Victoria’s coalition leader Ted Ballieu announced on November 7 that the state would launch a bid to host the Australian leg of the Red Bull Air Race from 2013.
The Coalition government is preparing a proposal which would see the Air Race held in Geelong over the southwest corner of Corio Bay, with key vantage points between The Esplanade at Drumcondra and Limeburners Point. The opposition expects that it would cost approximately $4 million to host, but could deliver $20 million of economic benefits to the Geelong region.
“The Red Bull Air Race attracts thousands and for Geelong to secure this coveted event would provide an opportunity for economic and tourism development across the region and expand its reputation as a prime tourist destination,” Baillieu said.
The organisers of the Red Bull Air Race last year signed a new agreement with the WA government which will keep the event in Perth until 2012. It is believed that the WA government will seek to retain the event after that time, while New South Wales has also been reportedly interested in luring it to Sydney.
The Perth leg of the 2010 Air Race will take place on the weekend of April 17-18.
