EASTERN CREEK SPEEDWAY: EXPECTATIONS HIGH FOR RE-OPENING EARLY 2024

Sydney International Speedway Pty Ltd is the new operator of the Eastern Creek Speedway appointed by venue manager Western Sydney International Dragway.

A date for the resumption of racing is yet to be determined but according to NSW Government sources, expectations are high for speedway action to resume at the venue “in early 2024.”

This is the latest development in the ECS saga that took a downward turn several months ago with an uncertain future hovering over the state-of-the-art NSW Government built facility that blew out over budget.

After opening in March, 2022, the venue was besieged with construction issues – that even delayed the opening before, on the fourth attempt, the venue commenced operation.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, has released a statement confirming that the venue manager, Western Sydney International Dragway (who operates the neighbouring Sydney Dragway) and the NSW Government had appointed Sydney International Speedway Pty Ltd as the operator.

The statement outlined that the “management team” along with the government are aiming for racing to commence back at the venue in early 2024.

There had also been concerns raised by the speedway community regarding the suitability of the venue to hold top-level speedway events, with the track surface becoming water-logged due to drainage issues, track lighting issues (as most events take place at night) and concerns about the proximity of spectators to the racetrack.

Rectification works to several of the issues were undertaken in mid-2023, however, the future of the sport was up in the air when previous operator Speedway Promotions Pty Ltd did not continue.

“The racing community was promised a world-class facility, and we are delivering on that promise.

“After receiving a five-star safety rating, the track is ready to race on and we are working with the new management to make Eastern Creek the number one motorsports precinct in Australia.

“I’m committed to the success of motorsports and its social, and economic value to the community.

“Motorsports have a long and proud history in Sydney dating back to 1926 at the Sydney Showground at Moore Park, four decades at Parramatta and now a bright future at Eastern Creek.”

The Chairman of Sydney Dragway, Tony Beuk, added: “Western Sydney International Speedway is a state-of-the-art facility with amazing potential.”

“We are excited by the two forms of motorsport working together to create a bright cooperative future, with the opportunity to share resources between two disciplines of motorsport that share similar passions.”

“Sydney Dragway has 20 years of experience in event management, ticketing and logistics and we’re looking to work with Sydney International Speedway Pty Ltd who understands the speedway industry.

“Together, we are committed to getting racing back at the venue early in the new year and making it a success for the racing community.

“We are looking to attract the best Australian and overseas racers to Australia’s premier motorsports precinct.

“The return of speedway racing to Eastern Creek ensures racing will not only survive but thrive in Sydney.”

Sydney International Speedway Pty Ltd is a company that was registered on 13 December 2023 according to the ASIC Website.

The release from Minister Scully did not mention a specific date for a resumption of racing activities.

Given the packed schedule of speedway racing across the country over the Christmas / New Year period and into January, it is expected that any on-track action will not resume until February at the earliest.