By Joanna Guelas
Supercars drivers will take their championship hunt to the streets of Perth from 2026.
The Western Australian government on Sunday announced its plan to build a street circuit less than 10 minutes out of the city centre at Burswood Park, with 2026 earmarked for the first event.
Jamie Whincup in action at the 2023 Mount Panorama Supercars event (file image).Credit: Getty
Based on the Townsville and Gold Coast models, plans include permanent grandstands and road upgrades.
The government hopes the move will encourage 50,000 local fans to turn out each day for the multi-race event, with the round to be complemented by a 10-day festival.
WA Supercars rounds have been hosted at the Wanneroo Raceway, approximately 50 kilometres north of the city, since 1973, with the most recent event attracting more than 30,000 attendees across three days in May.
Local motorsport fans had been calling for a street circuit after the success of similar set-ups in Townsville and Gold Coast, WA tourism minister Rita Saffioti said.
“We know how passionate and enthusiastic motorsport fans are, and I know locally they’ve been wanting this to happen for some time, particularly when they’ve seen similar circuits built in other cities across the country,” Saffioti said.
Brad Jones Racing driver Andre Heimgartner welcomed the news, saying the move to a street circuit in his adopted hometown would open the sport to a wider audience.
“The difference between a street circuit and Wanneroo is quite a lot. Wanneroo is a bit further out, so that’s a bit restrictive,” Heimgartner said.
“You’d be amongst the whole action here – we’ve got the city right there.
“It opens it up and people will think, ‘Why not? I’ll just head there’.”
AAP