Mako catering for what this was going to have.....biggest load of shit, u cant hang your car sideways around mako, or do skids, and you sure as hell cant have more than a 4 cars race without damage,, things dont happen up here cause there are too many people that bitch and hang shit on these things, instead of supporting the idea, go back to the thread that was put up when he was trying to make this happen, nothing but winging and bitching, bit dissapointing tho, but there are plenty of bitumin streets around Cairns lol

[sinister]

Funnily enough I was going through deleted threads the other day, and that was one I went through and read Pitchy and you are right it was full of support and full of negativity also.

The Mako has huge potential I think. It did have drifting, but I am unsure if that is continuing this year. The only real negative from it was the price and you had to use their car. I think, at the end of the day, people just want to drive their own car. It doesn't matter if it's a 50hp factory car or a 500hp dedicated event vehicle, people just want to drive their own car. I think the only current form of car motor sports is the sprints Stuart runs.

The track is plenty big enough for more than four vehicles. The tiny little track inside the Speedway had 9 cars drifting in a chain so the Mako can definitely achieve that.

Ultimately, it is what it is and what events it caters to.

I was also talking about this at work today and it amazes me that they don't just expand on the facilities at the Cairns showgrounds. While it may never be big enough for a full blown motor sports complex, the rear side of it (Scott St) has plenty of room enough for a driver training facility, drifting, small circuit, or whatever you may find interest it. As I understand the land is also council property. Noise may be an issue for burnouts, or similar, but the other driving events previously mentioned would be fine there and get people off the streets for a minimal outlay.

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[journeymanMick]

sinister, on 01 March 2011 - 06:17 PM, said:

............ I think the only current form of car motor sports is the sprints Stuart runs. ........

On bitumen, anyway. Plenty of scope for driving sideways if you don't mind doing it on dirt.

Mick

[sinister]

I was referring to the Mako Trak. Not other locations.

[TheVLGarage]

anyone over 50 + migrants who have never driven before should do these driving days

[TheVLGarage]

^^ not being racist, as my parents are migrants but I think if some of these people come from countries that don't have roads and cars, then a few defensive driving courses are in order

[meanstreak racing team]

Please support this, plenty of land here, for everyone once it's designated a motorsporting precinct


http://www.springmou...gracing.com/wb/

Edited by meanstreak racing team, 03 March 2012 - 10:02 PM.