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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 SHINES BRIGHT NEW LIGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF MOTORSPORT IN NSW

Saturday 23 February 2019: Today’s announcement by the NSW Government of a strategic multi-million-dollar investment at Sydney Motorsport Park in permanent circuit lighting and the establishment of Australia’s only Motor Sports Centre of Excellence has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) – operators of Sydney Motorsport Park since 1997.

The news is part of an all-encompassing $33M package of Government initiatives for the broader Western Sydney motorsport precinct, which also includes work to find a new operations site for Motorcycling NSW and improvements to the adjacent Sydney Dragway.

ARDC President Andrew Leithhead commented “The ARDC views this additional Government investment in Sydney Motorsport Park as an important continuation of the Club’s long-standing commitment to excellence within the Australian motorsport industry.”

The ARDC has a proven record of co-investing with Government in the SMSP venue. In just the last 8 years well over $23M has been invested back into the Park, with the not-for-profit ARDC contributing over $16M of its own funds, combined with a 2012 Government contribution of $7M towards the new Brabham circuit extension. Each year the ARDC invests well over $1M in track maintenance and development, and this is set to continue and grow.

“The ARDC projects a 40% increase in access capacity at the perennially booked-out Government venue.

A newly expanded SMSP calendar allows for strong increases in the level of innovative high-demand Tier 1 motorsport events headlined by the Supercars Championship night racing and other major events.

“This is a great step forward in our plans for Sydney,” said Sean Seamer (Supercars CEO).

“The 2018 night race was a fantastic proof of concept and since then, Glenn Matthews and his team have done a wonderful job to secure these significant upgrades which will establish Sydney Motorsport Park as an elite, 24/7 motorsport facility. We look forward to the SuperNight format returning in 2020 and moving on to the second phase of our partnership with the ARDC and NSW Government, which is to establish a Supercars team in Sydney, based at SMSP.” Seamer added.

Seamer said a Sydney-based team would have the advantage of calling the booming western corridor home along with the premium facilities offered at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“A Sydney franchise would have premium facilities on their doorstep,” he said.

“This initiative will provide a manufacturer, team and their partners with immediate access to an international race track, premium function facilities for major corporate events, vehicle launches, drive days, vehicle appreciation sessions, product R&D and conferences.

“This also provides the catalyst to link Supercars’ technology, education and training with Western Sydney’s strong tertiary education and engineering communities.

“A Sydney-based team will also have the growing greater Western Sydney community as a support base given the huge number of Supercars fans in the western corridor of Australia’s largest city.” Seamer said.

“It’s also a lot more than just expanding traditional motorsport activity at the track.” Leithhead continued.

“Circuit lighting now opens the doors for substantial opportunities to further grow the Western Sydney night economy, local tourism, as well as significantly expanding the existing on-site programs targeting performance engineering education and training, innovation and technology development. Investments such as these can only further leverage major game-changing infrastructure projects such as the Western Sydney Airport to deliver more jobs, investment and visitors to Western Sydney and help ensure Sydney Motorsport Park builds on its reputation as Australia’s number one motorsport venue.” Leithhead added.

The ARDC delivers year-round events which attract 330,000 visitors p.a. and includes over 35 major events and multiple grassroots racing and car club events annually, plus many school and community events from across Greater Sydney. For the past two years, the not-for-profit ARDC has also been developing plans and engaging with leaders across the motorsport, skills and education, government and private sector industries both here and abroad to capitalise on the opportunities that exist within the SMSP site and broader Western Sydney area – one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

SMSP is already the new permanent home to motoDNA TECHNOLOGY, the research and development division of the motoDNA Group as part of the ARDC’s emerging SMSP Motorsport Institute and Innovation Hub.  motoDNA TECHNOLOGY utilises its close association with the ARDC and immediate access to the circuit to rapidly advance its developments in the areas of rider safety research and technology which it recently embarked upon in conjunction with Yamaha Australia.

ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews noted “We have a long-held, strong working relationship with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport. The location of the new Motor Sports Centre of Excellence at Sydney Motorsport Park is fantastic, and we certainly don’t underestimate the opportunities that will arise from working more closely with CAMS and key industry partners such as Supercars.”

“It’s important that together we have been able to break the dominance of Melbourne and the Gold Coast as the sole location of technical development in Australia.  The new Centre of Excellence is a standout example of the high regard the NSW Government, CAMS, Supercars and other key players hold both the venue, and the ARDC Club”. Matthews added

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB (ARDC)

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, known as the ARDC, has promoted motorsport in NSW for over 67 years. Commencing in 1952 at Parramatta Park, the ARDC has conducted events for cars and motorcycles at Mount Panorama Bathurst, Mt Druitt, Castlereagh, Catalina Park Katoomba, Amaroo Park and at its current home, Sydney Motorsport Park in the booming suburbs of Western Sydney.

The goal of the ARDC is to create a world-class motorsport park in the heart of Australia’s global city – Sydney. As official operators & custodians of Sydney Motorsport Park for over 20 years, the ARDC continually looks to build and enhance the venue’s reputation as Australia’s true Home of Motorsport.

Over recent years the ARDC has continued to build on its long-standing vision and business plan for Sydney Motorsport Park. This new master plan and vision describes the development of a highly engaging motorsport precinct and destination, with a range of world-class events, driving/riding experiences (concepts and categories), excellence in driver education and training, public “motortainment”, motorsport/auto support services and business park.

ABOUT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK

Sydney Motorsport Park (originally known as Eastern Creek International Raceway) was officially opened in 1990 and is owned by the NSW Government. It has been operated by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) since 1997.

It is Sydney’s only permanent race track, and one of just two permanent race circuits in Australia that holds a FIA/FIM Grade 2 International Licence. The purpose-built 92ha motorsport facility west of Sydney features four race circuit configurations to suit a number of motorsport activities; the Brabham Circuit, Gardner GP, Druitt (North) and Amaroo (South), along with the Skid Circuit.

The North Paddock boasts fifty garages lining pit lane, offering easy access for transporters and a secure base for cars, bikes, equipment and personnel. The support paddock has a bitumen surface, a dummy grid for fifty cars, multiple carports and a scrutineering building. Sydney Motorsport Park is also Sydney’s main hub for driver safety, education and vehicle testing. To accommodate these activities, the venue features Sydney’s largest purpose-build, floodable Skidpan, and a separate Figure 8.

ABOUT SMSP MOTORSPORT INSTITUTE AND INNOVATION HUB.

Modelled off the United Kingdom’s Silverstone Park’s University Technical College (UTC) and Innovation Centre, the ability to co-locate with the auto industry, technical education and exhibition sectors will enable SMSP to become home to cutting-edge employment and education programs and increase its appeal as an attractive and highly unique events venue.

Media contact, ARDC/SMSP:
Glenn Matthews (CEO)

(02) 9672 1000 or M: 0418865924
email:  glenn@ardc.com.au

SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK’S GP CIRCUIT A SHINING LIGHT IN 2018 VASC CALENDAR

OFFICIAL RELEASE: Supercars has finalised plans to race under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park next August.
The confirmation follows a lighting test held ahead of the Sydney SuperSprint this year and will mark the first Supercars night race on Australian soil since 1997.
Dubbed the Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight 300, the August 4 event will feature a single 300km race run in a three-hour window from 7-10pm.
“We’ve made no secret we wanted to stage a night race next year and I am delighted to say it is now a reality that we will hold this race under lights in Sydney,” said Supercars CEO James Warburton.
Sydney Motorsport Park CEO, Glenn Matthews, praised Supercars’ determination to make a night race at the venue a reality.
The Supercars event will run with temporary lighting as the circuit continues to lobby the New South Wales State Government for funding to erect permanent lights.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is already open 360 days of the year, and the introduction of circuit lighting and extended operating hours would introduce a whole new level of access for all motorsport and automotive enthusiasts, from after-work racing and spectating, endurance racing, driver and rider safety programs, corporate hospitality, job creation, education, exhibitions, and much more,” said Matthews.
“The Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight 300 is the first exciting step towards making this as a reality.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is one of the busiest sites in Western Sydney, hosting more than 600 events with more than 330,000 visitors coming through our gates annually.
“We want to make Sydney Motorsport Park the premier destination for the industry in Australia – not just for motor racing and motorsport, but for automotive technology, innovation, education, tourism and community engagement.
“We are committed to working with our partners, promoters, and the NSW Government in realising this vision.”

SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK SHINES UNDER LIGHTS

18/08/17: Supercar night-racing at Sydney Motorsport Park could be a permanent fixture, following successful lighting tests at the Eastern Creek venue last night.

Sydney Motorsport Park CEO, Glenn Matthews, said he had held positive discussions with the NSW Government over the installation of permanent floodlights at the park, providing year-round, site-activation and serving a host of motorsport and industry uses, including Supercar racing.

“Last night’s testing highlighted the potential of night-time racing and activities here at Sydney Motorsport Park and we’re very hopeful that this is a sign of things to come,” Mr Matthews said.

“Full-time, permanent lighting will not only add a whole new level of excitement to motorsport racing, and the spectator experience in this country, but open up a range of commercial and tourism opportunities at Sydney Motorsport Park, including driver safety programs, corporate hospitality packages, and more track access for all levels of racing.

“We’ve held some preliminary, and positive, discussions with NSW Government which is supportive of our long-term vision for Sydney Motorsport Park, and we’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with all of our partners to set the benchmark for Australian motorsport facilities.”

The 92ha Sydney Motorsport Park precinct is one of the busiest sites in Western Sydney, hosting more than 600 events and over 300,000 visitors annually, and is nearly fully booked a year in advance.

Mr Matthews said the Park’s proximity to the proposed Western Sydney Airport, as well as one of the fastest growing populations in the region, are two of its key strategic drivers.

“Our long-term plans are focussed on making the most of our central location and looking at the opportunities to leverage Western Sydney’s growth as a visitor destination, and provide jobs and education for its vast, and diverse skilled labour,” he said.

“We’ve looked closely at the UK’s integrated education, industry and innovation facility at Silverstone and see no reason why Sydney Motorsport Park can’t adopt a similar model – one that’s heavily focussed on partnerships, education and innovation for Western Sydney.”

“The introduction of permanent lights is the first step towards establishing the necessary infrastructure to support our long-term vision for the site, and we’re committed to working with Government and our partners to make it happen.”

For further information, please contact the ARDC on (02) 9672 1000 or email media@ardc.com.au.