Life after Archerfield: Plans to reignite SEQ speedway dreams
Speedway Australia has outlined plans for a 7000-seat motorsport venue following the pending closure of the iconic Archerfield Speedway with several sites being eyed off.
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Speedway Australia has outlined plans for a new 7000-seat motorsport venue to cater to thousands of South East Queensland fans following the sale of the iconic Archerfield Speedway.
Archerfield at Acacia Ridge has been the home of speedway in Brisbane for the past four decades but racing itself is set to be temporarily stalled.
This season will be the last held at the venue in a bitter blow to motorsport enthusiasts, mechanics, suppliers and food vendors who relied on race day revenue from the $2bn sport.
Speedway Australia general manager Darren Tindal confirmed Brisbane was set to miss out on hosting any events following the final show on June 3.
The governing body for speedway is now on the hunt for a new venue and is in talks with several local government councils.
“It won’t kick off in Brisbane, will take at least a year, maybe two years while we work with the governments on a new venue,” Mr Tindal said.
“We are working with a couple of local councils to try and get a facility built but it won’t happen without government help, state, even federal.”
Mr Tindal said the dream venue would be a multipurpose precinct for several motorsports and with the potential to allow other sports to be play on the infield area inside the track.
It’s understood that motorsport heartland of Willowbank, and Jacob’s Well were being eyed off.
Mr Tindal said it was a massive blow for Brisbane to lose the privately owned Archerfield.
“When they shut Parramatta and moved to Eastern Creek, there was a real drop off in numbers. Not having a city racetrack really stalled the sport,” he said.
“Not only that, but the businesses on the peripheral will suffer. The local suppliers, the food vendors, mechanics, fuel. SEQ is one of the biggest catchments for competitors in the country.”
Long-time Archerfield promoters Kathy and John Kelly said they hoped funding would be made available to keep the speedway dream alive.
“Queensland has the biggest competitor base in the country,” she said.
“The city tracks really do prop up the country tracks and once you move out of the city the numbers typically drop off.
“We‘d love to be involved with the government to build a new track in the Brisbane City Council area.
“A new speedway could even be used for other things, especially with Olympics coming up in 2032.”
A department of sport spokesman said it had discussed relocating the speedway with local councils, however noise and environmental constraints had made it difficult to find an appropriate location.
The spokesman said the state government supported speedway and other activities.
“Queenslanders can find 17 other speedway sites across the state on Speedway Australia’s website,” the spokesman said.
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