Sydney's Eastern Creek International Raceway will expand its services and facilities following the announcement of a $9 million circuit upgrade - with $7 million of the funding provided by the NSW Government.
The funding, jointly announced by the NSW Government and The Australian Race Drivers Club (ARDC), will increase the circuit's capacity and track configurations to four different layouts - with two circuits able to operate independently.
Critical to the upgrade will be a lengthening of the circuit to accommodate the multi-purpose layout and an additional pit lane to support the two-circuit configuration.
Apart from providing much needed capacity for racing, following the closure of Oran Park, the upgrades are expected to inject an additional $4 million dollars directly into the local economy and provide 60 full time jobs during construction.
Upgrades will also allow Eastern Creek Raceway to increase its support to the local community, providing a permanent venue for drifting and other off-street racing activities.
Australian Racing Drivers' Club President Andrew Leithhead thanked the Government for this investment in the facility and recognized the positive impact on community activity.
"Eastern Creek International Raceway currently operates at full capacity year-round - providing facilities for driver training, cycling, concerts and other community activities, in addition to motorsport," Mr Leithead said.
"This investment by the government will allow the ARDC to expand the capacity of the track to service demand from both club-level motorsport and broader community needs.
"The circuit upgrades will also allow us to service the growing demands for race circuits since the closure of other permanent circuits in Sydney."
ARDC Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Matthews said the extensions will double the capacity of the track.
"This will allow two or more track activities to be held concurrently," Mr Matthews said.
"The project will allow for a significant expansion of driver training capacity - in a safe, controlled environment.
"Currently local youth often come to the raceway on a Friday night to 'drift'.
"With the additional capacity this can become a permanent event, giving the youth of Sydney a permanent venue to drift legally and safely in a controlled environment."
For further information or comment, please contact:
Glenn Matthews Andrew Leithhead
Chief Executive Officer President
Eastern Creek International Raceway Australian Racing Drivers Club
M: 0418 865 924 M: 0411 358 922
E: glenn@ardc.com.au E: president@ardc.com.au
