Ipswich City Council has released detail images of its planned $220 million upgrade to Queensland Raceway which includes an significant track extension as well as a motocross track, a speedway oval, a three-star hotel and retail outlets.

If given the green light, the $52.34 million dollar circuit extension will form the first phase of the development which would see a left-hand turn added at the end of the front straight leading to a section which would add seven corners to the current six-turn 3.21km stop-and-go circuit.

Known colloquially as ‘The Paper Clip’, the upgrade would add a much-needed technical section to a circuit often criticised for being uninteresting to both riders and spectators.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said: “Our vision is to cement Ipswich’s reputation as Queensland’s leading motorsport destination with financial support from the Queensland and Australian governments.”

And while many circuits around the country are succumbing to the sprawl of residential development, Ipswich City Council safeguarded the circuit of the same fate by implementing a 5km housing buffer zone around the facility when it opened in 1999.