WINTON is poised to lose its round of the V8 Supercars unless an 11th hour deal can be struck with event operators.
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Supercars Australia is poised to announce its 2017 calendar this week with the North East track in danger of losing the event it has held every year, bar three since 1985.
The latest three-year contract between Benalla Auto Club, the owners of the Winton track, and Supercars expired after this year’s event in May.
Club chief executive Chris Lewis-Williams said the next 48 hours were crucial to the region saving its biggest event which attracted more than 70,000 spectators over three days this year.
A recent economic impact study found the event was worth $8.8 million to the region.
But the sticking point, in the latest talks, is the club being asked to pay a 50 per cent higher fee to stage the event.
“It’s a significant amount of money,” Mr Lewis-Williams said.
“We have offered various deals to Supercars about co-promoting the event.
“But there is no desire from Supercars to co-promote with us which is a disappointment.”
Mr Lewis-Williams said the club was in talks with Tourism Victoria, but was awaiting final confirmation on those discussions.
“We are quietly confident,” he said.
The Victorian government recently invested $1 million towards a major upgrade of the Winton track.
Benalla Auto Club is lobbying the state government in an attempt to help keep the event at Winton.
The Andrews government has confirmed it is considering a proposal with upper house MP, Jaclyn Symes, who is from Benalla, one of the club’s biggest allies.
Supercars Australia declined to comment on the prospect of Winton losing its round when contacted by The Border Mail on Monday afternoon.
Winton is the only standalone promoter on the V8 Supercars calendar.
Last year, the government rejected a bid by V8 Supercars to support a street race in Geelong which was projected to run at a loss.
Supercars presently promote 10 rounds of the series.
Supercars Australia chief James Warburton said earlier this year more work needed to be carried out on the Winton facilities in addition to the $1 million track upgrade.
Benalla Auto Club also owns the Wakefield raceway in NSW.
The Winton circuit is used regularly for V8 testing sessions by Melbourne-based teams and Albury’s Brad Jones Racing.