Newtons Playground (Gravity Festival) - OZ

DETAILS of a new event which will see daredevils tackling extreme sports on the slopes of Mount Panorama racing circuit will be released this morning.
Mayor Paul Toole will outline Bathurst Regional Council’s grand plans to bring another attraction to the world famous motorsport venue.

The event, to be called “Newtown’s Playground”, has been pencilled into Mount Panorama’s diary for March 7-9, 2008.

According to council the three-day festival will feature a combination of what it calls gravity-fuelled extreme sports and live music.

It is expected to take place at McPhillamy Park and the Skyline precinct of the circuit.

In Saturday’s Western Advocate council advertised for tenders from: “Suitably qualified persons for an equity partner to invest in the Bathurst Regional Council event to be kown as Newton’s Playground”.

The advertisment stated the events would be held in a festival atmosphere over three days.

It was back in June when the Western Advocate first broke the story about a new event coming to the Mount.

At the time the newspaper reported that one of the events being proposed would be street luge, but it’s believed skateboarding events will also be included.

Councillor Ian North descibed the extreme games as being important for the city.

“It’s only in its early planning stages, but any alternative events we can bring to Mount Panorama apart from motorsport have to be good for Bathurst,” Cr North said.

“I think it’s something that has real potential, especially for the young and the young at heart. I think these extreme games could open up any number of other opportunities.”

Sydney-based street luge fanatic Pat Brennan said Mount Panorama is a heaven-sent venue for the sport of street luge.

“If you’re into street luge it doesn’t get much better,” Mr Brennan said. “The surface is slick and fast. We can reach speeds of 115-125km/h down Conrod Straight.

“It’s just mad, unbelievable ... really good.”

Mr Brennan said people from around Australia and overseas would jump at the chance to test their street luge skills at Bathurst.

“I know a fair bit about what’s being proposed and the interest is incredible,” he said.

A WORLD Cup event is Bathurst bound and Mount Panorama will be the venue.
However, it’s not motorsport that’s expected to lure thousands of people to the famous circuit.

Newton’s Playground, described as a gravity fuelled youth festival for the ultimate adrenaline rush, will make its debut in the city from March 7-9 next year.

The three-day event, sanctioned by the International Gravity Sports Association (IGSA), will become the newest addition to its World Cup international circuit.

Keen to attract a partner from the private sector to make the festival a joint venture, Bathurst Region-al Council will take a 75 per cent stake in the initiative.

Mayor Paul Toole was yesterday talking up the new addition to Mount Panorama’s repertoire.

“We’ve had strong interest from sponsors and media partners so far for what we believe will become an annual event for Bathurst,” Mayor Toole said.

“This new event has been tailored to use the most famously hazardous section of the mountain’s circuit and aims to provide the most spectacular display of gravity-inspired action.”

AJ a écrit:https://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p46/topcorner/Bathurst/?action=view&current=onehotlap.flv

C'a d'lair sick!!!