The Australian Racing Drivers Club

For members and guests

ARDC News

ARDC Fanbelt, June 2023

What an absolute honour it is to be writing to you all this month in my new capacity as President and Chair of the Board of The Australian Racing Drivers Club, having been elected to the role at the club’s Annual General Meeting in May. And what big racing shoes to fill after Andrew Leithhead’s outstanding 14-year leadership at the helm. I’m pleased to advise that although Andrew has chosen to step down as President, he has agreed to remain on the board and has taken on the role as Deputy Vice President. Andrew’s tenure as President has overseen so many significant developments at our home at Sydney Motorsport Park, including the Brabham expansion of the track, installation of circuit wide LED lighting, the creation of the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct, and presiding over a continuance of multiple events and programs. Our ARDC membership base has quadrupled over this time too. I am sure you’ll all agree he’s done an incredible job, and we thank him for all his hard work, dedication, and leadership.

Congratulations to Jamie McDonald who was elected at the AGM as our new Vice President! I’m very much looking forward to working alongside Jamie as Vice President, Andrew as Deputy Vice President, my fellow ARDC Directors, Glenn Matthews our CEO and his amazing team, our officials, volunteers, partners and Members. I hope that as a motorsport enthusiast and competitor on both two- and four-wheels, combined with my six years on the ARDC Board, and my long long-standing business and board career, that I can continue to shape the Club’s future. Fuelled of course by the ideas, enthusiasm, passion and assistance of our Members!

Together I believe we can continue the Club’s 70 years history of best-in-class Australian Motorsport stewardship, circuit management and presentation, hosting exhilarating events and experiences, and passionate ARDC Member representation. Each month I hope to be able to continue to bring you exciting news and updates of this important and exciting journey. 

As for the AGM itself, it was terrific to receive the yearly report from Glenn Matthews (ARDC CEO). Glenn provided a terrific outline of the ARDC’s current financial position (particularly coming out of COVID); the continued growth and stability of the ARDC Membership; the exciting racing calendar ahead at SMSP; the important work we are doing around sustainability, and the continued progress of the Stage One building of the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP). As its opening is now only weeks away, I’m excited to be able to share more news in next month’s newsletter about our AMIP’s grand opening, our foundation tenants, and future plans. 

We hope you will join us at the track through June for the HSRCA Sydney Classic 2023, the Shannons Trophy Series, or perhaps the St. George Motorcycle Club’s 2023 Endurance Series. I look forward to seeing and meeting many of you at some of our other key events coming up this year including Word Time Attack, the TCR Championship, Masterblast ’23 and the Beaurepaires Sydney Supernight 28-30 July!

The ARDC marketing team will be updating everyone about Member access and arrangements to the Supercars event in the coming weeks. In the meantime, don’t forget to put the ARDC’s MasterBlast ’23 event featuring the Muscle Car Masters in your diaries for September!Happy Racing,
Natalie.
president@ardc.com.au
Pictured from left: Andrew Leithhead, Jamie McDonald, Natalie Turmine and Glenn Matthews
at the recent 71st ARDC Annual General Meeting, May 2023.
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Farewell, and thanks.
This month’s President’s Message has a new author… and this month’s newsletter contains my last annual report as ARDC President!

At the Annual General Meeting on 24th May I advised that I would not be re-nominating for the position of ARDC President. I have been incredibly privileged to lead our Club for 14 years and together with our Board, CEO, staff team, volunteers and Members, we have achieved some big things since 2009.

However, it is time for me to step down and make way for new blood and new thinking. Renewal is very important in all organisations, and I am glad that the Board has elected Natalie Turmine as our new President and Jamie McDonald as Vice President. While I will remain on the Board and have accepted the role of Deputy Vice President, Nat and Jamie are now driving!

The ARDC of 2023 is the result of the cumulative effort of many people over more than 70 years. I am very conscious that whatever has been achieved during my tenure as President has been built on the foundations provided by my predecessors. I also want to recognise that it has only been possible for me to serve as President with the ongoing support, encouragement and honest feedback of the ARDC Members.

I’m excited to see how the Club progresses under new leadership and I’m looking forward to having some extra time to spend on the track!
As I said earlier, it has been a great privilege.
Thanks,
Andrew.
2023 ARDC AGM Report
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MEMBER ACCESS AT SUPERCARS
We know you’ve been waiting for this one!
In a few more days the ARDC should have our offering for Members finalised; we are confident of General Admission (GA) tickets for Members and Guests, as per the last few years and with thanks to Supercars… but are investigating options for Members to upgrade to Grandstand or Park’N’View (or both).
Stay tuned! 
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LAST CHANCE TO GRAB YOUR FREE TICKETS!
Australian Motor Heritage Foundation Presents: Bondy ‘Mr Versatile’ Fireside Chat
Our friends over at the AMHF are starting their fireside chats with a bang, hosting Mr Versatile himself on the 23rd of June at 10am at SMSP in the Hinxman Room!
Call us or check your Member News in your inbox to claim your free ticket!

 
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VIVID DRONE SHOW OPERATORS FEATURING AT MASTERBLAST ’23
Did you see the drone show at Vivid this year? It was SPECTACULAR! (watch it HERE).

Well, Skyworx Drone Shows will be back at this year’s Masterblast, taking to the SMSP sky with 500 drones on the Saturday night! You won’t want to miss it!

Along with our Car- and Bike-themed Drone Show at around 7pm, we also have Tuned International on the SMSP main straight, the brand new Sydney Hillclimb takes on the Amaroo South Circuit, and Drifting with Driving Sports on the Figure 8.

Why not grab a Park’N’View spot to watch it all from the comfort of your car, or camp overnight and see the show from your home-away-from-home? Both are FREE FOR ARDC MEMBERS!

TICKETS LAUNCHING SOON. Save the weekend of September 9-10, 2023 for all the metal and muscle, displays and drone shows; a great two-days for any car enthusiast!

SYDNEYMASTERBLAST.COM

Sponsorship opportunities in a variety of forms and activations are now available! For enquiries, please contact Peter Larum at peter@ardc.com.au or 0419 732 029.
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The Great Race: ARDC Born and Bred – Exclusive Premier Suite
Have you booked your place yet? We have! And a good thing too, as these places are SOLD OUT on the Supercars site!
The ARDC has booked a Premier Pit Suite at the 2023 Repco Bathurst 1000 and is offering Members an exclusive opportunity to join us.
The ARDC’s suite is positioned at pit exit with a balcony and views of the main straight and turn one. The experience includes access to the event, an air-conditioned suite with TV’s so you won’t miss a second of the action, full catering for all three days, beverage package, a goodies bag on arrival, and much more to come! All for $2000pp inc GST.
We are so excited to share this limited Anniversary experience with our Members: Packages are available to book NOW by emailing the ARDC.See you trackside at The Great Race!




Nightshift for Cars will be back in May, with a combined Beginner/Intermediate group joining Race Cars. Grab a mate, give us a call for your discount code and come enjoy SMSP under lights! Don’t forget, you can use one or both of your 50% Discounts on Nightshift events!
When: Wednesday 28th June
Groups: Beginner/IntermediateRace Cars
NIGHTSHIFT FOR CARS TICKETS
Remember, ARDC Members are always entitled to a full refund. So book now and if we need to postpone, we can rebook or refund you!
To get your 50% Members discount, email reception@ardc.com.au, or give us a call at 9672 1000. Follow the link above to our ticket page and book now!

KEY EVENTS IN JUNE

Fri 2nd – Sunday 4th
Fastrack and Supercar Drive
Members receive a 10% discount! Fastrack Website.

Sat 10th –  Sun 11th    
HSCRA Summer Classic
Free entry for ARDC Members and Guests. Show your card at the gate.

Wed 14th    
Open Pit Lane Track Day
Places available – Click Here.

Fri 16th – Sun 18th    
Shannons Nationals Trophy Series
Free entry for ARDC Members and Guests. Show your card at the gate.

Fri 30th    
ARDC Private Practice – Test & Tune
Enter here.
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 NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERSMOTOSCHOOL IS GO!

We are excited to announce a new bike track school provider, Motoschool!
Their first event at SMSP is this month, Friday Night Lights, is an evening event on the Amaroo South Circuit and starts at $249. 
Entry includes:

MOTOSCHOOL Team T-Shirt
Full rider safety briefing, professional course control & track marshalling
Four track riding sessions under lights (approx 20 minutes per session)
Graded coaching groups – based on skill & ability, catering to all Riders, all bikes, all levels 
Four classroom rider coaching sessions covering a multitude of motorcycle skills & fundamentals
4k Rider Video shadowing & review using the latest technology

Check out motoschool.com.au or go straight to the event info/ticketing link page HERE.

 

Kumho Tyre NSW Sports Sedans to contest championship at ARDC Super 70 race meeting.

This weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park the Kumho Tyre NSW Sports Sedans will contest Round 4 of their Championship as part of the ARDC Super 70 race meeting, together with the Precision National Sports Sedan Series.

This race meeting celebrates the 70th birthday of the Australian Racing Driver’s Club and as such they have a fantastic array of racing planned, including earlier era, Group N Historic Touring Cars, Group S Historic Sports Cars, Heritage Group C & A Cars, and the HQ Holdens. In addition to these will be Production Touring Cars, Superkarts and yours’ truly Sports Sedans. Whilst it’s racing by day, at night the party continues on Saturday night with Tuned International’s monster car show, figure 8 drifting and the Skyworx drone show. This is a race meeting not to be missed.

The grid for Sports Sedans is at full track capacity of 38 cars, thanks to the amalgamation of both our State Championship and those from the National Series into one enormous grid of the thundering, winged monsters on racing slicks, aiming to set a new tin top sedan lap record.

The State and Division 1 Championships have opened up following Round 3, with the then clear leader of the Championships, Birol Cetin being unable to compete following an incident in qualifying in his Camaro. Birol will be keen to make amends this weekend, as he takes on Steven Lacey in the “sister car” Camaro to regain the Championship lead. They will no doubt be kept honest by third place State competitor Theo Cambouris, in his Division 2 Commodore, who has been quietly amassing point due his consistency during the first three rounds in both the State and Divisional Championships. The Division 3 Championship is presently led by David Atkin in his V8 powered BMW. Across all Divisions there will be battles aplenty with 20 of the 38 cars on the grid fighting for State points.

The Duggan Family Hotels’ Aston Martin, usually driven by Mark Duggan, will this weekend be driven by Supercars ace Andre Heimgartner competing in the National Series, whilst Mark will drive the Jack Daniel’s 2010 VE Commodore PE 048, which he piloted at Bathurst earlier this year in the DFH Bathurst Combined Sedans.

The contest for the National Series, currently led by Jordan Caruso’s Audi A4 is bound to be hard fought, with Championship second place holder Steven Tamasi in his Holden Calibra only 19 points behind Caruso leading into this weekend. Third and fourth place in the National series is held by Shane Woodman & Michael Robinson, respectively in their V8 powered machines.

Photos

ARDC DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP CARDS

The ARDC is celebrating 70 years in 2022!

THANK YOU to all of our Members, Officials and Volunteers for the past 70 years. Here’s to quite a few more!

We wish to inform all current Members of a new 70th Anniversary digital member pass, which will be coming out to you in the next 24 hours.

The passes that are being updated and sent out over SMS via MyPass are the following:

  • Car and Bike Competitor
  • Car and Bike Enthusiast
  • Guest Passes (All valid Members).

Pass holders of Volunteer/Official cards, Enthusiast Plus Member cards, Honorary and Life Members, and Pit Crew will not need to install a new pass. You will see your pass update automatically in the next 24 hours.

If you have any issues, please contact our Membership team on reception@ardc.com.au or +612 9672 1000, we are more than happy to help.

CLICK HERE for information on about using this pass at upcoming events! 

– The ARDC Membership Team

ARDC INTRODUCES ‘LOCAL HEROES’ MEMBERSHIP

The ARDC has a long and proud history of supporting many worthwhile causes as both a not-for-profit motoring and motorsport Club, and as part of its Sydney Motorsport Park operations.

The year 2020 has proved extremely challenging, starting with the ravage of bushfires followed by flooding, and then the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As a special thank you to our Local Heroes who have been working tirelessly for the community this year in the face of these disasters, the ARDC is offering discounted Car or Bike Enthusiast Memberships for those on the front line. During this challenging time for all, we want to support our hardworking Local Heroes, as they have continued to support us and our community.

Frontline Workers and First Responders include medical and health workers including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and ambulance staff, policemen and women. We are also extending the offer to firefighters, as an acknowledgment of their work during the Australian Bushfires.

Volunteer Heroes – 50% discount

ONE YEAR Enthusiast MEMBERSHIP (Normally $95, now $47.50)

ENJOY 12 MONTHS WITH A VIP PASS TO AMAZING MOTORSPORT EXPERIENCES FUELLED BY THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB (ARDC) AT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK!

Staff Heroes – 25% discount

ONE YEAR Enthusiast MEMBERSHIP (Normally $95, now $71.25) 

Our Membership: We love motorsport and we know you do too. ARDC Membership offers hundreds of dollars in benefits for a low-cost annual fee – it’s the ultimate access pass to Sydney Motorsport Park. Choose from either a Car or Bike Membership as an entry-level Enthusiast, and enjoy the benefits.

ARDC Members get more value than ever before, with complimentary spectator entry to many of the exciting and entertaining racing events at SMSP. Plus, Member only events, discounts on Track and Ride Days as well as variety of extra benefits with our reciprocal rights corporate partners.

In 2020 SMSP are very excited to welcome a new 2-Car Supercars team to the venue. We have also made live, full circuit night lights for evening events and experiences under lights, as well as commencing construction of a new Motorsport Australia Centre of Excellence.

ENTHUSIAST MEMBERSHIP

The Enthusiast Membership program is suited to Car or Bike enthusiasts or avid fans of motorsport who wish to take full advantage of the amazing events and experiences offered to you at Sydney Motorsport Park. This Membership encompasses all of our amazing offers, events and experiences. You can save $1,000’s every year and support the ARDC which powers Sydney Motorsport Park.

CAR OR BIKE MEMBERSHIP

When you purchase your Membership, you will be able to choose between a Car or Bike Membership. Not only does choosing the appropriate Membership help us to communicate exactly what you want to see, do and watch at SMSP, but also saves you money on Car or Bike Track Days, with added Member discounts, parking privileges and much, much more!

HOW TO JOIN

To redeem the offer, Local Heroes will need to identify themselves using their Association ID Card or a digital/printed Frontline Workers and First Responders email from the key contact from their Association/organisation.

From all of us at the ARDC… Thank you Local Heroes, as we appreciate the commitment and dedication of all staff and volunteers on the Frontline during this difficult period. We can’t wait to welcome you as a member of the ARDC for a fuel-charged introduction to the track.

POLE POSITION AT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK – A NEW ERA OF RACING

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2020: The first of 132 light towers was installed on pole position today at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), placing the Western Sydney venue in the spotlight as Australia’s first permanent motorsport facility with the ability to operate both day and night.

The light tower was craned in and installed in front of representatives from the NSW Government, Supercars, and the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), signalling a new era of motorsport in Australia.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said he was proud to see the NSW Government’s strategic multi-million-dollar investment at SMSP come to fruition, resulting in permanent circuit lighting and the establishment of Australia’s first and only motorsport Centre of Excellence.

“It’s a new era of racing and the 2020 Lighting Project at the Western Sydney Motorsport Precinct couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said.

“We know that COVID-19 is taking its toll on this State, and racing can be a real morale boost for those isolating at home, so it will be fantastic when motor racing gets back on track.”

The project will see SMSP lead the field to become the ‘Silverstone of the southern hemisphere’; not only opening up track access for motorsport, but also substantial opportunities to further grow local tourism, investment, employment, and the development of existing on-site programs targeting performance engineering, education and training.

“ARDC’s strategic direction will build on motorsport engineering excellence to develop a Western Sydney hub for technology innovation and education,” said ARDC President, Andrew Leithhead.

“This lighting project will enable Sydney Motorsport Park to become a 24/7 home for a broad spectrum of stakeholders in motorsport, driver training, tourism, entertainment and manufacturing in the heart of Australia’s fastest growing urban area.”

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said the introduction of lights at SMSP offered significant opportunities for the future of motorsport in Australia.

“Seeing this project come to life is fantastic for Supercars and our fans across the state,” he said.

“To be able to race at night under permanent lights here at SMSP is something we’ve been working towards for a long time. We look forward to getting on track as soon as possible.”

SMSP delivers year-round events which attract 330,000 visitors annually, with over 35 major events and multiple grassroots racing and car club events, plus many school and community events from across Greater Sydney.

“Sydney Motorsport Park is one of the busiest tracks not just in Australia, but in the world,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.

“We enjoy an occupancy rate of around 96%, and that was one of the reasons the Government was happy to support us in providing funding for the permanent lighting project.

“Lighting allows us to fit even more events into our calendar; not only enabling motorsport fans and enthusiasts, competitors and manufacturers more access to our world-class facility, but also opening doors for substantial opportunities to further grow the Western Sydney night economy.”

The $33M package of Government initiatives for the broader Western Sydney motorsport precinct saw $16.4 million go towards creating Australia’s first motorsport circuit with permanent lighting.

The 2020 Lighting Project will see 132 light towers with 864 individual light fittings placed around the four circuits and training Skidpan at SMSP. Advances in technology have allowed a minimum 400LUX lighting for all circuit configurations, and 800LUX on the main Brabham Straight, with the ability to run the circuits independently to save power. The system itself has a green tick, utilising the latest LED Technology from world leaders in floodlighting systems, MUSCO Lighting.

The unfortunate circumstances surrounding COVID-19 from February this year saw the temporary shutting of the Eastern Creek track, however this allowed the lighting project to move ahead rapidly, while maintaining approximately 100 jobs on site. The installation of the lighting at SMSP will continue at racing pace during this enforced track shutdown, ready for racers to get back on track when current restrictions lift.

DETAILS: The SMSP Lighting Project

  • $16.4 million Government investment
  • 132 light towers, including 864 individual light fittings.
  • Lighting all four variations of the circuit, plus paddock and skid pan.
  • Power is 800LUX main Brabham Straight, with a minimum of 400LUX on the rest of the circuit. Temporary lights seen in the inaugural Sydney SuperNight in 2019 had temporary generator-powered lights capable of 150LUX.
  • Ability to light individual parts of the track and precinct, plus change the colour of the lighting on the main straight.
  • Over 100 jobs created and maintained through COVID-19, plus local manufacturing support.
  • Technology: Lighting the smaller Druitt North Circuit five years ago quoted at $17 million, now entire circuit and precinct for $16.4 million with fibre optic connection.
  • Projected 40% increase in access capacity.
  • The first official event to mark the return of racing at SMSP (after and subject to COVID-19 restrictions) is Supercars under lights, using a combination of the new light towers and generator light towers.

SYDNEY MASTERBLAST FT. MUSCLE CAR MASTERS™ POSTPONED TO 2021

OFFICIAL RELEASE 05/06/20: The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park, along with key stakeholders and category managers have agreed to postpone the 16th running of the annual Sydney MasterBlast Ft. Muscle Car Masters™ in the interest of public health and safety.

With restrictions due to COVID-19 still in place for large sporting venues, and the Fathers’ Day weekend date fast approaching, it has been deemed impossible to hold such a large-scale annual event which typically sees competitor entries of around 300 teams and over 8000 spectators.

Travel restrictions, lack of track time for competitors in the lead up to the event, and financial considerations for all involved are also a factor in the decision.

“The ARDC has made this decision in the best interest of the event, the competitors, and the fans who flock every year to this historic annual event,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.

“’Safety first’ is key to all our operations at SMSP, be it motorsport or the health and wellbeing of our officials, competitors, and spectators.”

Last year, the Muscle Car Masters™ had a makeover; rebranded as the Sydney MasterBlast ft. the Muscle Car Masters™, the event went back to its traditional home of the Father’s Day weekend, saw the return of Touring Car Masters, the debut of motorbikes and superkarts, and most importantly the addition of night racing under lights.

“It was a great step forward for this hallmark event, and it is nigh on impossible to hold it with current COVID-19 restrictions,” said Matthews.

“All parties involved in the organisation and promotion of the event are in agreement: we will postpone the 2020 event to come back bigger and better than ever in 2021, under the bright beams of our 134 permanent light towers and hopefully with no restrictions on competitor or crowd numbers.”

The ARDC is focussed on the competitor, and in its stead will hold a round of the NSW Motor Race Championships. Some categories from Sydney MasterBlast may be able to enter and race alongside the NSW MRC’s usual suspects, offering up some much-needed competition track time on one of the country’s top racing circuits.

“We would like to thank our competitors, our volunteers, event sponsors, and spectators for the ongoing support and understanding, and hope to see Sydney MasterBlast back in 2021 with a full racing schedule and packed grandstand under permanent lights,” finished Matthews.