Whyalla steelworks saviour Sanjeev Gupta joins plans to lure Formula E electric car racing to Adelaide

WHYALLA steelworks saviour Sanjeev Gupta has thrown his weight behind a bid to lure Formula E racing to Adelaide’s city circuit.

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WHYALLA steelworks saviour Sanjeev Gupta has thrown his weight behind a bid to lure Formula E racing to Adelaide’s city circuit.

The billionaire industrialist has met with Lord Mayor Martin Haese to discuss the plans to bring the worldwide electric street racing series to South Australia as soon as next year.

Mr Gupta has also sought advice from former Australian Grand Prix boss Mal Hemmerling.

Tech entrepreneur Valdis Dunis, who is leading the campaign with a group including Mr Gupta, hopes the city will be added to next year’s Formula E season – possibibly in September or October to co-incide with the Darwin-to-Adelaide solar challenge.

“It’s a really good fit with Sanjeev Gupta who is looking to build electric vehicles here or in Victoria so it’s all coming together,” he said.

“It’s now about speaking to the Formula E people in London and locking in the support of everyone here.”

There are hopes for Adelaide to be added to next year’s Formula E season. Picture: Sam Bloxham / Jaguar Panasonic Racing via Getty Images

Mr Dunis said the race would be on a reconfigured version of the former Formula 1 track and expected the event to generate $40 million to $100 million economic benefit to the state.

Perth and Surfers Paradise are preparing competing bids.

“The biggest viewership is in China and Japan so it fits really well with our time-zone,” he said. “We have one big Chinese company that has invested in the Hong Kong race and we’re in talks with them to help us bring a race to Adelaide.

“Our biggest selling point is we did the Formula 1 really well, we do the Bay to Birdwood, the solar challenge, the Adelaide 500 - we have a real car culture that the other cities don’t. We ran the best Formula 1 race in the world and the Formula E people tell us how much they’d love to bring a race to Adelaide.”

In a column for The Advertiser’s Future Adelaide series, Mr Gupta – executive chairman of GFG Alliance – says SA would be better placed to attract business investment from around the world if it hosted more world-class events, such as Formula E.

He said hosting a Formula E race aligned “perfectly with the state’s passion for motorsport and renewable energy”.

Formula E became the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater street racing series when it was launched in 2014.

The current series included races in Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Rome and Paris, with the final race taking place in New York next month.

Drivers include Nico Prost and Nelson Piquet Junior – sons of former Formula 1 world champions.

Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

British Industrialist Sanjeev Gupta. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the prospect of hosting a Formula E race in Adelaide was gaining momentum. “Council does not have a formal position on Formula E but as discussions and plans mature, I would certainly advocate to my council as well as the State Government that Adelaide bid to be added to the annual race calendar,” he said.

“Adelaide has a deserved reputation as a festival destination and is an Australian pioneer in motorsports events.

“In alignment with the city’s strong smart and green credentials, Formula E may be a great addition to Adelaide’s event calendar.”

Mr Gupta has previously outlined plans to build Formula 1-inspired electric vehicles at the former Holden plant at Elizabeth or shuttered Ford factory at Geelong.

Mr Dunis said the fast acceleration of Formula E cars were perfect for a tight city track like Adelaide.

Tourism Minister David Ridgway has met with Formula E representatives.

“While we would never say never to the event, currently there’s no appetite for another street circuit race in Adelaide,” he said. It was also revealed yesterday Mr Gupta’s company SIMEC Mining, an affiliate of GFG Alliance, is carrying out due diligence on the Maldorky and Grants iron ore projects in north-eastern SA, owned by Adelaide company Havilah Resources.