'Eastern Creek eager to poach the Aus GP'

Friday 8th August 2008

The Eastern Creek circuit in Sydney could soon undergo a major revamp in a bid to poach the Australian GP away from Melbourne.

Earlier this year the Albert Park circuit signed an extended contract with Bernie Ecclestone that will see the race remain in Melbourne until 2015.

The announcement came as a bit of a surprise as Ecclestone had been threatening to axe the race after the Melbourne organisers refused to agree to a night race. Instead they reached a compromise with the F1 supremo that will see the race handed a 5:00 pm (0600 GMT) start.

However, Allan Moffat, a board member of the Australian Racing Drivers' Club, reckons it's only a matter of time before Ecclestone once again puts pressure on Melbourne to convert to a night race, claiming that would be the perfect time for Eastern Creek to take over the grand prix.

"Bernie Ecclestone will get sick of Melbourne's refusal to host a night race," Moffat told the Australian Daily Telegraph.

"We would be in a position to take advantage. It would cost three times as much to develop a suitable facility on virgin land. We have the basis for it right here in the middle of Blacktown, Australia's fastest growing area."