Sydney Motorsport Park Explained

Sydney Motorsport Park (known until May 2012 as Eastern Creek International Raceway) is a motorsport circuit located on Brabham Drive, Eastern Creek (40-kilometres west of the Sydney CBD),[1] New South Wales, Australia, adjacent to the Western Sydney International Dragway. It was built and is owned by the New South Wales Government and is operated by the Australian Racing Drivers Club. The circuit is one of only two permanent tracks in Australia with an FIA Grade 2 license[2] and is licensed for both cars and motorcycles.

History

The development of circuit was approved in 1989[3] and construction began soon after. However, construction was delayed by poor weather and debates over land ownership. A test race open to Superbikes was held in July 1990 and the circuit was officially opened by then-New South Wales Minister for Sport Bob Rowland-Smith on 10 November 1990 with the running of the Nissan Sydney 500 endurance race for Group A touring cars. In 1991, the consortium formed to fund the circuit suffered financial problems and the complex was purchased by the New South Wales Government.[4] The pit facilities provide fifty garages with direct access to the paddock area and a covered 4,000-seat grandstand overlooks the finish line, providing a view of the majority of the circuit. Events are held at the circuit on most weekends during the year.

Redevelopment

On 11 August 2006, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Ron Dickson, the A1 Grand Prix circuit designer who also designed the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit, suggested that Sydney Motorsport Park was not up to modern standards and needed to be upgraded.[5] On 28 April 2008, it was announced that Apex Circuit Design Ltd. had been commissioned to perform a $350,000 feasibility study on upgrading the track to suit more purposes and hold larger events such as the Australian Formula One Grand Prix,[6] however nothing came of this proposed upgrade.

In early 2011, the circuit received funding for a $9 million upgrade, with the New South Wales Government providing $7 million and the Australian Racing Drivers Club funding the other $2 million.[7] The upgrade reconfigured the circuit into four layouts, with two able to be operated at the same time, with a total length of . The upgrade also included an additional pit lane facility to cater for the new configuration, a new race control tower and new amenities buildings. Work on the upgrades began in June 2011, with a new piece of road joining turns four and nine.[8] This link road, finished in October 2011, created the new "Druitt Circuit", also known as the North Circuit.[9] The 830-metre extension on the south-eastern part of the circuit was completed in May 2012 to create the new "Amaroo Circuit" (or South Circuit). On 21 May 2012, the circuit was renamed from Eastern Creek International Raceway to Sydney Motorsport Park.[10] Construction of the new pit lane between turns four and five also began at this time.

Following the circuits' reconfiguration, a number of corners were named. At the circuits' re-opening, turn five was renamed "Brock's 05" in reference to Peter Brock and the number with which he was associated, whilst in October 2017 the first two corners were renamed "Moffat Corner" and "Bond Bend" respectively.[11] [12]

Configurations

Major events

Motorcycling

After the first Australian motorcycle Grand Prix held at Phillip Island in 1989, there was a conflict over advertising between the Victorian Government and the tobacco industry, who were major sponsors of the Grand Prix teams. The New South Wales Government saw this as an opportunity to bring the race to Sydney and in October 1990, a deal was made for the Grand Prix to be held at what was then known as Eastern Creek International Raceway from 1991 to 1993. The race remained at the circuit until 1996 before returning to Phillip Island in 1997.

The circuit has also hosted rounds of the Australian Superbike Championship.

Australian motorcycle Grand Prix winners

Year 125 cc 250 cc 500 cc
1991 Loris Capirossi Luca Cadalora Wayne Rainey
1992 Ralf Waldmann Luca Cadalora Michael Doohan
1993 Dirk Raudies Tetsuya Harada Kevin Schwantz
1994 Kazuto Sakata Max Biaggi John Kocinski
1995 Haruchika Aoki Ralf Waldmann Michael Doohan
1996 Garry McCoy Max Biaggi Loris Capirossi

A1 Grand Prix

The Australian round of the A1 Grand Prix championship was held at Sydney Motorsport Park from the 2005–06 season to the 2007–08 season. During the 2006–07 event on 4 February 2007, German driver Nico Hülkenberg set the outright lap record for the original circuit layout with a 1:19.142 lap time in the A1 Team Germany prepared Lola-Zytek.[13]

A1 Grand Prix winners

YearDriverCarEntrant
2005–06 Nicolas LapierreLola A1GP-ZytekA1 Team France
Nicolas LapierreLola A1GP-ZytekA1 Team France
2006–07 Nico HülkenbergLola A1GP-ZytekA1 Team Germany
Nico HülkenbergLola A1GP-ZytekA1 Team Germany
2007–08 Loïc DuvalLola A1GP-ZytekA1 Team France
Adrian ZauggLola A1GP-ZytekA1 Team South Africa

Touring cars

See main article: Sydney SuperNight.

The first touring car event at the circuit was the 1990 Nissan Sydney 500, an endurance race which was the final round of both the 1990 Australian Endurance Championship and the 1990 Australian Manufacturers' Championship. In the early 1990s, the circuit also hosted the Winfield Triple Challenge, an event which featured Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) teams and drivers alongside Superbikes and drag racing.

The circuit first hosted a championship round of the ATCC (now known as V8 Supercars) in 1992 and held a round every year, excluding 1998 and 2006, until 2008. Further to this, the circuit hosted the season-ending Grand Finale in 2003 and 2004, with Marcos Ambrose winning the round and the championship title on both occasions.[14] In 2009 the circuit was dropped in favour of the Sydney 500 on the Sydney Olympic Park Street Circuit.[15] The circuit returned to the V8 Supercars calendar in 2012 after V8 Supercars failed to secure a second international event.[16] After another year off the calendar in 2013, the circuit has returned to the calendar from 2014 onwards.

The official pre-season V8 Supercar test day was held at the circuit in 2011 and 2013 to 2015. The 2013 test day was the first time that the four Car of the Future manufacturers appeared together at a public event.[17] The 2015 test day clashed with the 2015 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, preventing V8 Supercars drivers from competing in the race.[18]

ATCC / V8 Supercar round winners

YearDriverCarEntrant
Group A
1992 John BoweFord Sierra RS500Dick Johnson Racing
Group 3A Touring Cars
1993 Glenn SetonFord EB FalconGlenn Seton Racing
1994 Peter BrockHolden VP CommodoreHolden Racing Team
1995 Mark SkaifeHolden VR CommodoreGibson Motorsport
1996 Craig LowndesHolden VR CommodoreHolden Racing Team
1997 Glenn SetonFord EL FalconGlenn Seton Racing
V8 Supercars
1999 Mark SkaifeHolden VT CommodoreHolden Racing Team
2000 Mark SkaifeHolden VX CommodoreHolden Racing Team
2001 Mark SkaifeHolden VX CommodoreHolden Racing Team
2002 Mark SkaifeHolden VX CommodoreHolden Racing Team
2003 Marcos AmbroseFord BA FalconStone Brothers Racing
Marcos AmbroseFord BA FalconStone Brothers Racing
2004 Rick KellyHolden VY CommodoreKmart Racing Team
Marcos AmbroseFord BA FalconStone Brothers Racing
2005 Craig LowndesFord BA FalconTriple Eight Race Engineering
2007 Mark SkaifeHolden VE CommodoreHolden Racing Team
2008 Will DavisonFord BF FalconDick Johnson Racing
2012 Craig LowndesHolden VE CommodoreTriple Eight Race Engineering
2014 Shane van GisbergenHolden VF CommodoreTekno Autosports
2015 Chaz MostertFord FG X FalconProdrive Racing Australia
2016 Jamie WhincupHolden VF CommodoreTriple Eight Race Engineering
2017 Fabian CoulthardFord FG X FalconDJR Team Penske
2017 Fabian CoulthardFord FG X FalconDJR Team Penske
2018 Shane van GisbergenTriple Eight Race Engineering
2020 Scott McLaughlinFord Mustang GTDJR Team Penske
Scott McLaughlinFord Mustang GTDJR Team Penske
2021 Shane van GisbergenHolden ZB CommodoreTriple Eight Race Engineering
Anton de PasqualeFord Mustang GTDick Johnson Racing
Anton de PasqualeFord Mustang GTDick Johnson Racing
Shane van GisbergenHolden ZB CommodoreTriple Eight Race Engineering
2022 Chaz MostertHolden ZB CommodoreWalkinshaw Andretti United
Notes

Winfield Triple Challenge

Between 1992 and 1995, the circuit hosted a non-championship Triple Challenge event in late January consisting of touring cars, Superbikes and drag racing. The event was backed by the Winfield cigarette brand, to promote their sponsorship of all three categories of racing. Glenn Seton Racing, sponsored by rival cigarette brand Peter Jackson, won the touring car element of the event in all four years, with eponymous team owner/driver Glenn Seton winning three.[19] In practice for the 1995 event, the Winfield-backed entry of Mark Skaife had a major accident at Turn 1, hitting concrete drag racing barriers which resulted in injuries that forced him to miss the first round of the 1995 Australian Touring Car Championship.[20] The event concluded with the ban of cigarette advertising in Australia at the end of 1995.

Touring car winners

YearDriverCarEntrant
1992 Glenn SetonFord Sierra RS500Glenn Seton Racing
1993 Glenn SetonFord EB FalconGlenn Seton Racing
1994 Glenn SetonFord EB FalconGlenn Seton Racing
1995 Alan JonesFord EB FalconGlenn Seton Racing

Muscle Car Masters

An event organised and promoted by Australian Muscle Car magazine, the Muscle Car Masters is held on Father's Day every year. The event includes races and demonstration laps featuring Australian muscle cars and ex-race cars from the 1950s to the 1990s. Regular racing classes include Group N, Group C, Group A and Touring Car Masters while different car clubs have their cars on display each year and take part in demonstration laps. Historically significant cars in Australian motorsport are also present and complete laps of the circuit. While the main focus is on the history of Australian touring car racing, other classes, such as Formula 5000, have also appeared.

Music venue

In the 1990s, the venue held a number of rock concerts and music festivals including Guns N' Roses, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, the Alternative Nation festival and the Colossus 2 dance festival. Music festivals returned to the circuit in 2009 and 2010 when it hosted the Soundwave Festival for both years.[21]

Lap records

Daniel Ricciardo drove a Red Bull RB7 Formula One car during the Top Gear Festival at the circuit in March 2014 and set the unofficial lap time record with a time of 1:11.2330. However, as this time was not recorded during a race, it does not count as a lap record.[22] As of August 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Sydney Motorsport Park are listed as:[23] [24] [25]

ClassDriverVehicleTimeDate
Gardner Grand Prix Circuit: 3.910 km (May 2012–present)[26]
World Time Attack Challenge Barton MawerPorsche 9681:17.860[27] 2 September 2023
Formula 3 Nick FosterMygale M081:22.629013 July 2013
Formula Libre Dean TigheDallara F3951:22.7328[28] 16 October 2022
S5000 Aaron CameronLigier JS F3–S50001:25.4355[29] 30 July 2023
Radical Australia Cup James WinslowRadical SR81:25.702714 July 2013
Supersports/Sports Racer Adam ProctorStohr WF11:26.716013 July 2014
F5000 Alex DavisonLola T3321:26.89877 June 2015
GT3 Geoff EmeryAudi R8 LMS Evo II1:27.400130 July 2023
Superkart Warren McIlveenStockman 115 Honda1:28.11335 July 2015
Sports Sedan Jack PerkinsAudi A41:28.178315 November 2015
Superbike Josh WatersDucati Panigale V4 R1:29.001[30] 25 March 2023
Supercars Jamie WhincupHolden ZB Commodore1:29.8424[31] 4 August 2018
Formula 4 James PiszcykTatuus F4-T4211:30.17674 August 2024
Porsche Carrera Cup Harri JonesPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup1:30.2193[32] 20 July 2024
Supersport Tom ToparisYamaha YZF-R61:31.484[33] 23 March 2024
GT2 David CramptonKTM X-Bow GT2 Concept1:31.860930 July 2023
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Aron ShieldsPorsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup 3.81:32.028829 July 2023
Super2 Series Tyler EveringhamNissan Altima L331:32.239020 November 2021
Trans Am Australia Owen KellyFord Mustang Trans Am1:33.7815[34] 1 May 2021
Super Touring Cameron McLeanBMW 320i1:33.8642[35] 7 June 1998
Super3 Series Blake FardellHolden VE Commodore1:34.449020 November 2021
Formula Ford Cameron HillMygale SJ10A1:34.5519[36] 5 July 2015
TCR Touring Car Will BrownHyundai i30 N TCR1:34.8437[37] 19 May 2019
Group A Carey McMahonNissan Skyline R32 GT-R1:37.86226 September 2015
GT4 Mark GriffithMercedes-AMG GT41:38.140829 July 2023
Touring Car Masters John BoweHolden Torana SL/R1:38.884629 May 2022
F1 Sidecar Colin Buckely/ Robbie ShorterLCR-Kawasaki ZXR-RR 10001:38.93019 March 2016
Moto3 Dylan WhitesideHonda NSF250R1:39.157[38] 10 September 2017
Improved Production Adam PooleHolden Monaro1:37.778717 June 2023
Group 3E Simon HodgeBMW M41:40.77727 August 2022
Aussie Racing Cars Tom HaymanMustang-Yamaha1:41.97891 May 2021
Supersport 300 Jesse StroudKawasaki EX4001:43.120[39] 22 March 2024
F2 Sidecar Jamie Crass/ Lee MenziesWindle-Suzuki GSXR 6001:43.8796 July 2024
SuperUtes Series Cameron CrickFord Ranger1:44.817019 July 2024
Group Sc Geoff MorganPorsche 911 Carrera1:45.83827 June 2015
Porsche 944 Chris Lewis-WilliamsPorsche 9441:45.901620 May 2012
Saloon Cars Ben GriceHolden VT Commodore1:46.00235 July 2015
Formula Vee 1600 Dylan ThomasStinger 015 IX1:46.580623 June 2013
Toyota 86 Racing Series James LodgeToyota 861:46.765720 July 2024
Group Sb Kevin LukeShelby Mustang GT3501:49.69997 June 2015
Formula Vee 1200 Mathew PearceLepton V791:50.794227 July 2014
Brabham Extended Circuit: 4.500 km (May 2012–present)
Formula 3 Nathan GotchDallara F3071:48.49059 April 2016
F5000 Bryan SalaMatich A501:50.27391 September 2012
Formula Ford Glenn WelchListec WIL0131:50.79559 June 2012
Superbikes Glenn AllertonBMW S1000RR1:54.080[40] 11 November 2012
Formula Ford 1600 Andrew GillespieSpirit WL11 Ford2:02.082710 June 2012
Touring Car Masters John BoweFord Mustang2:03.42822 September 2012
AF2 Ron CoathCheetah Mk.82:03.857418 May 2014
Druitt North Circuit: 2.800 km (2012–present)
Sports car racing Adam ProctorStohr WF10:58.758021 October 2012
Formula 3 Nathan GotchDallara F3040:58.893722 September 2012
Formula Atlantic Chris FarrellSwift 014.a0:59.607727 October 2012
Amaroo South Circuit: 1.800 km (2012–present)
Sports car racing Dean TigheDallara-Judd0:52.135710 August 2019
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 3.930 km (1990–2011)
A1 Grand Prix Nico HülkenbergLola A1GP1:19.14204 February 2007
Formula Holden Tim LeaheyReynard 92D1:22.513126 March 2000
Formula 3 James WinslowDallara F3071:23.173716 July 2011
Formula Libre/Historic Ty HangerRalt RT41:27.67865 November 2005
GT3 Allan SimonsenLamborghini Gallardo LP560 GT31:28.057028 May 2011
AF2 Arthur AbrahamsCheetah Mk.81:29.350025 August 1991
500cc Àlex CrivilléHonda NSR5001:30.35920 October 1996
V8 Supercars Mark SkaifeHolden VT Commodore1:31.7301[41] 28 March 1999
250cc Max BiaggiAprilia RSV 2501:32.08420 October 1996
Group 3A Greg MurphyHolden VS Commodore1:32.433[42] 25 May 1997
Formula Xtreme Kevin CurtainYamaha R11:32.6574 October 2003
Nations Cup Paul StokellLamborghini Diablo GTR1:33.591818 July 2004
Formula Ford Jack Le BrocqMygale SJ11a1:35.325116 July 2011
Group A Tony LonghurstBMW M3 Evolution1:35.490[43] 24 May 1992
125cc Haruchika AokiHonda RS125R1:36.27220 October 1996
Sidecar Steve Abbott/ Jamie BiggsLCR-Suzuki GSX-R10001:37.4201 May 2005
Clubman Sports Chris BarryPRB Clubman1:38.787523 June 2002
Formula Ford 1600 Rob StoreySpirit WL07 Ford1:38.919622 September 2007
Central Muscle Cars Jason RichardsChevrolet Camaro1:41.51196 September 2009
Group C (Australia) Jason RichardsHolden LX Torana SS A9X Hatchback1:43.01454 September 2011
Italian Challenge Andrew LeithheadAlfa Romeo GTV61:44.208224 June 2001
Commodore Cup Tony BatesHolden VS Commodore1:44.824717 July 2011
Group Nc Ross DonnelleyFord Mustang1:46.020928 November 2003
Group 3E Bob PearsonMazda RX-71:46.43517 November 2004
V8 Ute Racing Series Grant JohnsonHolden VZ SS Ute1:50.406226 November 2006
Group Nb Bill TrengroveFord Mustang1.50.56924 September 2011
Formula Vee 1200 Jay HallJacer Volkswagen1:50.929725 September 2005
Group Sa Peter JacksonAustin-Healey 3000 MkI1:51.884128 May 2011
HQ Holden Greg KingHQ Holden1:58.46677 December 1997
Group Na Craig StephensonHolden FJ2:11.275522 June 2003
Original Druitt North Circuit: 2.800 km (1990–2011)
Group 3A Craig LowndesHolden VR Commodore1:00.974[44] 27 January 1996
Formula Ford David WhitmoreSpectrum 0111:05.015922 October 2011
Formula Ford 1600 Steve CharmanSpirit WL11 Ford1:07.254522 October 2011

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Visitor Information – How to Get Here . Sydney Motorsport Park . 2013-02-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130410070447/http://www.sydneymotorsportpark.com.au/visitor-information#howToGetHere . 10 April 2013.
  2. Web site: About the Park . Sydney Motorsport Park . 2013-02-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130409174611/http://www.sydneymotorsportpark.com.au/about-the-park . 9 April 2013.
  3. Web site: History . Western Sydney Parklands . 2011-10-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111008232622/http://www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/page/about-us/history/ . 8 October 2011.
  4. Book: Pictorial History: Blacktown and District . Sharpe . Alan . Kingsclear Books Pty Ltd . 2 February 2002 . Blacktown, NSW . 34 . 0-908272-64-2.
  5. News: Race for street circuit may become endurance event . But A1GP track designer Ron Dickson, who created the Surfers Paradise Indy track, says money needs to be spent on Eastern Creek to bring it in line with today's standards. . 2009-05-03 . 11 August 2006 . drive.com.au.
  6. Web site: Eastern Creek International Raceway . Apex Circuit Design . 2011-10-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111006033411/http://www.apexcircuitdesign.co.uk/products/17/66/eastern_creek_international_raceway/ . 6 October 2011.
  7. News: New South Wales government to provide $7 million upgrade to Eastern Creek International Raceway . Fox Sports News . Barnett . Josh . 29 January 2011 . 2013-02-21.
  8. Web site: Work begins on Eastern Creek upgrade . SpeedCafe . 28 June 2011 . 5 October 2011.
  9. News: Video: New Eastern Creek North circuit . Speedcafe.com . SpeedCafe . 27 October 2011 . 2011-10-27 . Com . Speedcafe .
  10. Web site: Eastern Creek renamed Sydney Motorsport Park . SpeedCafe . 21 May 2012 . 2013-02-21.
  11. News: Sydney Motorsport Park Long Track Named Brabham Circuit. Drive. 3 September 2012.
  12. News: Moffat and Bond honoured at SMSP. Australian Racing Drivers' Club. 29 October 2017.
  13. News: Webber shoots for Sydney lap record . The Standard . Hall . Sam . 24 January 2013 . 2013-02-20.
  14. News: Ambrose dominates for title triumph . theage.com.au . 5 December 2004 . 2013-02-20.
  15. News: Homebush to host V8 Supercar race . Brenden Hills . Cumberland Courier . 30 September 2008 . 2011-10-05.
  16. Web site: Eastern Creek added to 2012 V8 Supercars calendar . SpeedCafe . 22 April 2012 . 2013-02-20.
  17. Web site: V8 Supercars announces 2013 championship calendar . SpeedCafe . 15 October 2012 . 2013-02-20.
  18. News: Ottley . Stephen . 1 August 2015 . V8 Supercars takes over Bathurst 12 Hour . The Sydney Morning Herald. 31 December 2015 .
  19. News: Bartholomaeus . Stefan . HIDDEN VALLEY'S TRIPLE CHALLENGE THROWBACK V8 Sleuth . 19 July 2021 . V8 Sleuth . 17 June 2021.
  20. News: Lynden . Peter . ATCC: Mark Skaife crashes }} testing ]. 19 July 2021 . . 19 January 1995 . en.
  21. Web site: Soundwave 2010 . last.fm . 5 October 2011.
  22. News: Ricciardo destroys Sydney lap record . SpeedCafe . 9 March 2014 . 9 March 2014.
  23. Web site: SMSP Lap Records . 7 December 2022.
  24. Web site: Sydney Motorsport Park Fastest Lap Comparison . https://web.archive.org/web/20230228195439/https://www.driverdb.com/circuits/fastestlaps/sydney-motorsport-park-gardner/ . 28 February 2023 . 29 July 2023 . live.
  25. Web site: Natsoft Race Results - Sydney . 7 December 2022.
  26. Web site: Sydney Motorsport Park - Racing Circuits . RacingCircuits.info . 7 December 2022.
  27. News: Records broken at World Time Attack . . 2 September 2023 . 17 September 2023 .
  28. http://racing.natsoft.com.au/638763948/object_810993.81y/Result?1 Result
  29. Web site: 2023 Sydney S5000 Race 3 Statistics . 30 July 2023.
  30. Web site: 2023 Round 2 : March 24 & 25 Sydney Motorsports Park Alpinestars Superbike Championship Race 1 - Provisional Classification . 25 March 2023 . 15 April 2023.
  31. Web site: 2018 Red Rooster Sydney Supernight . 15 December 2022.
  32. Web site: Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Round 4, 2024 – Sydney Motorsport Park - Race 1 . 20 July 2024 . 20 July 2024.
  33. Web site: Round 2: March 22 & 23 - Sydney Motorsports Park - Michelin Supersport Race 1 - Provisional Classification . 23 March 2024 . 24 March 2024.
  34. Web site: 2021 Trans Am Australia Sydney Motorsport Park Shannons Motorsport Race 1 . 7 May 2022.
  35. Web site: 1998 » Sydney Motorsport Park Round 7 Results . 7 May 2022.
  36. Web site: Australian Formula Ford Lap Records . 29 November 2022.
  37. Web site: TCR AU 2019 » Sydney Motorsport Park Round 2 Results . 7 May 2022.
  38. Web site: Sydney Motorsports Park Motorcycle Lap Records . 12 December 2022.
  39. Web site: Round 2: March 22 & 23 - Sydney Motorsports Park - Race & Road Supersport 300 Race 1 - Provisional Classification . 22 March 2024 . 24 March 2024.
  40. Web site: Eastern Creek Raceway - New Long Circuit Motorcycle Lap Records . 12 December 2022.
  41. Web site: 1999 Eastern Creek #3 . 14 December 2022.
  42. Web site: 1997 Eastern Creek #3 . 14 December 2022.
  43. Web site: 1992 Eastern Creek #2 . 14 December 2022.
  44. Web site: 1996 Eastern Creek #2 . 14 December 2022.