NEW EASTERN CREEK SPEEDWAY CONSTRUCTION RACING AHEAD

CARS are expected to be running on Eastern Creek’s new Sydney International Speedway by late September.

Work is progressing on schedule and has reached the half way point in excavation and construction of the new purpose-built speedway venue.

Grandstand foundations are in place as the NSW Government built site is on schedule for the start of the 2021-2022 racing season.

Minister for Sport Natalie Ward and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance yesterday inspected construction at the Eastern Creek site.

“This is an exciting and revolutionary addition to motor sport in Sydney which will bring in interstate and overseas competitors, crews and spectators, delivering a boost to our economy,” Mrs Ward said.

“Motor sport fans can look forward to more world-class motor racing in western Sydney with the new speedway on track to be operational for the 2021 racing season.”

Mr Constance said the project was a win for the sport of speedway and the local economy.

“This project is boosting investment with more than 325 workers on site, 60 percent who are local to greater western Sydney. This project is also using the services of 58 local small to medium businesses, further spreading the benefits.”

Greater Sydney Parklands are finalising the tender process to appoint a speedway operator and an announcement is expected soon.

The speedway site is 13 hectares compared to approximately eight hectares at Valvoline Raceway which will be demolished to make way for Sydney Metro West rail link metro trains stabling yards.

The project involves excavating one million tonnes of soil and rock, construction of a 500m long reinforced retaining wall using an estimated 1000 pre-cast concrete panels and 40,000 tonnes of recycled sandstone from the WestConnext project.

There’s also a specially dedicated car park for the speedway. The project includes the installation of an additional dragway car park.

The speedway circuit is taking shape, while the grandstand seating and corporate boxes will be installed in coming months.

“This is the first time in more than 20 years a Five Star speedway has been built in Australia, with the last one being the Perth Motorplex, which opened in 2000,” Mrs Ward added.