30 replies to this topic

[275 GTB-4]

Unconfirmed report: page five of todays Fin Review....an advert for the sale of the track.

If this true....cross your fingers that yet another purpose built track does not fall into the hands of the "developers"

[Ray Bell]

And just what could they develop it into out there? A sheep paddock?

[GreenMachine]

Too far out of town for residential development, cost a lot to turn it back into sheep paddock again - cheaper to just buy a sheep paddock.

I can't think of a use that would make sense financially, other than more or less what it is now.

I wonder if those garages erected along the pit entry were the straw that broke the circuit's financial back?

Regardless, I would not want it to disappear - the Green Machine has spent many happy hours on it, and looks forward to many more

Maybe Tony P should accelerate development of Oran Park Mk II ....

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by GreenMachine
.....I wonder if those garages erected along the pit entry were the straw that broke the circuit's financial back?

Not likely...

Those belong to Garry Willmington. The owners wouldn't build them, so he did a deal for him to build and own them as a joint venture setup. They're big money-spinners too.

I rather doubt that there is any real financial trouble at the circuit that couldn't be circumvented with some restructuring. In other words, if the place is for sale, I don't think it's because it's losing money.

.....Maybe Tony P should accelerate development of Oran Park Mk II

I don't think the Perich family would bother to be involved in anything smaller than what Oran Park's become. Wakefield doesn't fill that bill because it's just too far from Sydney.

[Bernd]

Yeah it's an interesting little circuit which I'd miss.

[cosworth bdg]

Originally posted by Bernd
Yeah it's an interesting little circuit which I'd miss.

Agreed.................................V8 Supercars.

[RTH]

How many acres is the entire site and what is the price ?

[Ray Bell]

272 hectares...

I don't believe it's actually for sale. It's a toe in the water exercise by the present owners trying to establish its market value. Or so I'm now told.

[RTH]

Typically how much per hectare would agricultural land sell for in NSW, Ray ?

[Ray Bell]

Much less than they've put into the place in the past eight or nine years...

[GreenMachine]

I don't think the Perich family would bother to be involved in anything smaller than what Oran Park's become. Wakefield doesn't fill that bill because it's just too far from Sydney.

Ray, I wasn't suggesting that WP should/could become the successor to the current OP circuit, rather that planning for a second Sydney circuit might need to be accelerated. OP has only a year or two of life left, and all it takes is WP to go into mothballs/recess, and club motorsport would be in a major hole.

I am glad it's only a 'toe in the water' exercise - I think. It would be nice to know just what the owners' long term plans might be, but all we can go on is what we see, and our own conclusions.

[Catalina Park]

Speaking as a local near Wakefield Park, I doubt that it would close, it is used nearly every day and seems to have a steady income stream.

If it was to close it would not become farm land, it would become 40 hectare hobby farms. City people that need a "tree change" and see the rural life irresistible and grow noxious weeds and alpacas. There are lots of these sort of farms springing up all around the area including near Wakefield Park.

The price for a hobby farm would be about $7000 per hectare.
Agricultural would sell for about $3000 per hectare.
(prices vary according to location and soil quality. )

So you can see why the big farms are being split up into smaller blocks. The fact that we have been in drought for the past 6 years wouldn't help.

[RTH]

Both those prices are less than 1/6th of the price of farm land in rural Britain even for grade 2 land.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally posted by Catalina Park
If it was to close it would not become farm land, it would become 40 hectare hobby farms. City people that need a "tree change" and see the rural life irresistible and grow noxious weeds and alpacas. There are lots of these sort of farms springing up all around the area including near Wakefield Park.

Not to mention the bloody great 11000 Volt easement and towers running across the bottom of the track....slow cooked Alpaca....mmmmmmmm ;)

[275 GTB-4]

Wakefield has changed hands once again...the Ronke's might be wanting to concentrate on Winton.

 

The new owners have advised increased track day hire charges and insurance arrangements are not clear.

 

Here's hoping that not much else changes as the track is well used and appreciated for its location (by some)

[GreenMachine]

275, that is not what I have heard. My understanding was that it was an internal shakeup. Have you a source or any more info on this?

[Dick Willis]

We were told at the drivers briefing at Winton last weekend that the Ronkes have gone, Mick snr, of course has passed away.

[Ray Bell]

My information is to that effect as well...

The Ronkes have gone. But they were never the owners, they managed the circuits on behalf of the owners.

That's the Benalla Auto Club and/or its business entity.

[Jacer]

I don't know why they would sell Wakefield over Winton, It's the one that actually makes money.

[275 GTB-4]

Interesting that Wakefield are advertising for a full set of Official's, Flaggies, Grid etc...contact wayne@wintonraceway.com.au

 

A new broom?

[Ray Bell]

Probably can't find the contact list...

Apparently there was some confusion about records and that kind of thing under the Ronke management, the office clean-up is expected to take quite some time.

Where are they running the ads?

[Lee Nicolle]

My information is to that effect as well...

The Ronkes have gone. But they were never the owners, they managed the circuits on behalf of the owners.

That's the Benalla Auto Club and/or its business entity.

That was reported on Speed Cafe. I cannot remember the reasons. They had been there for a long time.

Who actually owns Wakefield Pk? I feel the Ronkes were only managing that too.?

Though good managers I suggest may be worth their weight in gold. The difference between being succesfull and closure.

[Lee Nicolle]

Interesting that Wakefield are advertising for a full set of Official's, Flaggies, Grid etc...contact wayne@wintonraceway.com.au

 

A new broom?

Here in SA we have SAMROA who supply officials for most events, I think all circuit  race events.

I would have thought NSW would have had a similar entity.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Lee Nicolle
.....Who actually owns Wakefield Pk? I feel the Ronkes were only managing that too?

As in the piece you quoted, Lee...

Benalla Auto Club. The Ronkes were employees of the Benalla Auto Club.

[Dick Willis]

It seems that the new management have drastically increased the track hire prices for GEAR and all the GEAR splinter groups.

[timbo]

Here in SA we have SAMROA who supply officials for most events, I think all circuit  race events.

I would have thought NSW would have had a similar entity.

 

Many years ago, NSW had the Motor Sport Officials Association, who supplied flag marshals etc.

[275 GTB-4]

BAC Inc

2014 Committee Members are:
President- Peter Lawrence
Vice President- Barry Stilo
Secretary- Matthew Ronke
Treasurer- Chris Lewis-Williams
Committee members: Adam Ronke, Warren Sheehan, Gary Bennett, Stephen Harrison, and Ian Watt

Benalla Auto Club Inc. Life Members:
George Plumridge
Michael Ronke
Mary Stafford
Denis Williams
Dianne Stolz
Bruce Robertson
Trevor Willmott
Barry Stilo
David Fogg
Rod Noonan
Ken Farrell
Frank Wellman
Heather Wallace
- See more at: http://www.wintonrac...h.PSCl4ZqI.dpuf
 
AND
 
Trouble in Toy Town!

http://www.mmg.com.a...-s-woes-1.94754

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 19 August 2015 - 04:23.

[Ray Bell]

I have it on good authority that Michael Ronke's life membership has been cancelled...

And that cited item is undoubtedly why there is a 'new broom' at Wakefield Park.

[cooper997]

I'm sure many committee members at the coal face of Car Club level motor sport and who ran events at Winton will have tales to tell about Mick Ronke's methods. From personal experience not all will be favourable.

Stephen

[Amaroo Park]

Hope they can get there house in order now it sounds like it has been needed for a while

[jindera1]

A new committee has been elected on Saturday July 11, 2015:

 

Office bearers

 

Peter Lawrence- President (unopposed)

Barry Stilo- Vice President (unopposed)

Chris Lewis-Williams- Treasurer (unopposed)

Rex Monahan Secretary - only nominee

 

Committee members:

 

Willie Van Wersch

Neville Kettels

Rex Monahan

Peter Lawrence

Barry Stilo

Chris Lewis-Williams

Warren Sheehan

Phil Wagner

Murray Edgar

Rob Hoskins

Bernie Mylon

Edited by jindera1, 24 August 2015 - 11:38.