FAST FACTS ABOUT SMSP
Development and Opening:
- Approved by NSW State Government in 1989.
- Track opened on November 10, 1990.
- Called Eastern Creek International Raceway, or affectionately as The Creek.
- 3.93km track, known for fast and flowing lines, especially through Turn 1.
Events and Usage:
- Hosted major international racing events:
- Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix (1991-1996).
- Australian rounds of the A1GP.
- Hosted Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) from 1992 until 2008 (except 2006).
- Grand finale held in 2003 and 2004.
- Other major series and categories:
- Australian Superbike Championship.
- FX Superbikes.
- World Time Attack.
- Muscle Car Masters.
- Shannons Nationals.
- Drag racing on the main straight.
- Concert venue:
- Guns N’ Roses concert in 1993 attracted largest crowd of 93,000 spectators.
Upgrades and Redevelopment:
- April 28, 2008: Apex Circuit Design Ltd commissioned for feasibility study on upgrades.
- 2011: Funding secured for $9 million upgrade:
- NSW Government provided $7 million.
- ARDC funded the remainder.
- Planned upgrades:
- Reconfiguration into four layouts, with two operable simultaneously.
- Expanded GP circuit to 4.7km (Brabham circuit).
- New pit lane facility, control tower, and amenities for the South (Amaroo) circuit.
- June 2011: Work on upgrades began.
- Earthmoving for link road between turns 4 and 9.
- Druitt North Circuit configuration completed in October 2011.
- May 2012: Redevelopment and modernisation of SMSP officially launched under new moniker.
Recent Developments:
- 2015: ARDC celebrated 25 years at SMSP.
- 2019: Unveiled plans for a multi-million dollar expansion into night-racing with a full LED lighting upgrade full LED lighting upgrade and Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP) with help from NSW Government.
- 2020: Launch of night-racing lights.
- 2023: Launch of the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP).
SEVENTY YEARS OF THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS CLUB
1952 – THE ARDC IS BORN
THE ARDC’S HOME TRACK IS AT MT DRUITT. MEMBERS HELP PROMOTER BELF JONES RUN RACES EVERY SIX WEEKS
1954 – MT PANORAMA
THE ARDC FORMS AN ALLIANCE WITH THE BATHURST LIGHT CAR CLUB (BLCC). IT BUYS LAND BETWEEN MURRAY’S AND HELL CORNERS FROM LOCAL ORCHADIST HILTON RAYNOR TO BUILD THE PITS ON THE MT PANORAMA CIRCUIT.
1960 – SIR JACK BRABHAM
SIR JACK WINS HIS SECOND F1 CHAMPIONSHIP AND BECOMES AN ARDC LIFE MEMBER.
1962 – 6-HOUR
THE ARDC RUNS A SIX HOUR RACE AT BATHURST TO PROVE MT PANORAMA CAN HANDLE A 500 MILE EVENT.
1963 – BATHURST 500
THE ARMSTRONG 500, WHICH STARTED IN 1960 AT PHILLIP ISLAND, IS MOVED TO BATHURST BY THE ARDC. THE BATHURST 500 IS BORN.
1970 – AMAROO
THE 1.9KM AMAROO PARK IS BOUGHT BY THE ARDC ON A HANDSHAKE FROM DEVELOPER OSCAR GLASSER. AMAROO IS A MOTOR SPORT PRECINCT WITH ENGINEERING FACILITIES, A HILL CLIMB, SHORT CIRCUIT AND MOTOCROSS TRACK.
FROM 1970 TO 1983 THE ARDC HOLDS THE CASTROL SIX HOUR, ARGUABLY THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT PRODUCTION MOTORCYCLE RACE AT THE TIME.
1973 – UPSIZING
THE ARDC CLUBHOUSE MOVES FROM 360 NORTON STREET LEICHHARDT TO ITS NEW LOCATION AT AMAROO PARK.
1980 – THE CASTROL SIX HOUR
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST EVER WORLD 500 MOTORCYCLE CHAMPION WAYNE GARDNER WINS THE CASTROL SIX HOUR RACE AT AMAROO PARK. HE WINS AGAIN IN 1982.
1994 – SKAIFE MEETS AMAROO
FIVE-TIME V8 SUPERCAR CHAMP AND ARDC MEMBER MARK SKAIFE HAS HIS FIRST EVER RACE AT AMAROO PARK IN HIS FATHER’S HOLDEN XU-1.
1996 – THE CREEK
ARDC MOVES INTO ITS CURRENT HOME AT EASTERN CREEK.
2005 – MUSCLE
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST RETRO TOURING CAR FESTIVAL, THE MUSCLE CAR MASTERS, IS BORN.
2011 – THE FUTURE
WITH THE HELP OF OVER $7M IN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND OVER $2M FROM THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT ARDC ITSEL,F PLANS FOR EXPANSION BEGIN, WITH A TRACK EXTENSION AND NEW FACILITIES BUILT IN 2012.
2012 – 60 YEARS YOUNG!
EASTERN CREEK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY IS REBRANDED AS SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK. THE GP TRACK CAN NOW BE SPLIT IN TWO TO ACCOMMODATE MORE EVENTS, ALLOWING THE NORTH AND SOUTH CIRCUITS TO OPERATE CONCURRENTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY.
2015 – QUARTER OF A CENTURY ALREADY…
THE ARDC CELEBRATES 25 YEARS AT SMSP.
2019
FURTHER EXPANSION FOR THE FUTURE
WITH ANOTHER HELPING HAND FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE ARDC SECURES A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN LED LIGHTING FOR THE PARK, AND THE CREATION OF A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AND BUSINESS HUB BASED AT SMSP
2020
UP IN LIGHTS!
$16 MILLION IS INVESTED IN 127 LIGHT TOWERS, WHICH ARE INSTALLED ACROSS THE FACILITY TO TURN NIGHT INTO DAY.
THE LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE SUPERCARS IN JULY 2020.
2022
SUPER 70!
THE ARDC CELEBRATES 70 YEARS WITH A TEMPORARY REBAND OF OUR ICONIC FATHERS DAY WEEKEND EVENT.
SUSTAINABILITY @SMSP
FUTURE PROOFING SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK’S IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT, IN BUSINESS, AND THE COMMUNITY.
The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) is committed to creating a lasting positive impact on the community and the environment. We are proud to spearhead sustainable practices in motorsport, and are committed to continue working towards a more sustainable future.
In tackling this important initiative, the ARDC recognises that success is a collective effort, achieved by sharing intelligence and experiences, and working collaboratively towards a common goal.
OUR PLEDGE
- We are committed to ambitious and measurable sustainable development programs at Sydney Motorsport Park.
- To significantly reduce our environmental impact across our precinct
- To implement innovative sustainability solutions in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders across the motorsport industry
OUR KEY PROGRAMS AND ACTIONS
- Create a sustainable waste management program including a drive to maximise landfill diversion rates from circuit events and operational activities
- Educate and encourage sustainable activations from event owners, track teams, and suppliers.
- Implement sustainable technology on-and off-track
- Continue to invest in EV charging stations & solar panels
- Sponsor and support university EV and Solar race teams
- Monitor and reduce energy and water consumption, noise and air emissions
- Plant trees and preserve biodiversity
- Provide track access for local community activities
- Work alongside our sustainability partners, Closed Loop Environmental Solutions, to drive sustainable practices at SMSP.
- Support sustainability driven businesses within the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct
Sustainability In Motorsport @ SMSP
Key Programs And Actions: 2024 onwards
