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        Since 1952.

        Established in 1952, ARDC Membership has evolved over 70+ years on the Australian racing scene, from humble beginnings at our home track in Mt Druitt, NSW, to installing Mt Panorama on the motorsport calendar, through to our current standing as Australia’s only on-track Racing Club, operating Sydney Motorsport Park.

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        COMPETITION HOME
        ENTER AN EVENT
        FIRST TIMER SIGN UP

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    Samantha Stevens

    May 15 2025

    SPOTLIGHT ON: Tony Thorne

    With more than 50 years of dedication to motorsport, Tony Thorne has built a remarkable career as a motorsport official, both in Australia and internationally.

    Tony was recently recognised with two prestigious honours, the Supercars Certificate of Excellence for 50 years of service at the Bathurst 1000, and Motorsport Australia’s 40 Years of Service Award at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. Congratulations, Tony!

    As Deputy Chair of the NSW State Officiating Panel, he is currently working alongside Motorsport Australia to develop a national Volunteer Recruitment and Retention program, focused on attracting new officials and building clear pathways within the sport. Reflecting on a journey that has been as rewarding as it has been extensive, Tony hopes to inspire others to discover what’s possible when they take their first steps on the motorsport pathway.

    Tony Thorne Motorsport – Over 50 years of Adventures!

    In March 2025, I arrived in Melbourne for my 40th year and my last Australia Formula One Grand Prix as a motorsport volunteer.

    This year’s event tops off a long motorsport pathway which started way back in the UK in April 1968, at my home racetrack Thruxton in Southwest UK.

    Starting out as a track marshal with the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) and attending their mandatory trackside training, I progressed to being a Flag Marshal at both Thruxton, Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Castle Combe.

    Back in those early days of Formula Cars, you could get up really close to the cars and drivers such as Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt and our own Tim Schenken. 

    We all know motor racing is dangerous and in 1971 at Brands Hatch for the Ken Tyrell celebratory event honouring Jackie Stewart winning his second F1 World Championship, a fiery crash by BRM Swiss driver Jo Siffert claimed his life. Being just two flag posts from that scene brought home the dangers of our sport to me.

    Moving to Australia in 1972 and joining the Australian Automobile Racing Club (AARC) I continued motorsport at Warwick Farm seeing drivers such as Allan Moffat, John Goss, Leo Geoghan and Dick Johnson, and Formula 5000 Tasman series drivers Frank Matich, Kevin Barlett, Max Stewart and Graham McRae. The thunder of those F5000 V8 engines screaming along Hume Straight was just deafening!

    Mount Panorama Bathurst was calling in 1973, along with Amaroo and Oran Park, great circuits and great events.

    Australia received approval for a Formula One Grand Prix in 1985 for a circuit to be built around the streets of Adelaide. An event not to miss, so again being a “Flaggie” listening to those screaming V8, V10 and V12 engines around the Adelaide streets, is a noise the city will never forget.

    With the F1GP moving to Melbourne, the 2025 event will become my 40th Australian Formula One Grand Prix, and also my last, as I reached the goal I set out to achieve!

    In addition to F1 GPs as an accredited CAMS and Motorsport Australia volunteer official, I have been fortunate and privileged to be involved in many outstanding motorsport events such as Supercars, Bathurst 1000 plus Bathurst 24 hour and now Bathurst 12-hour GT events, and three opportunities to marshal at the 24 hour Le Mans in France.

    As a Volunteer Motorsport Official over the past 56 years there have been many highlights, some of which I have already mentioned, however there are three (3) that stand out for different reasons, but each certainly memorable.

    3) 1969 Crystal Palace circuit London – As a track Marshal pulling a driver out of a Formula Ford stranded in the garden bushes, only to find it was James Hunt

    2) 2006 Melbourne F1GP – Assisting Michael Schumacher to get out of a stranded Ferrari caught in a gravel trap and speaking with him during the exercise.

    1) 1988 Adelaide F1GP – Attended a Shell media evening where Murray Walker was interviewing Ayrton Senna.  At the end of the evening not only was I introduced to, spoke with and shook the hand of Murray Walker, but also had the absolute special pleasure and opportunity to speak with and shake the hand of Ayrton Senna.

    Clearly the most memorable event of my motorsport career!

    Perhaps other highlights can include being selected as a team member of the CAMS / Motorsport Australia International Training Team, which was requested by the FAI for the trackside training of marshals of new circuits having their first Formula One Grand Prix.

    Starting in 2004 in Bahrain, and then Singapore, followed by South Korea, which involved many trips to these countries providing both theory and practical training.

    While not F1, our team also went to Manilla Philippines for track side training as a part of their championship series.

    My travels continued within the team going to Russia for their first F1 GP trackside training, certainly an interesting opportunity and venue.

    And our last International Training occurred only a few years ago being called up to go to Doha in Qatar to assist with the trackside officials training for their first Formula One Grand Prix.

    So, looking back over the 50 plus years in motorsport volunteering, its rewarding to see so many developments and safety improvements occurring across our sport.

    It is also rewarding to see a continuing level of volunteers coming into the sport, because without volunteers in our motor sport there simply would not be the sport we all love and enjoy.

    Tony Thorne – Motorsport Accredited Official

    Gold Flags, Silver Sector Bronze, Event Command, Course Presenter and Event Assessor  

    Written by Samantha Stevens · Categorized: News

    Feb 25 2025

    2025 NRL Tipping Comp – ARDC Member Competition

    COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

    Australian Racing Drivers Club,
    400 Ferrers Road,
    Eastern Creek, NSW 2766

    DATES: Competition will start at the commencement of the 2025 NRL Regular Season on Sunday 2nd March 2025.
    The competition will end at the end of the 2025 NRL Regular Season on Sunday 7th September.

    PRIZE: The winner will receive 2 x tickets to the NRL Grand Final held at Accor Stadium in October 2025.

    RULES: This giveaway is a game of chance, not skill.
    To be eligible for any prize, a participant must be:

    1. A current, active, financial, ARDC Member
    2. Participate in more than 50% of the season
    3. Be ranked highest in the results as provided by the NRL.com.au website tipping competition as at midnight, Sunday 7th September
    4. May only have one entry in the competition
    5. Cannot be a current paid  employee (including contractor) of the ARDC.

    To enter, the participant must sign up to the ARDC created tipping competition on the NRL.com website. Link will be provided to Members via email communications, and on request.

    WINNERS: Winner to be announced on Monday, 8th September 2025, decided by the highest placed participant who meets all criteria stated above.

    Winner will be contacted directly by the ARDC, via phone and/or email. Once the winner has been contacted, results will be shared publicly amongst the ARDC Membership base in the ARDC Membership publication, the ARDC Fanbelt.

    If the Member cannot be contacted within 5 business days, the prize will be passed on to the next highest placed participant who meets all criteria stated above (and so on until the winner is found).

    Written by Samantha Stevens · Categorized: News

    Feb 25 2025

    ARDC Member Access to POWERCRUISE 2025

    This weekend, Powercruise rolls into town from Thursday (27th) to Sunday (2nd), and ARDC Members get in for FREE!

    APOLOGIES – POWERCRUISE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING GUEST PASSES.

    HOW TO CLAIM YOUR TICKETS TO POWERCRUISE:
    ARDC Members can show their card and claim their wristbands for entry at Accreditation Point A, which is found inside Sydney Dragway. Look for the ARDC Marquee. It is crucial you have an up-to-date ARDC Membership Card.

     PARKING – FRIDAY & SATURDAY
    Free parking is available in Sydney Dragway
    Parking inside SMSP costs $10 per day. Claim your 3-Day wristband then proceed back out to Ferrers Rd and in to Gate A.

    PARKING – SUNDAY
    Parking inside SMSP is free SUNDAY ONLY

    EVENT MAP
    EVENT INFO

    Written by Samantha Stevens · Categorized: ARDC News, News

    Feb 17 2025

    Member Info: Supercars 2025

    Read on for details, access, Members Suite (Sunday), ticket upgrades and the map of the event.

    ONE ENTRY

    Enthusiast
    Local Hero
    Pit Crew

    TWO ENTRIES

    Official
    Competitor
    Foundation (Member Numbers under 3201)
    Honorary, Life & Enthusiast Plus

    IMPORTANT!

    HOW TO: Enter the venue
    To take advantage of this offer, all you need to do is show your Membership card at the BOX OFFICE on the day! There will be a box office at each entry gate, so you don’t need to worry about heading to a particular gate. Free Parking is available via Gate D off Ferrers Road, near Sydney Dragway.

    WHAT IS INCLUDED: ARDC Members have the ability to claim the following for the weekend: Enthusiast, Local Hero, Pit Crew Members: 1x 3-Day GA Pass Foundation (Member Numbers 3200 and below), Official, Competitor, Honorary, Life & Enthusiast Plus Members 2x 3-Day GA Passes

    If you have Trackside Parking tickets, you will need to enter through Gate B, and claim your tickets there.

    It is crucial you have an up to date ARDC Membership Card. If you do not have your current ARDC Membership card, please contact the ARDC ASAP so we can assist.

    DATE CUTOFF: Your 2025 Membership must be renewed or purchased before noon Tuesday February 18, 2025.

    Trackside Parking and Grandstand upgrades will not be included, they must be purchased separately via the Supercars website.
    EVENT INFO AND TICKET UPGRADES    

    PARKING
    Free Parking is available via Gate D off Ferrers Road, near Sydney Dragway. You can find a venue map for where to enter at the bottom of this page. Once your Membership is verified, you will receive a 3-Day GA ticket from the Box Office staff, which you will then use to enter the venue for all three days.

    NOTE: If you have purchased Trackside Parking tickets, you will need to enter through Gate B, and claim your tickets there.

    ARDC MEMBERS SUITE
    FRIDAY 21ST 12PM ‘TIL END OF RACING
    SUNDAY 23RD 10AM ‘TIL END OF RACING
    In addition, I’m so excited to share this special bonus for ARDC Members! ARDC Members will have exclusive access to the best seat in the house, the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP)! Built with motorsport in mind, and kitted out to not miss a minute, the AMIP features: 217″ screen for you to watch all the action, all day long Multiple 86″ screens up and downstairs A balcony directly over the start line, with views of more of the circuit than anywhere else in the venue I can’t wait to see you all there!
    Ian Hansen Membership, Sustainability, and Community Manager

    EVENT MAP

    SMSP 2025 ARDC Members Suite

      SUPERCARS VENUE MAP    

    Written by Samantha Stevens · Categorized: ARDC News, News

    Dec 09 2024

    ARDC Fanbelt, December 2024

    View full page flipbook

    Written by Samantha Stevens · Categorized: ARDC News, Fanbelt ENews, News Archive, President's Report

    Aug 21 2024

    WTAC 2024 for Members

    WORLD TIME ATTACK
    August 30 – 31

    World Time Attack Challenge 2024 Member Tickets
    Discount valid for ARDC Member + 1 guest (two tickets for all Membership tiers)
    Valid Friday, Saturday or Two-Day General Admission Passes only.
    10% OFF – see instructions below.
    This is an online-only offer, valid up to the day of the event. Offer not available at the gate.
    To claim your tickets, just scroll down and follow the instructions below.

    Member Suite Details
    Saturday 31st: 12:00pm till 7:30pm

    ARDC Members will have exclusive access to the best seat in the house, the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP).

    You can find the AMIP building right next to the grandstand, you’ll find a map below to show you how to get there.

    Perched over the start/finish line and built with motorsport in mind, and kitted out to not miss a minute, the AMIP features plenty of screens and amazing views of the entire circuit. If you’ve not joined us in there yet, you do not want to miss out!

    While the suite will not be fully catered, we will have our usual tea, coffee, and nibbles. You are more than welcome to buy food and bring it in to sit down and enjoy the entertainment!

    I can’t wait to see you all there!

    Ian Hansen, ARDC Membership and Community Manager.

    NOTE: PLEASE READ INTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE CLAIMING TICKETS 
     

    1. Follow the link at the bottom of the document to reach the below page, and then click on the link ‘Have an access / promo code?’ 
    1. A text box will then appear. Enter ‘_ARDC’ followed by your Member number i.e., _ARDCXXXX in that text box and click ‘Unlock’.
      YES, you need to include the underscore ( _ ) before ARDC and your number 🙂
    1. From there, select tickets and then click ‘Get Tickets’ in the blue box at the bottom: 

    NOTE: All ARDC Members are entitled to up to Two (2) x discounted tickets.  

    1. You will then be asked your preferred delivery option, as well refund protection: 

      A screenshot of a website

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    1. Enter your personal details, click ‘Place Order’, and you’re good to go!  

    NOTE: Your ticket will be emailed/SMS’d to you based on your preferred delivery method. 

    To claim your tickets, just click HERE.  
    Alternatively, you can go to https://worldtimeattack.com/ and click ‘BUY TICKETS’ 

    Written by Samantha Stevens · Categorized: ARDC News · Tagged: access, entry, festival, ticket, WTAC

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