As the operator of Sydney Motorsport Park, which is part of the Western Sydney Parklands, the Australian Racing Drivers Club is proud to be able to support and celebrate our local community.
While we host and help individuals and large groups alike on a daily basis, below are a few of the recent initiatives of which we are particularly proud.
COLEMAN GRIEG CHALLENGE
The ARDC is both a Platinum sponsor and a participant in the Coleman Greig Challenge, which raises funds for children with special needs and newborn care in the local area.
In 2017, almost 500 enthusiastic participants including 10 ARDC staff raised $213,000 for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC), St Gabriel’s School and My Westmead, participating in the 2.5km walk, 5km run and 10km run.
ARDC Staff as a team of 10 have competed in the challenge every year since 2017.
FORMULA SAE UNIVERSITIES CHALLENGE
The ARDC proudly supports and facilitates the testing of vehicles designed by NSW university teams in the Formula SAE: an international student competition centred on the design, construction and racing of an internal combustion or electric race car up to 710cc/80kW.
The competition presents students with the opportunity to develop their skills in design, management, manufacturing, communication and business operations.
The ARDC and F-SAE teams also host FS-SYDNEY; a two-day tournament on SMSP’s skidpan, skid circuit and main straight involving a number of static and dynamic events in home-grown, formula-style prototype cars built by students to find the best of the best amongst NSW FSAE teams.
ENDURE FOR A CURE
Endure for a Cure is an annual 12-hour closed-circuit, endurance cycling challenge at SMSP, where individuals and teams register and fundraise through a 12 hour cycling enduro, putting much needed dollars towards research into childhood cancer.
SMSP provides a safe, traffic-free environment to help this worthy cause.
TRISH FOUNDATION SKIDPAN DAYS
The Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation was inspired by Trish Langsford who, having lost her battle with multiple sclerosis, passed away at the age of 30. The Foundation was established with the specific goal of finding a cure or preventive strategy for multiple sclerosis. Trish’s parents made a promise to her that they would not give up in the pursuit of the Trish Foundation’s goal.
PAST EVENTS
SOAR AND ROAR
ARDC has been proud to support the Special Olympics Australia with its Soar & Roar Festival; a unique event providing people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to experience the thrill of a luxury car Dream Ride.
Luxury car brands and motorbikes from around NSW make their way to Sydney Motorsport Park to celebrate Special Olympics Australia athletes, their families, support networks and importantly to raise much needed funds for the not-for-profit organisation: 100% of the funds raised going towards Special Olympics Australia so that they can continue to create an arena for athletes to exercise, have fun and make life-long friends.
FREE WHEEL FESTIVAL
The ARDC opened up its gates at the start of the new year for the SMSP Free Wheel Festival, a free open day for the local community (and beyond) to discover and enjoy the park’s wonderful facilities and experiences.
The track is open to foot traffic, scooters and cycles, plus demonstrations on the skid circuits and tours of race control encourage people of all ages to get involved. Visits by by local fire, rescue, police and the PolAir helicopter are especially loved by the children, who also get free face painting, jumping castles and clowns, making it a great day for all ages.
ONE MEAL – IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The not-for-profit community aid organisation One Meal – It Makes A Difference is driving change in Western Sydney for the homeless and people in need with the help of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC).
One Meal – It Makes A Difference is a 100% volunteer based community organisation that helps to feed, clothe and support the homeless and underprivileged across Sydney.
SMSP’s on-site fuel bowsers allowed us to provide the fuel for the One Meal van as a means of supporting this great initiative.
VISION AUSTRALIA
First run in 2014, the annual Angus Suttor Memorial Driving Day held by not-for-profit organisation Vision Australia allows 50 people with blindness or low vision to get behind the wheel and take part in a drive around Sydney Motorsport Park at speeds up to 100km/h.
The free event commemorates a former Vision Australia client who was a keen motorsport fan, Angus Suttor, who died after battling a terminal illness.