Darwin’s new international standard motocross grand prix track has been finished, costing at least five times what the former Labor Government estimated it would, with the Motocross Grand Prix of Australia to be held there in two weeks.

Motorcycling Australia chief executive officer Peter Doyle said the 1.6km track which features 22 turns, 21 leaps, a 90-meter launch straightaway, undulating waves, a triple step-up, and jumps that reach 30 meters, was developed by Australia’s leading motocross track builders, Protraxx, with foundational work by Sitzler.

Mr Doyle said the newly completed track was designed to meet Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Motocross World Championship standards, and would be used for at least five years, beginning with hosting the three-day Motocross Grand Prix of Australia beginning on September 19.

“The build-up to the MXGP of Australia has already been huge, but now the anticipation has gone to another level with the official unveiling of this magnificent grand prix layout,” Mr Doyle said.

“It’s no shrinking violet either. it’s been engineered to provide the ultimate challenge for all riders, from the MXGP elite to the juniors who will be competing in the MA Motocross State Challenge.”

Mr Doyle said the event was the first time in 24 years that the FIM Motocross World Championship will be held in Australia.

Protraxx director Josh Proctor said he was proud to have created the custom-built track.

“It has been a significant effort from our team, and everyone involved in the lead-up to this build, and the result is a world-class circuit designed to challenge the best riders in the world and provide fans with an unforgettable racing experience,” Mr Proctor said.

Major Events Minister Marie-Clare Boothby estimated there would be about 32,000 attendees over three days, with visitors from all states and territories and international visitors from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, and a broadcast audience of 700 million people in 100 countries.

In February Ms Boothby said that before NT election in August last year Labor announced the event, saying it would cost $1.65 million to build the track but she said the real cost was $8.15 million. She said the previous government has also not allocated money to hosting the event.

To fund the project, the CLP said it would redirect $6.5 million from a proposed National Basketball League deal that it said Labor had secretly negotiated but not signed.

The Finocchiaro Government has not told Territorians how much it would spend running the event which is being done in collaboration with Infront Moto Racing, the rights-holder for MXGP, along with Motorcycling Australia.