Plans for a $7.5million international standard drag racing strip at the TECT All Terrain Park accelerated this week with a detailed proposal presented to Western Bay District Council.

The feasibility report shows the drag strip development, which could be completed by 2015, will cost $7.5 million to construct, but demonstrates that with the strip's high benefit cost ratio (7.5) the full capital cost will be returned to the community within the first year of operation.

Tauranga drag racer Paul Sattler - the supercharged outlaw class national champion.

The report was commissioned jointly by the New Zealand Drag Racing Association and Te Matai Motorsport Inc, the body that represents seven motorsport groups building facilities at the park's 380ha dedicated motorsport area.

Te Matai Motorsport chairman David Loughlin says the report, produced by Opus, was presented to the council's TECT park sub-committee to keep it informed of the development.

David says the study shows a high benefit cost ratio, returning $7.50 to the community in the first 10 years for every $1 invested – research that backs up the anecdotal belief that many visitors will bring money into the Western Bay from outside the region.

'The money stacks up very well. But we want to stress that we are not asking for council's funds – we do not want one cent from the council, and we will actually be returning to them a portion of revenue on top of land rent.”

The project will be funded from a mix of commercial lending, trust grants and the drag racing association – with hopes that all funding will be confirmed by the end of the year.

Another two full years will be needed to prepare the site, for earthworks and constructing the track and buildings, before the first full year programme of events in 2015.

The strip would offer an international standard track to attract top overseas drivers. It is expected to host 13 race meetings per year, including one international, two national and four regional events, plus other local club events and commercial activities.

New Zealand Drag Racing Association general manager Chris Tynan says the Bay of Plenty's sunny weather is ideal for drag racing because events can only be held when it is dry for safety reasons.

Chris says local racing events at the track could offer boy racers a chance to put their driving skills to the test in a controlled environment and cut down on illegal road racing. He says police in Auckland had noticed a drop off in boy racer problems the nights these events were held at Meremere.

'This is an exciting beginning to what will probably be the park's largest single development.”

Tauranga drag racer Paul Sattler - the supercharged outlaw class national champion - is among many Bay of Plenty motorsport enthusiasts backing the plan.

He says the track will directly benefit the many people involved in both making and racing cars in the region and save them the two and half hour drive to the strip at Meremere.

'It would definitely be a draw card for people from all over especially with some big events.”

Read more about Paul's drag racing in this week's issue of the Weekend Sun.