Sydney Speedway to move from Clyde to Eastern Creek by September 2021
Rev heads can look forward to a new “world class” international speedway for 10,000 spectators. But opponents have labelled the plan a “white elephant” that will “fail” to match up to its current home — which is set to make way for a stabling yard as part of Western Sydney’s underground Metro project.
Parramatta
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Sydneysiders can look forward to an adrenaline fix at the new Speedway when it relocates from Clyde to Eastern Creek as soon as 2021 but the plan has been labelled a waste of taxpayers’ money that will fail to match its current home.
Plans — which are now open for public feedback — reveal the State Government’s plan for the Sydney International Speedway clay raceway in the Western Sydney Parklands, creating a motorsport hub next to Sydney Dragway and Sydney Motorsports Park.
It will feature “world class racing infrastructure” to international standards for speedway cars and motorcycles, terraced seating for 7000 spectators, a 3750-seat grandstand, 150 race car parking bays, trackside workshops and corporate boxes.
The new venue is expected to open by September 2021. The deadline means this is Speedway’s last season at its home of 43 years but COVID-19 restrictions might mean patrons won’t get to farewell the well-loved track.
Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee welcomed the project as a win for the sport and the economy.
“I’m very excited the speedway family is getting a brand new home which will be the envy of other states,’’ he said.
“The new Sydney Speedway will be a world class clay-based track that will take speedway racing to a whole new level in Australia.”
The government’s announcement about the speedway at Clyde being compulsorily acquired to make way for a stabling yard as part of the $20 billion-plus underground Metro in October drew criticism.
READ MORE: Government failed to warn of Metro plans on Crown land
Four decades of Speedway to be bulldozed
Valvoline Raceway co-principal and leaseholder, Felicity Waldron, slammed the new venue, which she said would fail to cater for international competitions and sprintcars, and said drivers would be forced to compete on a smaller track.
She said the Clyde track has a 205m diameter, compared with 170m planned for Eastern Creek.
“It just means the blue ribbon race division is not big enough to race in Sydney,’’ she said.
“It will fail. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money. It’s a white elephant.’’
Valvoline Raceway also objected to the location to be built alongside Sydney Dragway and Sydney Motorsports Park.
“I think the biggest issue is going to be transport in and out on race day, when it’s going to create a huge, huge bottleneck and turn a lot of patrons away,’’ Mrs Waldron said.
Mrs Waldron criticised the government for consulting with its licensing body, Speedway Australia, instead of Valvoline Raceway directly, which she said preferred to move to the nearby Lighthorse Interchange, which the government deemed unsuitable.
However, Speedway Australia general manager Tim Savell said the consultation period was a chance for the public to express feedback to the government.
A Sydney Metro spokeswoman said construction was due to start late this year and be completed by the start of the speedway racing season in 2021.
“Locating the new speedway at Eastern Creek would boost investment in western Sydney and support the local economy by creating about 150 construction jobs,’’ she said.
The spokeswoman said the facility would meet Speedway Australia’s five-star track rating and was developed with Speedway Australia to accommodate all divisions of racing, including national and international events.
“Sydney Metro has worked closely with industry bodies, state and local government, business groups and the motorsport community to integrate seamlessly within the Eastern Creek Motorsport Precinct,’ she said.
Make a submission at planningportal.nsw.gov.au before September 17.