EASTERN CREEK SPEEDWAY CLOSED

By Dennis Newlyn:

The future of Sydney Speedway racing has been thrown into turmoil with the closure of Eastern Creek Speedway.

The season was scheduled to commence on September 23 with 30 fixtures planned between now and May, 2024.

Ongoing venue construction issues since the opening of the track on March 12, 2022 have plagued the circuit and is the catalyst behind the decision by track operators, Speedway Promotions Pty Ltd to relinquish their promotional rights as lease holders of the venue.

It is alleged the working relationship between government representatives and track operators reached a stalemate in the past week.

Track drainage issues surrounding the removal of eccess water from the racing surface have been one of the biggest problems faced by promoters since the opening of the circuit. The problem is thought to be caused by the “saucer” design of the track without sufficient sub-surface drainage in place to handle rain fall.

The situation reached crisis point last season when racing could not be held after extensive track preparation on the night could not clear access water preventing the commencement of racing and promoters were forced to refund spectators their gate admission. Construction workers have been at the site in recent months working on the drainage system. The original budget of $40m has ballooned to allegedly $80m and the final cost has yet to be determined after current rectification works are completed.

Track lighting issues also hampered racing before additional lighting was installed, while additional power supply outlets to the pit area also were required after race teams were allegedly forced to bring their own generators.

Eastern Creek Speedway was built as the replacement for the 43 year old Parramatta City Raceway at the Granville-Clyde Showground, which opened in February, 1977, after NSW Government resumed the land as part of the Metro West rail link.

The sport in Sydney is reeling following this latest setback with the shutdown of Eastern Creek Speedway. Speedway was not held in Sydney for two years after the closure of the Parramatta venue in March 2020.

Sprintcar racing is speedway’s most popular category in Sydney and the sanctioning Sprintcar Association of NSW will be hardest hit as the division was booked for 22 of the 30 meetings for the 2023-24 ECS season.

“This is the worst possible news for our season. All of our racing was concentrated on Eastern Creek Speedway,” a Sprintcar Association representative said.

The Australian Wingless Sprintcar Championship was also scheduled to be run in Sydney this summer and will now force organisers to seek another venue to host its national title.

State championship events for other racing categories allocated to ECS this season also will now have to find another home.

ECS promoters were unavailable for comment.