Supercars could soon be racing around the streets of Perth after securing government support for new major event

Supercars has received a major boost in its push to have a street race in every major city, with confirmation plans are underway for a new circuit in the west.

Supercars is closing in on plans to add a blockbuster new street race to its calendar after confirmation it has secured government support for a new street circuit in Perth.

In what shapes as a major coup for the category, Supercars is now formally working with the West Australian government on plans to construct a new street circuit at Burswood Park in Perth’s CBD.

While no draft plans for the lay-out of the circuit or a proposed date have been unveiled as yet, 2026 is being targeted for the first event.

Supercars already has major street circuit events at Adelaide, Townsville and the Gold Coast on its calendar, while it has also been a long-time support category at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park.

The series has been open about its desire to add more street racing to its championship with Supercars chairman Barclay Nettlefold telling News Corp in May Supercars “would love to race a major street race in every city”.

Supercars has had a long-time WA presence on its calendar racing at Wanneroo Raceway, but a new race would likely supersede the permanent motorsport circuit.

Aerial view of the Perth City Skyline. Photo – Tourism WA.

Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said a Perth street race would be a major coup for the series.

“Supercars is incredibly excited to receive news that a street circuit at Burswood Park is in the works for the future,” Howard said.

“The Perth street circuit event will be a spectacular addition to our championship calendar, showcasing Western Australia to a huge national and international audience.

“I want to thank Premier Roger Cook and the West Australian government for their unwavering support in helping create what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable event for Perth and Supercars.”

Under the Perth circuit plans, roads would be upgraded in the area and transformed into a racetrack and the government is also investigating Burswood Park infrastructure upgrades.

WA deputy premier and tourism minister Rita Saffioti said the circuit plans would include permanent grandstands and upgrades to the park.

“Imagine the noise, atmosphere and crowds as V8s fly around a new and specially designed racetrack in Burswood Park, just a stone’s throw from the city. It’ll be incredible,” Saffioti said.

“The Supercars SuperSprint at Wanneroo has been a much-loved event on the annual tourism calendar for many years now, and this will no doubt take it to the next level on a much bigger stage for more fans and visitors to enjoy.

This year’s race at Wanneroo Raceway.

“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.

“It’s really exciting to see this vision start to become a reality, and of course will have broader community benefits year-round with permanent grandstands and upgrades to the park.”

Alongside the iconic Bathurst 1000, Supercars’ street circuit races are its big-ticket events.

Adelaide’s street circuit attracted more than 250,000 fans last year, while the Gold Coast has topped 200,000 the past two years and Townsville more than 120,000.

WA-born Supercars rookie Aaron Love said he would relish the chance to race on a street circuit in his hometown of Perth.

“I’ve always (been) that little kid dream of being able to drive your race car around home … so to be able to have a street circuit here would be so much fun,” the Blanchard Racing team driver said.

“It’d bring so many new fans down for the sport, from international to people that haven’t really experienced it before because it’s a bit difficult for them to get out to Wanneroo.

“So to be able to do it in Perth would be so much fun.

“I don’t think we can go too far wrong. I feel like the weather would be amazing. The action would be so cool and just so much fun to race there.”

Originally published as Supercars could soon be racing around the streets of Perth after securing government support for new major event