The Australian Racing Drivers Club

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ARDC News

SYDNEY SHINES BRIGHT NEW LIGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF MOTORSPORT IN NSW

Saturday 23 February 2019: Today’s announcement by the NSW Government of a strategic multi-million-dollar investment at Sydney Motorsport Park in permanent circuit lighting and the establishment of Australia’s only Motor Sports Centre of Excellence has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) – operators of Sydney Motorsport Park since 1997.

The news is part of an all-encompassing $33M package of Government initiatives for the broader Western Sydney motorsport precinct, which also includes work to find a new operations site for Motorcycling NSW and improvements to the adjacent Sydney Dragway.

ARDC President Andrew Leithhead commented “The ARDC views this additional Government investment in Sydney Motorsport Park as an important continuation of the Club’s long-standing commitment to excellence within the Australian motorsport industry.”

The ARDC has a proven record of co-investing with Government in the SMSP venue. In just the last 8 years well over $23M has been invested back into the Park, with the not-for-profit ARDC contributing over $16M of its own funds, combined with a 2012 Government contribution of $7M towards the new Brabham circuit extension. Each year the ARDC invests well over $1M in track maintenance and development, and this is set to continue and grow.

“The ARDC projects a 40% increase in access capacity at the perennially booked-out Government venue.

A newly expanded SMSP calendar allows for strong increases in the level of innovative high-demand Tier 1 motorsport events headlined by the Supercars Championship night racing and other major events.

“This is a great step forward in our plans for Sydney,” said Sean Seamer (Supercars CEO).

“The 2018 night race was a fantastic proof of concept and since then, Glenn Matthews and his team have done a wonderful job to secure these significant upgrades which will establish Sydney Motorsport Park as an elite, 24/7 motorsport facility. We look forward to the SuperNight format returning in 2020 and moving on to the second phase of our partnership with the ARDC and NSW Government, which is to establish a Supercars team in Sydney, based at SMSP.” Seamer added.

Seamer said a Sydney-based team would have the advantage of calling the booming western corridor home along with the premium facilities offered at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“A Sydney franchise would have premium facilities on their doorstep,” he said.

“This initiative will provide a manufacturer, team and their partners with immediate access to an international race track, premium function facilities for major corporate events, vehicle launches, drive days, vehicle appreciation sessions, product R&D and conferences.

“This also provides the catalyst to link Supercars’ technology, education and training with Western Sydney’s strong tertiary education and engineering communities.

“A Sydney-based team will also have the growing greater Western Sydney community as a support base given the huge number of Supercars fans in the western corridor of Australia’s largest city.” Seamer said.

“It’s also a lot more than just expanding traditional motorsport activity at the track.” Leithhead continued.

“Circuit lighting now opens the doors for substantial opportunities to further grow the Western Sydney night economy, local tourism, as well as significantly expanding the existing on-site programs targeting performance engineering education and training, innovation and technology development. Investments such as these can only further leverage major game-changing infrastructure projects such as the Western Sydney Airport to deliver more jobs, investment and visitors to Western Sydney and help ensure Sydney Motorsport Park builds on its reputation as Australia’s number one motorsport venue.” Leithhead added.

The ARDC delivers year-round events which attract 330,000 visitors p.a. and includes over 35 major events and multiple grassroots racing and car club events annually, plus many school and community events from across Greater Sydney. For the past two years, the not-for-profit ARDC has also been developing plans and engaging with leaders across the motorsport, skills and education, government and private sector industries both here and abroad to capitalise on the opportunities that exist within the SMSP site and broader Western Sydney area – one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

SMSP is already the new permanent home to motoDNA TECHNOLOGY, the research and development division of the motoDNA Group as part of the ARDC’s emerging SMSP Motorsport Institute and Innovation Hub.  motoDNA TECHNOLOGY utilises its close association with the ARDC and immediate access to the circuit to rapidly advance its developments in the areas of rider safety research and technology which it recently embarked upon in conjunction with Yamaha Australia.

ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews noted “We have a long-held, strong working relationship with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport. The location of the new Motor Sports Centre of Excellence at Sydney Motorsport Park is fantastic, and we certainly don’t underestimate the opportunities that will arise from working more closely with CAMS and key industry partners such as Supercars.”

“It’s important that together we have been able to break the dominance of Melbourne and the Gold Coast as the sole location of technical development in Australia.  The new Centre of Excellence is a standout example of the high regard the NSW Government, CAMS, Supercars and other key players hold both the venue, and the ARDC Club”. Matthews added

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB (ARDC)

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, known as the ARDC, has promoted motorsport in NSW for over 67 years. Commencing in 1952 at Parramatta Park, the ARDC has conducted events for cars and motorcycles at Mount Panorama Bathurst, Mt Druitt, Castlereagh, Catalina Park Katoomba, Amaroo Park and at its current home, Sydney Motorsport Park in the booming suburbs of Western Sydney.

The goal of the ARDC is to create a world-class motorsport park in the heart of Australia’s global city – Sydney. As official operators & custodians of Sydney Motorsport Park for over 20 years, the ARDC continually looks to build and enhance the venue’s reputation as Australia’s true Home of Motorsport.

Over recent years the ARDC has continued to build on its long-standing vision and business plan for Sydney Motorsport Park. This new master plan and vision describes the development of a highly engaging motorsport precinct and destination, with a range of world-class events, driving/riding experiences (concepts and categories), excellence in driver education and training, public “motortainment”, motorsport/auto support services and business park.

ABOUT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK

Sydney Motorsport Park (originally known as Eastern Creek International Raceway) was officially opened in 1990 and is owned by the NSW Government. It has been operated by the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) since 1997.

It is Sydney’s only permanent race track, and one of just two permanent race circuits in Australia that holds a FIA/FIM Grade 2 International Licence. The purpose-built 92ha motorsport facility west of Sydney features four race circuit configurations to suit a number of motorsport activities; the Brabham Circuit, Gardner GP, Druitt (North) and Amaroo (South), along with the Skid Circuit.

The North Paddock boasts fifty garages lining pit lane, offering easy access for transporters and a secure base for cars, bikes, equipment and personnel. The support paddock has a bitumen surface, a dummy grid for fifty cars, multiple carports and a scrutineering building. Sydney Motorsport Park is also Sydney’s main hub for driver safety, education and vehicle testing. To accommodate these activities, the venue features Sydney’s largest purpose-build, floodable Skidpan, and a separate Figure 8.

ABOUT SMSP MOTORSPORT INSTITUTE AND INNOVATION HUB.

Modelled off the United Kingdom’s Silverstone Park’s University Technical College (UTC) and Innovation Centre, the ability to co-locate with the auto industry, technical education and exhibition sectors will enable SMSP to become home to cutting-edge employment and education programs and increase its appeal as an attractive and highly unique events venue.

Media contact, ARDC/SMSP:
Glenn Matthews (CEO)

(02) 9672 1000 or M: 0418865924
email:  glenn@2025.ardc.com.au

THE NEW MOTORCYCLE LANDSCAPE AT SMSP IN 2019

OFFICIAL RELEASE, 08/11/2019: THE AUSTRALIAN Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park, is excited to announce a new and exciting motorcycle experiences line-up for 2019.

Leading at the first turn will be Motorcycle Events Group Australia (MEGA) directing the SMSP RIDE DAYS track-based program, alongside the motoDNA Riders Academy taking charge of all rider coaching and training needs. Completing the grid is the globally-recognised California Superbike School (CSS).

The selection of MEGA, motoDNA and CSS to spearhead the program came after an exhaustive six-month review by the ARDC of bike activity at Sydney Motorsport Park, and investigations into best practice procedures around the country and overseas. Extensive research was conducted into what riders really enjoyed about their time on track, and track users and ARDC Bike Members also submitted their suggestions and ideas for improvement.

This included rider/group selection, scheduling of experiences across the week and year, circuit selection, maximising rider track-time, the involvement of manufacturers and industry, coaching and rider safety, the opportunity to develop special interest days, building rider community events, and last but not least offering riders the widest selection of rider experiences at the best value for money available.

This research was followed by an Australia-wide call for expressions of interest to the country’s best operators, and as the saying goes, cream rises to the top.

“We are particularly excited about the MEGA/motoDNA collaboration which will see over sixty days of two-wheel action at the Park throughout the year,” said ARDC CEO Glenn Matthews.

“We’ll see the welcome return of long-standing SMSP partner, MEGA, and motoDNA have really ramped up their operations to become SMSP’s inaugural Resident Rider Training Provider.

“Steve (Brouggy, MEGA) and Mark (McVeigh, motoDNA) have been working closely together over the past few months to begin building what will be an amazing 2019 for the rider community,” added Matthews.

MEGA promises not only to bring back its industry-leading format, but to also make some major leaps forward in the process of how Ride Days are presented with cutting edge technology matched with good old-fashioned customer service.

“We’re really happy to be returning to Sydney Motorsport Park and partnering with the ARDC for the provision of SMSP Ride Days,” said Steve Brouggy of MEGA.

“MEGA’s focus for the past 24 years has been on providing the best possible rider experience for each and every attendee of our events, and we’re more enthusiastic than ever to be doing exactly that at SMSP for the next five years… As far as we’re concerned, January 1 can’t come soon enough!”

motoDNA’s Mark McVeigh said: “I’m very excited to partner with ARDC as both the motoDNA Riders Academy and motoDNA TECHNOLOGY companies are now based on the racetrack at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“The ARDC have some great plans for the future at SMSP and we feel very privileged to be a part of it.

“Ultimately our job at motoDNA is to turn ordinary people into extraordinary riders in a fun and safe environment and collaborating with MEGA will help us both provide awesome new products for all levels of our motorcycle community at the Park.”

Both MEGA and motoDNA have confirmed five-year agreements, locking in their tenure at SMSP until 2023 and allowing both businesses to build, invest and consolidate their commitment to SMSP and the loyal rider base that call Sydney Motorsport Park their home.

It also paves the way for the ARDC to work on further developments in the areas of rider safety research and technology which it is advancing with motoDNA TECHNOLOGY, the research and development division of the motoDNA Group which resides at SMSP as part of the emerging SMSP Innovation Hub.

“There’s never been a better time for riders to consider becoming a Member of the ARDC,” said Matthews.

“Bike Members will be able to take advantage of a myriad of great Member-Only offers, incentives and invitations by our experience partners, and it also offers complimentary access to events at SMSP throughout the year.”

There’s a lot to look forward to on two-wheels in 2019, and we’d love to see you trackside.

For more information contact:
Samantha Stevens, Media and Communications Manager
The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, Sydney Motorsport Park.
T +61 2 9672 0207
F +61 2 9672 0209
M +61 411 494 414
E samantha.stevens@2025.ardc.com.au

THE ARDC GRAND PRIX

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On the Saturday of the Bathurst 1000 this year (October 6) it will be exactly 60 years since the ARDC ran the 23rd Australian Grand Prix at Mount Panorama, Bathurst. At this fabulous meeting not only was the 1958 Australian Grand Prix decided but the 1958 Australian Tourist Trophy was run and won. This was the quaint old name given to the Australian Sports Car Championship. At the time Australian Motor Sports magazine described it as “the best motor racing meeting for some time”.

The Tourist Trophy was run over 26 laps of the 3.8 mile (6.115 kilometre) circuit at 3.10pm on Saturday October 5.

Many of the fancied entries were Jaguar powered such as Ron Phillips (Cooper Jaguar), Frank Cantwell from New Zealand (Tojero Jaguar), Bill Pitt (D Type), Jack Murray (D Type) and Frank Matich (C Type). There were 3 current model DB3S Aston Martins for David McKay, Tom Sulman and Warren Bloomfield. Another car which could not be discounted was Doug Whiteford’s 3 litre ex-works Maserati 300S.

Bill Pitt pushed the D Type Jaguar into the lead at the start from David McKay (Aston Martin DB3S), Derek Jolly’s little 1500cc Lotus 15 and Doug Whiteford (Maserati 300S). Whiteford easily worked his way up to the lead but on lap 10 he was caught by a gust of wind on the second hump on Conrod Straight. There was no Chase chicane in those days. Whiteford spun out of control straight through Murrays Corner and down the escape road to Bathurst. He bounced off four fences as he went almost being flung out of the car. Fortunately he suffered only bruising.

This left McKay comfortably in the lead from Jolly and Phillips. After a brief rain shower this was the final order after 26 laps.

Up until 1958 the Australian Grand Prix had always been a classic Formula Libre run what you brung type of race in which sports cars were often highly competitive. As an example of the increasing sophistication of Australian racing and the increasing number of competitive sports/racing cars in the country sports cars of any type were banned from the 1958 AGP. Even though the field was made up of open wheelers only there was tremendous variety in the best Formula Libre tradition.

There were big cars like the Alf Harvey 4.5 litre V12 OSCA which had run in the 1951 Italian GP. There were small cars like the Ralt Vincent of Noel Hall that finished third in heat 1 but failed to start in the GP itself. There were old cars like Ray Walmsley’s 1934 Grand Prix Alfa Romeo P3 whose original straight 8 supercharged engine was long gone. Like the Ern Seeliger Maybach, the Curly Brydon Ferrari and the Ted Gray Tornado Walmsley was relying on a new 260 cubic inch Corvette V8 to provide reliable lightweight power. Merv Neal’s Cooper (chassis F2/20/58) was probably the newest car – it even had disc brakes all round!

The field for the AGP was split into two heats which were held on Saturday afternoon. Heat one appeared to be for the slowest half of the field and heat two for the fastest.

Heat 1 was initially led by Allan Ferguson driving the spectacular Holden powered MG Special known as “Isk”. He was chased by the little air-cooled twin cylinder Ralt of Noel Hall and the Jaguar Special driven by Jack Robinson. Alf Harvey started slowly from pole position in the ex-Prince Bira OSCA 4500G. This car was famously fragile but as the heat progressed Harvey gained confidence and speed. He won the race with a fastest lap of 2.59.5 and a registered speed through the flying quarter mile of 133.33mph (214.573kph).

Heat 2 was for the fast cars. Gray was on pole in the Tornado Corvette but Jones’ Maserati led the field through Hell Corner from Mildren (Cooper) and Davison (Ferrari). On lap 2 Jones dropped oil on the exit of the cutting. Mildren spun on it and was hit by New Zealander Tom Clark (Ferrari Super Squalo). Gray hit the lead on lap 2 and won easily from Jones and Davison. Gray’s fastest lap was 2.50.0.

At the start of the Australian Grand Prix Jones jumped into the lead from Davison and pole man Gray. These three were 7 seconds clear of the rest after only 1 lap. New Zealander Clark passed Neil’s Cooper Climax on lap 2 and settled into a lonely 4th place.

By lap 10 Gray was 8 seconds clear of the battling Jones/Davison duo. 50 seconds behind was the Clark Ferrari with the Seeliger (Maybach) and Hawkes (Cooper Holden) fight another 4 seconds back. Clark dropped back and pitted on lap 18 with overheating. He continued but was much slower.

Alf Harvey in the OSCA was getting faster (2.58.0 fastest lap) but blew a spark plug clean through the bonnet and had to retire. Having led from lap 3 Gray pitted to report strange handling on lap 22. Fuel was sloshed around the fuel filler with only a small proportion going in. Gray was shouting at the mechanics but he was sent back out with no correcting action. He returned to the pits next lap after glancing off a barrier to have some chassis bolts tightened. After 2 slow laps the car was retired after achieving a fastest lap of 2.45.5 and a top speed of 155.17mph (249.722kph).

With the Tornado out Stan Jones was left in the lead. Lex Davison was all over him but Jones held him off even with a non-operating clutch in the Maserati. Coming down the mountain on lap 26 the Jones Maserati trailed thin, then thick blue smoke out of Forrest’s Elbow. Davison swept by and then slowed to coast to victory. He was just over 2 minutes ahead of runner up Ern Seeliger in the Maybach Corvette with Tom Hawkes 6 seconds back in the Cooper Holden.

In his victory speech at the presentation dinner Lex Davison referred to the Cooper Climaxes as “Anti-Climaxes”. History would show that a small rear engine car was the way of the future, even in Formula 1.

Incidentally it has been 20 years since the ARDC last ran a race meeting at Mount Panorama, Bathurst. That was the 1998 AMP Bathurst 1000. Also it was just over 20 years ago, in August 1998, that Amaroo Park hosted its last meeting. The registered office of the ARDC was at Amaroo Park in Annangrove from 1970 to 1996.

Brian Goulding

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SMSP Free Wheel Festival, Sunday January 28 2018

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The SMSP Free Wheel Festival is your FREE invitation to enjoy the park’s wonderful facilities! Plus there’s also a heap of fun activities for all ages… all FREE!
– Walk, run, skate, cycle the racetrack
– Bus tour of the racetrack
– Motorkhana demo and passenger rides
– Drifting demo and passenger rides
– Clunker Challenge: you against the clock in our Clunker!
– Jump in the car and experience cool new car tech in our Driver Training Interactive sessions
– Jumping castle, face painting, inflatable slide for the littlies
– Police, Fire and Rescue vehicles
– SMSP display with REAL race cars + bikes, and loads of ‘’Car Candy” vehicles in the Cars n’ Coffee area
– Tour of Race Control with our Officials
– Remote Control Car racing
– Racing Simulators
And so much more… AND IT’S ALL FREE! Plus a Pepsi Max or Cool Ridge water for every attendee, thanks to Presenting partner Pepsi Max.
We hope to see you at the track!
When: Sunday 28th Jan 2018
10am – 2pm
Cost: FREE
Note: Passengers must be 16+ years, and be in wrist-to-ankle clothing and closed shoes. U18 will need the signature of a parent or guardian.

Click image below for large scale map.

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VALE: ARTHUR HAYES, MEMBER #1

y name is Arthur Hayes and my membership number is one”.

That is the way ARDC founding member and long-term president Arthur Hayes chose to introduce himself when I first saw him at an ARDC AGM in the early 1990’s. It was an introduction that gave him instant credibility no matter what type of gathering he was speaking at. Sadly, Arthur died on August 1 this year at the age of 92.

Soon after World War Two, Arthur took up racing with a Fronty Ford initially, then an MGTC and finally a modified Morris Minor. He raced at local Sydney circuits like Marsden Park, Parramatta Park and Mount Druitt. He even raced the MGTC at Bathurst once, in 1951, where he finished third in a Production Sports Car handicap. However, it was not behind the wheel of a race car that Arthur was to make a huge contribution to Australian motor racing in general and New South Wales motor racing in particular.

Belf Jones held the lease of Mount Druitt which he ran with the help of his silent partner George Bell. A gravel road was formed connecting both ends of the Mount Druitt air strip to form a circuit. The surface of this road was liquid tar covered by chunks of blue metal. It was very thin and broke up during race meetings so that after every meeting volunteers (mainly drivers) had to repair the surface as best they could.

Arthur and several other drivers thought it was unfair that the drivers were providing the entertainment plus maintaining the circuit and in return were only receiving minimal prizemoney. Arthur drew up a basic agreement giving the drivers a bigger slice of the spectator fee pie. Belf Jones signed the agreement but George Bell refused. It was Jones who counted the gate takings so the “new deal” was implemented. Bear in mind Arthur was only twenty five years old at the time.

The drivers needed a proper organisation. A meeting was called in Surry Hills for anyone interested in racing at Mount Druitt to attend. Fifty or sixty people turned up and the Australian Racing Drivers Club was formed. Larry Humphries was elected president, Arthur Hayes was elected secretary and the name was inspired by the British Racing Drivers Club. Arthur was given membership number one because he expressed the initial idea of a fairer deal for the drivers.

The ARDC ran their first meeting at Mount Druitt on Boxing Day in 1951. It was quite successful with races run strictly on time and about 3000 spectators attending. Races were run for closed cars, sports cars and racing cars. Spectator fences were placed at a safe distance from the track (no legislation in those days) and 44 gallon drums were used on the straight airstrip to introduce some curves.

Arthur took on the position of Clerk of the Course at ARDC meetings which were scheduled about six weeks apart. The ARDC was incorporated as a not for profit company in 1952.

After about six months president Larry Humphries resigned and Arthur was elected to replace him. Arthur was to serve the ARDC as president from 1953 to 1960.

The Royal Automobile Club was delegated by the FIA to run motor sport in Australia until the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) was formed in 1953. Ten or so NSW clubs formed the State Council and Arthur was elected its initial chairman – a position he occupied for seven years. Arthur was also the NSW delegate to the National Competition Council. He lobbied hard for advertising on racing cars but was not successful. CAMS did allow drivers names in small letters on the sides of cars, however. He was successful in agitating for compulsory seat belts and tough medical examinations.

When the Australian Sporting Car Club fell out with the Bathurst City Council and moved its race meetings to Gnoo Blas (Orange NSW) Arthur was at the forefront of negotiations to have the ARDC take over running races at Mount Panorama. The ARDC did so from 1954 to 1998. In 1954 Arthur was part of a joint committee from both the ARDC and the Blue Mountains Sporting Drivers Club which mapped out the circuit that was to become Catalina Park. Future world champion Jack Brabham was a fellow committeeman.

When Oscar Glasser drew up plans to build Amaroo Park circuit, hillclimb and short circuit he asked Arthur for comments. After a site inspection Arthur made a few suggestions which to his credit were adopted in the final design.

In 1960 Arthur resigned from the ARDC and the National Competition Council. He became a commercial pilot and moved to Bathurst for six months or so before accepting a two week job in Rockhampton. He stayed for 20 years.

Plans are in place to retire Arthur’s membership number so we can safely say there will never be another member number one. And that is how it should be.

– Brian Goulding

Strong Formula Ford Field Set for 50th Anniversary Celebration

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A bumper field of 36 historic Formula Fords will line up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of international Formula Ford racing at the Sydney Classic Speed Festival, 10-11 June.

Formula Ford was conceived in England in 1967, and quickly evolved into a popular junior development category all over the world. It made its first appearance in Australia in 1969, and quickly earned a reputation as the primary stepping stone for young drivers aspiring to forge a professional career in motorsport.

The Sydney Classic Speed Festival has attracted an array of historic Formula Fords from Fa (pre-1978), Fb (1978-1983) and Fc (1984-1989) eras. All cars are powered by the venerable 1600cc Kent Ford motor, which was a mainstay of all Formula Ford competition up until 2006.

One of the most appealing aspects of Formula Ford was the ease and cost-effectiveness at which chassis builders could construct cars, and this was demonstrated in the variety of chassis that participated in Formula Ford races throughout the 1970s and ‘80s. Some chassis were imported, while some were locally-built, and a number of different brands will be represented at the Sydney Classic Speed Festival including:

  • Hawke (England)
  • Van Diemen (England)
  • Lola (England)
  • Reynard (England)
  • Lotus (England)
  • Hustler (Australia)
  • Mawer (Australia)
  • Elwyn (Australia)
  • Elfin (Australia)
  • Swift (Australia)
  • Zink (USA)

The race meeting has also attracted a number of well-credentialed drivers from all over Australia including:

  • Cameron Walters – 2015 Australian Formula Ford Kent Class Champion and NSW State Champion
  • Geoff Walters – two-time Australian Formula Ford Championship runner-up and NSW State Champion
  • Lyndon Arnell – Australian Formula Ford race winner
  • Jonathan Miles – Victorian State Champion

Other front-runners are likely to include experienced racers Andrew McInnes, Mark Lowing and Andrew Nethercote.

The event will consist of qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday, and Races 2 and 3 on Sunday.

There will also be a commemorative dinner on the Saturday night of the event, with entertainment including footage of historic Formula Ford races, and Q and A sessions with past Australian Formula Ford Champions.

Formula Ford will be one of eight race categories featured through the weekend’s racing on June 11 – 12, amid a prestigious line-up of Formula 5000s, Historic Touring Cars, Heritage Touring Cars, Group S Production Sports Cars, Historic Sports Racing Cars, Holden HQs, Modern Regularity (-1992), and Formula Ford celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

There will be new and exciting race formats including scratch, handicap and also split-grid starts; and Car Club displays, and Sydney’s newest Concourse event, which should attract hundreds of the best display vehicles Sydney has ever seen!

For more information on the Sydney Classic Speedfest or to buy tickets in advance and save, head to speedfestival.com.au or call the ARDC on (02) 9672 1000.

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