The Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) has revealed major redevelopment plans for Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Raceway in a bid to make it Australia’s premier closed circuit motor racing facility. If the plans go ahead the new circuit would have six different racing layouts, including the main ‘International’ circuit at 4.7km in length. As many as three of the layouts could be used simultaneously. The redesign, carried out by UK-based Apex Circuit Design, would meet the FIA’s strict regulations for Formula One racing.
Despite Melbourne extending its deal for Albert Park to host the Australian Grand Prix until 2015, could we see F1 in western Sydney? Four-time Australian touring car champion and ARDC board member, Allan Moffat, seems to think so. “Bernie Ecclestone will get sick of Melbourne’s refusal to host a night race,” Moffat told the Daily Telegraph. “We would be in a position to take advantage. It would cost three times as much to develop a suitable facility on virgin land. We have the basis for it right here in the middle of Blacktown, Australia’s fastest growing area.”
“The circuit would be one of the most exciting and demanding in this country, and the equal of many internationally,” Apex managing director Clive Bowen said. “It has been designed to challenge the most accomplished driver, yet also appeal to corporate users.”
International Circuit—4.7km
The redeveloped circuit would reverse its current direction to run clockwise and would retain as much as 70% of the existing track. “Reversing the direction of racing will extract the best excitement from the track and challenge competitors with a braking and passing area at the end of a long straight,” Allan Moffat said. Initial estimates put the cost of the revamp at $93M, with flexibility for staged improvements. The ARDC, which leases Eastern Creek Raceway from the NSW state government, will commission financial modelling to determine payback timelines and sources of funding.
“Sydney needs increased motorsport facilities and permanent closed-road training capacity,” ARDC president John Cotter said. “The impending closure of Oran Park and the fact that Eastern Creek is already fully utilised demands action,” he said.
“The Apex report does more than meet the immediate need. It maps a blueprint for a strategy which could contribute substantially to tourism and further global recognition of Sydney.
“The plan confirms the ARDC’s proposition that an investment in an appropriate permanent facility is far more advantageous than investment in a non-permanent street circuit.”
In addition to the main ‘International’ circuit the ARDC’s plans allow for a 4km ‘Full’ layout, a 3km ‘National’ track, a 1.7km ‘Club’ circuit, a 2.2km ‘Corporate’ track and a drift bowl to be built in a special stadium section of the complex.
Full Circuit—4.0km
National Circuit—3.0km
Corporate Circuit—2.2km
Club Circuit—1.7km
Drift Bowl
One of Eastern Creek’s current drawbacks is that the circuit is not very spectator friendly. This has been addressed with attention given to providing maximum viewing opportunity for spectators. Further enhancing community demand are plans for a tailor made drift bowl. “The emergence of drift racing has huge youth appeal and Eastern Creek has the ability to incorporate a purpose-built track where young people can compete under supervision in safety,” Mr Bowen said.
“The concept is that Eastern Creek would become, in part, a club facility for teenagers and young adults.
Apex Circuit Design is an internationally recognised race circuit design facility and motorsport consultancy, initially established in 2001. Clive Bowen, the founding director of Apex Circuit Design Ltd, is a qualified graduate Mechanical Engineer. His previous motorsport projects (as circuit designer) include: the Dubai Autodrome (UAE); Eurasia Autodrome Domodedovo (Moscow); the Iceland MotoPark (Iceland); the Ghazala Bay circuit (Egypt); the Hampton Downs Circuit (New Zealand); the Abu Dhabi ADISC motorsport complex (UAE); and the Sharjah street circuit (UAE). In addition, he has been contracted to provide masterplan design for Silverstone (UK) and the Rio Jacarepagua Circuit (Brazil).
Use of existing track
Suggested racing line
Existing Circuit
Source: Eastern Creek International Raceway & autosport.com (Thanks to Paul for the tip.)