Jersey Kart and Motor Club: Grant: Sorel Point Kart Track Development

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A decision made 18 August 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-E-2017-0033
Decision Summary Title :	Approval of grant of £20,000 to Jersey Kart and Motor Club to support the development of the Kart Track at Sorel Point		Date of Decision Summary:	14th August 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Deputy Chief Executive		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Approval of grant of £20,000 to Jersey Kart and Motor Club to support development of the Kart Track at Sorel Point		Date of Written Report:	14th August 2017
Written Report Author:	Deputy Chief Executive		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Approval of grant of £20,000 to Jersey Kart and Motor Club to support the development of the Kart Track at Sorel Point
Decision(s): The Minister approved the award of a grant, subject to contract and conditions, of £20,000 to the Jersey Kart and Motor Club to support the development of the Kart Track at Sorel Point
Reason(s) for Decision: The Grant is made to assist with the expansion and redevelopment of the track as part of plans to increase visitor numbers and extend the potential duration of stay. The investment also recognises and discharges a longstanding commitment on the part of the States of Jersey to assist the Partner in finding permanent new premises, following the historical compulsory purchase of the Partner’s former facilities at Belle Vue, St Brelade.
Resource Implications: Provision has been made within the Department’s 2017 budget for the grant of £20,000. There are no further financial or manpower implications for the States.
Action required: The Minister instructs the Deputy Chief Executive to issue the Grant Agreement in accordance with Financial Direction 5.5 ‘Management of Grants’.
Signature: Connétable S W Pallett		Position: Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed)

Jersey Kart and Motor Club: Grant: Sorel Point Kart Track Development

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Economic Development, Tourism,

Sport and Culture

Ministerial Decision Report

Approval of grant of £20,000 to Jersey Kart and Motor Club to

support development of the Kart Track at Sorel Point

Purpose of Report

Request for grant funding, subject to contract and conditions, of £20,000 to the Jersey Kart and Motor Club (JKMC) to support the development of the Kart Track at Sorel Point

2. Background

When the JKMC former Belle Vue track was purchased by the States for housing there was a commitment to assist the JKMC in locating and developing a new race circuit. The loop road at Sorel Point was eventually identified and following a long and expensive process, with various challenges along the way, approved plans for a circuit commensurate with the one lost have now been agreed.

The Partner has undertaken the planning, met all the strict requirements, obtained approval, obtained the land owners consents and suitable leases and have self-funded the first phase of the circuit and are now keen to secure investment that will allow them to deliver a more ambitious second stage.

The Department on behalf of the States has committed to support the development of sporting facilities in the Island generally and strongly believes this second phase investment of the circuit deserves support in light of original commitments given and the growth in popularity of the sport, where during the current racing season over 30 competitors have been racing regularly and have once again started to attract overseas competitors.

Racing takes place on this circuit 20 days a year through the summer and attracts significant spectator interest. The vast majority of competitors are girls and boys within the 6 to 15 age group and for this season’s first race there were 33 competitors, which contrasts with only 12 three years ago.

In the past the JKMC successfully hosted a long weekend of racing at Belle Vue followed by a hill climb. These events often attracted large number of overseas competitors from the South of England. With the re-developed track the Partner could look to reintroduce such an event.

The new track will become the longest in the Channel Islands and is expected to attract a number of regular competitors from Guernsey as well as the UK and France if JKMC can co-ordinate events with other activities such as the Jersey International Motoring Festival, the August Bouley Bay Hill Climb and equivalent events in Guernsey, so that the islands are viewed as a karting ‘holiday’ venue, with beaches and various other attractions for the downtime.

The JKMC has an excellent record of driver development but with the new Phase 2 short circuit option, additional training could be provided to the youngest drivers in a safe environment. The Club has also acquired club karts and equipment and set up the ‘Kids into Karts’ (KIK’s) programme which allows young people to try the sport before having to commit to buying a kart and all the associated equipment

The Grant is made to help complete the funding required to complete Phase 2 of the Partner investment, increase the capacity for future event-led tourism and contribute towards future on and off Island participation.

3. Requirement

Provision has been made within the Department’s 2017 budget for the grant of £20,000. There are no further financial or manpower implications for the States.

4. Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to approve the non-recurring grant as the States contribution towards the full redevelopment costs of the Sorel Point track.