Sydney Motorsport Park fatal crash: Motorcycling NSW raise event concerns

The governing body for motorcycle sport has raised concerns over a Sydney track event at which a 30-year-old was killed. It comes just over a year since a young dad was killed at the same track.

Motorcycling NSW has raised concerns about an Australia Day event at which a 30-year-old was killed at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The man died at the Eastern Creek track following a crash with a fellow motorcyclist, 38, who was taken to hospital with injuries.

Motorcycling NSW, part of Motorcycling Australia which is the governing body for the motorsport, said the fatal crash had happened at what is called a “ride day”.
The events, priced from $285, allow motorcyclists to take on the “technically demanding track” on their own bikes or hire bikes.

The track states it is a day with “options for riders of almost all skill levels on almost all types of motorcycles”.

The ride days are not sanctioned Motorcycling NSW events.

The main straight at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek.

“One of the problems with these ride days is that you have the current national champions riding against people on street bikes who have never raced before,” a Motorcycling NSW spokesman said.

“At Eastern Creek it is quite common that these bikes go 250km/h to 270km/h and if two bikes touch and crash they can go any direction very quickly.”

It is the second fatally in a little over 12 months at the Eastern Creek track.
Father-of-two and motorcycling enthusiast Eric Zhao, 37, died on January 20 2021 when he lost control and ploughed into a barrier at a night track event.

Eric Zhao, 37, from Ermington died at Eastern Creek Raceway in January 2021. Picture: Supplied

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but he fell into cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
Motorcycling NSW said that event was also not sanctioned by the body.

“Neither of these incidents are sanctioned by Motorcycling Australia,” the spokesman added. “They are private events. We didn’t issue permits for either of these events.

“It is unsanctioned by Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling NSW and we haven’t been provided with information on either incident.

Eric Zhao at Eastern Creek Raceway. Picture: Supplied

“If it was under us we would be carrying out an investigation.”
He added: “They have chosen not to seek the event to be sanctioned by Motorcycling NSW.

“We don’t know what they do at these events.”

“It was done totally as their program.”

There is no legal requirement for the track to seek authorisation from Motorcycling NSW.
Glenn Matthews, CEO of Sydney Motorsport Park and Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, said the venue has the highest ranking in terms of safety.

Glenn Matthews (centre) with left George Souris and Graham Annesley at a previous event.

“We meet all standards and we have it inspected every year,” he said. “When it comes to safety there is absolutely nothing we haven’t done. Whenever there is an accident we look at what the issue was.

“We have onsite ambulance services and specialists in motorsport accidents. So we know where the accident happened and what happened.”

He said the fatal crash on Australia Day happened at what is described as a “track day” – an event day which is not an official race or competition.

The ride days, which are a type of track day, are put on separately for both motorcycles and cars.
“The event yesterday and the fatality last year were track days,” he said. “We put on maybe 60 a year of track days a year.”

Sydney Motorsport Park put on the The Australia Day Ride Day and marketed it as “the opportunity to experience this amazing series of corners in a safe and fun environment.”

Riders are required to attend a compulsory safety briefing before going on the track. Riders must have a licence with a provisional licence the minimum requirement.

Supercars are regularly at Sydney Motorsport Park. Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Track regulations state participants are responsible for ensuring their motorcycle is suitable and in a track-worthy condition and any equipment used is safe.

On risk, the regulations adds: “All participants ride at their own risk, whether riding in all or part of their sessions. All participants should take into account their own riding ability, condition of their equipment, and possible track conditions before riding.”

Mr Matthews said there was Go Pro footage of the Australia Day crash which has been passed on to police.
He added: “For the track and the venue we are satisfied that we have and maintain the highest standard.”