Image: Supplied.

The long-awaited second motor-racing circuit at Mount Panorama will be designed by international company Apex Circuit Design, officially awarded the tender on Wednesday evening.

United Kingdom-based Apex’s concept was accepted from three options by Bathurst Regional Council, which announced the decision this afternoon.

Mayor Graeme Hanger OAM said Council has a vision to build on the city’s reputation for staging world-class international motorsport events and to take it to the next level.

“This announcement is the start of bringing this vision to reality,” Mayor Hanger said. “Apex Circuit Design has extensive experience in motor track design and the company has designed and delivered some of the best motorsports tracks around the world.

“Bringing Apex on board with this project allows us to get this design right, to make the second circuit a world-renowned facility, as iconic in the world of motorsports as the existing Mount Panorama circuit.”

A total of $25 million has been provided for the project to date – $15 million from the NSW Government and $10 million from the Federal Government. Member for Bathurst Paul Toole MP joined council at the tender announcement.

“This is one of the most significant developments for not just the Bathurst region, but also the greater Central West and beyond,” Toole commented. “The ability for Mount Panorama to increase its capacity as one of the world’s greatest motor-racing circuits provides huge economic benefits to all sectors of our community.

“A second circuit will bring the bikes back to the city, in addition to many other commercial opportunities which will see the new precinct being used every week of the year. The NSW Government is proud to be supporting this development and has already committed $15 million to help make this venture become a reality.”

Apex’s projects have included Zhejaing Racing Circuit in China (2018) and Dubai AutoDrome in the UAE (2004). Current projects include a full track design to Thailand (Grand Eastern) and an upgrade to the Mexico City GP Track.

The company has also recently completed designs for the circuit in Keysbrook, Western Australia, and demonstrated the capability of prompt delivery of the project.

In April last year Council called for Expressions of Interest for companies that have the capacity to design a second circuit. Council received three submissions from companies, two international and one in Australia. The tender offered by Apex Circuit Design provides all works as included in the specification and amounts to $3,703,000.

Their nominated process is for a master plan to be created on site, followed by detail design, preparation and submission of planning documentation with FIA/FIM approval occurring at the same as the planning approval process. The anticipated total delivery time is 84 weeks from acceptance of contract.

The second circuit at Mount Panorama is a multifaceted project for the construction of an international standard second race circuit and associated infrastructure. It will be capable of hosting a variety of motor vehicle and motorcycle events with capacity of 50,000 spectators, according to the council.