MOTORSPORT: Giant Wales gig for Whitaker

A one-time V8 Supercar chief executive has been appointed to run a planned racetrack in Wales estimated to cost between half and three-quarters of a billion dollars.

The controversial Circuit of Wales, which will also have a technology park and rival the grandeur of modern Middle Eastern circuits if completed, was given final planning permission this week, with Martin Whitaker named its CEO.

Englishman Whitaker became chief executive of V8 Supercars in April 2010 on a four-year contract but left Australia within 18 months.

He was then to have been V8 Supercars' international director with the task "to progress its plans to stage up to six annual events outside Australia and New Zealand by 2015".

However, Whitaker disappeared from the scene, instead establishing a boutique sports, event management and business development consultancy, Sportique88, with offices in Britain and Bahrain – and there have been no V8 Supercar Championship rounds outside Australia and NZ this year.

A new round is scheduled in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, in mid-August next year, with the prospect of another Asian event on the horizon.

Whitaker had come to Australia from Bahrain, where he had overseen the Middle East's first Formula 1 grand prix from 2004 and hosted four visits by V8 Supercars at the desert island's lavish circuit.

He had previously worked for Formula One Management, motorsport's governing body the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, the RAC Motor Sports Association in Britain, as well as the McLaren F1 team and had been Ford's motorsport director.

Cost estimates for the Circuit of Wales this week have ranged from A$535 million to A$675 million.

Delays in starting construction because of legal hurdles, including an eight-day public inquiry, meant that it has been unable to stage Britain's MotoGP, for which it has a five-year contract, but which this year had to be held at Silverstone – and it will be again next year.

Whitaker will be employed at the new site in south Wales by the circuit developer, Heads of the Valleys Development Company (HOTVDC), which said he would be "charged with managing the transformation of 830 acres [336 hectares] of Blaenau Gwent into an international motorsport circuit, technology park and training facility, utilising his extensive experience of working both on and off track".

The announcement said Whitaker's arrival would allow HOTVDC chief Michael Carrick to focus his attentions on managing the project's finances.

"Martin's track record speaks for itself as he is one of the few men operating at the top level of international motorsport whose experience covers almost every facet of the sport," Carrick said.

"As we now focus our attentions on the build phase of the project, Martin's guidance and experience will be invaluable to realising its potential as a catalyst for investment in the local economy and across the motorsport industry in Britain."

Whitaker said he felt "enormous excitement" and looked forward to "working to deliver this unique project".

"I am passionate about the economic and social benefits that a venue such as the Circuit of Wales will bring and firmly believe that the time is ripe for this development, not only as an amazing entertainment and leisure centre but as an invaluable resource for the entire British motorsport and automotive industry."