How about a motor sport estate? by John Oxley
08/06/2006 09:04
Golf estates continue to spring up all over the place, and various Cabinet ministers have expressed reservations about these high-class enclaves, notably for the way they squander resources such as water.
But what about the rest of us, who don't play golf?
How's about a motor sport estate?
Just think about it.
You could have your own tar circuit, nice and tight and bendy, so you can cater for fun and skill rather than pure testosterone (after all, those who could afford to be there probably will have lost the killer instinct).
You could also have a rally cross track, for those who prefer to play in the dirt, and a kart circuit.
You could even have a skidpan for gymkhanas - and teaching your families how to drive.
The skidpan could also double as a sports court when not in use.
All of the above could be set in natural parkland, without the need to water greens (although the skidpan might use a bit of water) with houses strategically positioned so they each have a view of some part of the action.
Race meetings
Residents would draw up a roster for individual practice times, and could also organise their own in-estate race meetings.
They could open up the facilities for track days for outsiders - cars and bikes - who would pay to enter and thus contribute towards the upkeep of the whole thing.
Cyclists and runners could also have their allocated time on the tracks - perhaps early in the morning or in the early evening, when it's cooler - so resident families could use the circuits to keep fit without having to go onto busy roads where they'd have to breath exhaust fumes and risk death or injury.
Motor vehicle racing would only be allowed during reasonable hours, and nobody would complain about the noise anyhow because they'd chosen to live there!
There could be a clubhouse with big screens where motor sport films and live broadcasts would always take preference, and where booze would be available at club prices.
There could be a central garage/pit area where cars or bikes could be stored and prepared, without the need to have them at home.
Of course there'd be all the other facilities for the families to use, such as swimming pools and tennis courts.
And spouses would have the peace of mind of knowing their partners would have no reason to leave the estate or take out frustrations on the open road.
Best of all, there'd be no "controlling body", no politics, and no sponsors trying to call the tune!
