A consortium of investors, with a large public and local government backing, have plans and the cash to invest in a multi-use motorsport complex but are unable to secure land on which to build it.

The Government had allocated industrial land in the Port Adelaide area to the complex, but last month told investors, who have been developing plans for more than two years, the land was no longer available.

Governments in other states have put their support behind hubs like the proposed Adelaide motorplex.

The WA Government invested more than $20 million in a motorplex complex in the late 1990s, while the NSW Government contributed to the Western Sydney International Dragway in 2001.

The Northern Territory publicly funded a drag strip in the 1980s and put more than $1.5 million towards the Hidden Valley track, which currently holds a round of the V8 Supercar series. In its last budget, the NT Government committed more than $4 million over three years to maintain the facility, as well as a $1.6 million one-off investment.

Spokesperson for SA investors Anna Micheel said the motorsporting community cannot understand why the Government, which stands to gain financially through selling or leasing land to the consortium, won’t support the proposal.

Ms Micheel said the privately funded complex planned for Adelaide would include a quartermile drag-racing strip, drift-race circuit and a speedway, as well as a business hub.

“If it is completed it will be able to offer apprenticeships for landscaping, mechanics and even things like catering,” she said.

Port Adelaide Mayor Gary Johanson said the proposed complex would be fantastic for the local area.

He said it would have economic benefits as well as benefits for motorsport.

“The motorplex has tremendous public support,” Mr Johanson said.

“It will drive business, tourism and investment into the Port Adelaide area.”

Australian National Drag Racing Association chief executive officer Tony Thornton said Adelaide would be important to the national competition, linking WA with the eastern states.

He said ANDRA was opposed to illegal street racing and wanted to separate the legitimate drag racing sport from illegal activities.

“Drag racing hasn’t happened in Adelaide since 2000,” Mr Thornton said.

“Clipsal and Classic Adelaide are great for the state, and if we could get a motorplex, we could get the same international recognition in drag racing.”

Street Machine Association SA secretary Glenn Stankevicius said the 500 SMA SA members fully supported the motorplex proposal.

“It would be too good to be true to have a drag strip so close to the CBD as well as the other motorsports it would support. We just want to see it up and running,” Mr Stankevicius said.

He said as well as providing a place for people to race and drive, it would provide a flow-on effect for motorsport businesses in the area.

“The money it would generate for speed shops would be huge; people like myself would even consider building their own car.”