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MEGA rides for another five years at Sydney Motorsport Park

November 27, 2023

  • The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) and Motorcycling Events Group Australia (MEGA) jump onboard for another five years of SMSP Ride Days
  • Continues an association that commenced in 1997
  • Your Bike – Our Track program: from beginners to racers on the Brabham GP circuit at Australia’s premiere permanent race circuit

Sydney: The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) is pleased to announce the signing of a new five-year contract with Motorcycling Events Group Australia (MEGA), ensuring the continued success of ‘Your Bike – Our Track’ riding experiences at Sydney Motorsport Park, a partnership that commenced in 1997.

As operators of the NSW Government-owned Sydney Motorsport Park since 1996, the ARDC believes that to be the best you need to partner with the best; and certainly as far as motorcycle ride day operators go, none are better that Steve Brouggy and MEGA.

With over 600 different events per year, Sydney Motorsport Park is arguably one of the world’s busiest permanent race facilities. Outside of major events, motorsport experiences such as Ride Days, Track Days and Fastrack V8 Race experiences contribute to a significant percentage of calendar slots each year.   

No strangers to hosting the country’s hottest two-wheeled action, throughout the course of a year, over 3,500 individual riders take to the track at SMSP ride days alone, covering over a staggering 750,000 kilometres during the multiple events.  

Glenn Matthews, ARDC CEO, acknowledged the strategy of the Club was to partner with industry-recognised experience providers to present world-class products to the thousands of motorsport enthusiasts looking for the adrenaline rush that only motorsport can deliver, on a globally recognised circuit and in a safe and professional environment.

“Steve Brouggy and his MEGA team first joined the ARDC experiences family as far back as 1997, and have been the mainstay provider for that period. There is no better ride day operator in the country. His reputation and quality of product is without parallel, and the decision by the ARDC to ride pillion with MEGA for another five years to 2028 was a no-brainer”.

Steve Brouggy, MEGA Director, was equally excited about the new contract extension.

“I’m extremely happy to have signed with the ARDC to be the provider of SMSP Ride Days at Sydney Motorsport Park for another five years. Next year (2024) is the 30th year that Motorcycling Events Group Australia (MEGA) has been operating, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with this new contract” said Steve.

“We became (and maintain) our position as industry leaders due to our constant engagement and attention on what happens during each and every event, and that will not change during the course of this contract period, or indeed any future extensions there might be. We are committed to developing and evolving every element of SMSP Ride Days to maximise every rider’s enjoyment and safety, and can’t wait to welcome new and returning riders in 2024 and beyond!”

Sydney Motorsport Park is located in Eastern Creek in Western Sydney, less than 40 minutes from the CBD, and is one of the country’s only racing facilities within a metro area. 

About Motorcycling Events Group Australia (MEGA)

Motorcycling Events Group Australia (MEGA) is an industry leading provider of non-competitive racetrack activities (Ride Days) to the Australian motorcycle market, with 30 years’ experience in running these type of events. As the provider of SMSP Ride Days, MEGA uses the skills and experiences gained from its core staff having operated a variety of motorcycle training and track activities in 10 x countries at 45 x racetracks, bringing truly world standard flavour to a world standard venue. For further information: www.smsprd.com

2023 NSW MRC Round 3 Wrap

Words by Garry OBrien
Pics by Andrew Ryan

It was a huge program at Sydney Motorsport Park for the third round of the NSW Motor Racing Championships with ten categories racing over the May 27-28.

The mega meeting was bolstered by round three of the national RX8 Cup Series which joined nine other categories vying for points advantage in this mid-season outing on the popular Gardner layout.

Two-time title winner Ryan Gorton who missed a year and the first round this year, continued his successful comeback to the RX8 Cup Series with the third-round win. He won the first two races before beaten away in the third by Brad Harris.

Harris qualified last, finished eighth, then second, and won the third. Gorton beat him in the fourth. There were good scraps going on for third overall with Tom Shaw who ultimately took the final podium place ahead of Jack Pennacchia and Justin Barnes.

Justin Lewis was next, although he DNF’d the last when he crashed into his spun brother Terry. Jackson Noakes was also involved in a clash with Luke Webber in race three, which caused a lot of damage to the Noakes Mazda.

The round for Production Touring Cars comprised three sprint races. Simon Hodges (BMW M4) won all three races. The first came ahead of Chris Sutton (Mitsubishi EVO X) and Matt Holt (HSV Clubsport) before Sutton was relegated to third with a penalty. Anthony Soole (M4) was second before he retired with a wayward turbo hose.

The latter fought back to third behind Sutton and just ahead of Holt in the second encounter before he finished ahead of the pair in the third. Michael Auld (M4) was next best ahead of Alex Bryden (Mercedes A45) and Brent Howard (BMW M3). They were split in one race by Andrew Miedecke in the Ford Mustang which had computer problems in the others.

The three races in the Industrie Clothing Supersports were won by Alex Kenny in his Nova Proto NP-01. In race one he finished clear of Nick Kelly (Radical SR8), Justin Tigani and Chris Perini in RX3s. Jonathon Canavan (SR3) didn’t get off the line while Paul Palmer (Stohr) and Steven Shiels (SR3) had contact and didn’t finish.

Tigani was second in the next encounter from Kelly, Gardner (SR3) and Canavan, and followed up with another second in the last. Garner was third ahead of Perini, and a tight finish between Kelly, Sergio Pires (SR3) and Canavan.

In the leadup to the Yokohama Improved Production Nationals in June, South Australian Adam Poole brought his Holden Monaro over to NSW, easily won the three Over 2.0 litre races, and broke the lap record twice. Ben Algie (Nissan 200SX) scored three seconds and Ben Sheedy (Holden Commodore VE) edged out Steven Engel (EVO) for third overall.

Kurt Macready (Nissan Silvia) accounted for the Under 2.0 Litre field each time where in close contest for second, Matt Birks (Toyota Corolla) finished ahead of Charlie Viola (Honda Integra), Graham Bohm and Aaron Giuntini in Honda Civics.

In Formula Fords, Kaleb Belak (Spectrum) took the Formula Ford outings. In the first he beat fellow Duratec runner Jason Liddell (Van Diemen). The latter had a moment in the race two which allowed Will Lowing (Historic Van Diemen) to get the first of two seconds ahead of Thomas Kalamakis (Kent class Spirit). Dan Holihan (Spectrum) was next but spun out in the last after contact from Christian Read (Spirit).

Racing in Formula Vees was at its usual competitive best over the three races between dual race winner Darren Williams (Sabre), race two victor Tyron Wiseman (Checkmate) and Craig Sparke (Jacer) with William Pym (Jacer) not far behind. In the older 1200s Stephen Butcher dominated.

Reigning HQ Holden champ Chris Molle dominated with three big wins. The fight for the minors was much more fanatic where David Proglio was second three times but relegated four spots in race two with a penalty. Jason Molle was third overall while Dave Allan and Jarrod Harber finished equal fourth. Jeff Mulligan was on for a good result before he ran into a (helped) sideways Proglio in the last.

Doug Barry netted his first Formula Race Car round win after two firsts and a second. In his Reynard 92D Formula Holden, he toppled AGI Sport prodigies Brodie Norris and Kristian Janev in Mygale F4s. Barry led all the way in the first, passed Norris on the final lap in the second, lost several places at the start of the last before he finished second to Norris in the last.

Production Sports had several additions over the previous round and George Miedecke won both half-hour races in a Bentley Continental GT. The minor places went to Porsche drivers Jacque Jarjo and Tom McLennan with a second a third each while Geoff Morgan (Porsche) withstood numerous challenges for a pair of fourths.

The NSW Motor Race Championships will return to Sydney Motorsport Park for round four, a day/night meeting on July 8.

NEW DRIVING TEAM TO STEER THE ARDC

NEW BOARD LEADERS ELECTED AT 71ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB

26/05/23: The Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) announced today a new Board leadership team for 2023 with the election of Natalie Turmine as new President and Chair, and Jamie McDonald as Vice President.

Natalie is currently the CEO of Campbell Page, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and sits on several other high profile business Boards and committees. A motorsport enthusiast and competitor on both two- and four-wheels, and having already served six years on the ARDC Board and she will help shape the Club’s future with newly elected Vice President Jamie McDonald, also a well-regarded motorsport enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge and experience in business strategy and risk management.

“I am honoured to have been elected as the President of Australian Racing Drivers’ Club and Chair of the Board,” said Natalie.

“I look forward to working with our Vice President Jamie McDonald, Deputy Vice President Andrew Leithhead, our fellow Directors, Glenn Matthews our CEO and his amazing team, our officials, volunteers, partners and Members.

“Together we are committed to ensuring that the ARDC continues its more than 70 years of best-in-class Australian Motorsport stewardship, circuit management and presentation, exhilarating events and experiences, and ARDC Member representation.

“Sydney Motorsport Park, our home since 1996, is testament to this amazing journey and the upcoming grand opening of the Stage One building of the new Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP) on the Brabham Straight will be another step forward for the future of our Club, our Track, and for motoring and motorsport in Australia.”

The ARDC also recognises the contributions of outgoing President of 14 years, Andrew Leithhead, whose leadership has seen the organisation grow in stature and influence. Andrew’s tenure has overseen significant developments at the Eastern Creek circuit including the expansion of the track, installation of LED lighting, the creation of the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct, and multiple high-level events and programs. Andrew will continue to play an active role as Deputy Vice President, donating his time and expertise to the ARDC’s ongoing place in Australian motorsport.

“The ARDC team has achieved a great deal in the last decade or so and it has been an immense privilege to lead the Club over that period,” said Andrew.

“Leadership renewal is an important element of good governance, and after 14 years it is time for me to make way. I am very pleased that the Board has elected Natalie as our new President, and look forward to an exciting future for the ARDC.

“As one of the first female Board members of the ARDC, and now President, Natalie will continue to influence the future of our organization and how we attract new participants and audiences into Motorsport”.

The board’s vision is grounded in the ARDC’s core values of innovation, excellence, collaboration underpinned by its unsurpassed love of motorsport. Under the leadership of Natalie, Jamie and Andrew, and supported by Directors Phil Harrison, Peter Preller, Danny Rezek, Rachelle Stirling and Terry Thompson, the ARDC will continue to adapt to the changing demands of the industry and ensure that it serves its Members, government and industry partners through innovation, networking opportunities and enhanced services.

For more information on the Board, the Club, Sydney Motorsport Park
and the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct, please see 2025.ardc.com.au

2023 NSW MRC Round 2 Wrap

Words by Garry OBrien
Pics by Tyler Jones

Hosted by Sydney Motorsport Park on April 15-16, the second round of the NSW Motor Racing Championships was enormous where the big program featured three national categories.

Race one of round two of the Australian Formula Ford Series was taken out by Matt Hillyer. He staved off his Sonic team mate Conor Somers by 0.06 seconds. The race was a two-lap affair after a first lap safety car for the stranded Kyle Cotter. On the resumption, Lachlan Strickland and Synergy’s Eddie Beswick diced for third with the latter getting ahead. Then followed Zak Lobko from Dan Frougas and Xavier Kokai.

Hillyer backed up with a repeat in race two. He lost the lead for a lap to Somers. CHE’s Lobko finished third after his team mate Strickland and Beswick had contact. Behind the three Mygales, Kokai (Spectrum) was ahead of Frougas and Kobi Williams.

From the outset of the last race, Hillyer led as his nearest rival became Lobko due to Somers with a slow start and a clash with a rival at the first corner. Lobko glimpsed the lead after a couple of laps. Hillyer regathered the front running before the two clashed and Hillyer fell to sixth.

Lobko won ahead Williams as Strickland fought back to third, just ahead of Beswick, while Lachlan Mineeff placed fifth. Behind Hillyer in the round result it was Lobko second and Somers third. After a penalty in race one and second place, Thomas Kalamakis was a two-race winner in the Kent class, ahead of Will Liston who took the first.

Tim Macrow Racing shutout the front row in round two of AGI Formula Cars featuring Australian Formula Open. The Dallara F3s with Trent Grubel and Ryan Howe at the helms, were ahead of Gerrit Ruff and Miles Bromley. Both Ruff and Bromley stalled at the start. The latter was tagged by Graeme Holmes and Ruff by Lawrence Katsidis. The race was red flagged and declared a non-event.

Grubel (Dallara F312) was the tearaway winner of the next two races. Ryan Astley was second in the initial part of the first before he lost out to How. The 2015 Gold Star winner Jon Collins came through for third for Gilmour Racing when he displaced Astley on the penultimate lap.

In the later race, How held second throughout. Collins dropped spots to Astley, Winston van Laarhoven and Myles Bromley on the second lap, but fourth back to finish third. Van Laarhoven was next ahead of Astley, and Andrew Roberts.

It was the opening round of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Scholarship Series. Former Development Series and RX8 Cup driver Marcus La Delle completed a clean sweep. He trailed pole sitter Cody Burcher in the first few laps of race one before he took over the lead and won by half a second.

Max Geoghegan displaced Ben Gomersall to take third while Lachlan Bloxsom pulled a last lap move on Clay Richards for fifth. Then followed Hayden Hume, circuit racing debutant Ryan Tomsett, Matt Hillyer, 2022 Excel Nationals winner Ethan Grigg-Gault and Brock Stinson.

In race two, Burcher chased La Delle at the start but lost out to Geoghegan and Bloxsom who took over second by mid race. Richards finished fifth after a short scrap with Gomersall who ultimately crossed the line behind Hume and Tomsett. Stinson was ninth ahead of Grigg-Gault.

The third race was red flagged after four laps. Tomsett, Grigg-Gault and Jack Wesbury tangled at turn seven. When the race recommenced, Bloxsom was the runner up after he briefly lost second to Geoghegan. Burcher was next in front of Hume, Gomersall, James Wilkins, Oscar Targett and Stinson.

Round two of the NSW Sports Sedans saw Brad Shiels (Fiat 124/Rotary Turbo) lead all the way in the opening race ahead of Steven Lacey (Chev Camaro). Beril Cetin (Camaro) was second for a period until the engine cried enough and that promoted Matt Ingram (Mazda RX8) to third.

Shiels continued on his winning way in race two, followed by Lacey and Peter Ingram (RX7). In the last (trophy) race, the Chev Camaro driver was second until stopped at turn five with a fuel pump issue. That allowed the Ingram brothers Matt and Peter (RX7) to fill the minors.

The second round of Formula Vees produced a close first race result with Craig Sparke (Jacer) narrowly over Darren Williams and John McDonald (Jacer). Sparke slipped away to a comfortable win in the next, and Aaron Pace edged out fellow Sabre pilot Williams for second. The latter scored the last victory ahead of Sparke and Simon Pace (Sabre). The race shortened due to an incident at turn eight with McDonald and Aaron Pace.

NSW Supersports completed their second outing with John-Paul Drake (Wolf F1 Mistral) forging through to take race one from the back of the grid. He won from Alex Kenny in his new Nova Proto. Drake had to return home to SA after the race and left Kenny the victor over Ryan Godfrey (Wolf Tornado) both times.

Improved Production featured under and over 2.0 litre races. Ryan Gorton (Nissan 200SX) led the ‘unders’ initially but retired at the end of lap one with broken driveshafts. Kurt Macready (Nissan Silvia) was the winner over Michael Ricketts (Nissan Pulsar).

From the rear of the grid Gorton won the second race, his job made easier when Macready retired early. Gorton was out of race three early which paved the way for Ricketts to notch up a win. He too came from the back of the grid after a lose in the previous race.

Zak Hudson (Mazda RX7) led all the way in the ‘overs’ race. He also won race two, again ahead of Lachlan McBrien (BMW E46 M3). But after leading throughout race three, the RX7 was plagued by tyre wear and was pipped at the line by McBrien.

The first Production Sports sprint race had an immediate safety car due to a crash by Warwick Morris (Lamborghini Huracan) after the start. David Ryan (Porsche 991) was first across the line but a 5.0 second penalty gave Marcel Zalloua (Audi R8) the win. Paul Lucchitti (Audi) was second before he held off Zalloua in the next. The latter won the one-hour enduro by almost a lap over Lucchitti with David Ryan/Geoff Morgan a distant third.

There were four races for Superkarts in which Lee Vella set the pace in his 125cc Gearbox Avoig Elise. He led the first until he dropped out, after which he won the next three.

The next NSW Motor Race Championship round is scheduled for May 27 – 28 at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Racing With Autism Australia and ARDC Collaborate to make motorsport more accessible

OFFICIAL RELEASE 140423, Racing with Autism Australia.

We are pleased to announce a collaboration between Racing with Autism Australia (RWAA) and the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) which operates Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP).

Following in the footsteps of sports such as the NRL and AFL, Motorsport in NSW will now be more inclusive and accessible for people with autism and sensory sensitivities. At selected events, RWAA will be operating a safe space/chillout room in one of the suites in the North Druitt building at SMSP, kindly provided by the ARDC.

The first event of the collaboration will be on the Sunday of the Motorsport Australia NSW Motorsport Championships – held at Sydney Motorsport Park on April 16. RWAA will be operating out of Suite 4 and hope to welcome a new group of motorsport fans to the track, providing pit tours as well as a place to decompress and relax when the action becomes a little too overwhelming.

Racing with Autism Australia is a project that aims to raise awareness and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorder by showcasing the unique and talented individuals who are involved in motorsport/racing who themselves are on the Autism Spectrum. They offer an educational approach to our project with the goal of inspiring people from all walks of life. Although they acknowledge the importance of ongoing awareness, they are passionate about creating educational, inclusive and inspirational environments and do so thanks to the support of companies such as luxury car retailers YTG Bespoke as well as NSW Kart Team and NSW Kart School

One of the many purposes of Racing with Autism Australia (RWAA) is to support racers by sharing their stories, including their achievements and their everyday struggles, with the hope of not just gaining awareness for autism but creating inclusive environments and educating many.

As well as some of our supported racers, RWAA also will be attending with their NSW-based mentors to talk to the kids and adults.

Dan Holihan is the creator and host of the ground-breaking ‘On the Couch with Hooly’ podcast as well as being the 2022 NSW Formula Ford 1600 State Champion, 2017 HSRCA Historic State Champion and 2007 NSKC Club Champion. Dan is also on the autism spectrum and loves to show kids and adults alike exactly what can be done with a dream, a never say die attitude and a great work ethic.

Lachlan Ward is our other attending RWAA mentor and is the driver of the Productivity Bootcamp #117 Camaro in the Battery World Aussie Race Car Series (who last year was the highest placed Rookie driver and narrowly placed second in the overall championship). As well as being a previous Formula Ford and Legend Car series winner, Lachlan is a gifted coach and through his positions as head coach at NSW Kart School and NSW Kart Team has been working with drivers on the Autism Spectrum for many years now.

Pheels will also be in attendance with their sensory-friendly clothing for kids that feature soft fabrics, are tag-free, have flat seams and sensory-friendly designs.

To find out more about RWAA, click on our Facebook and Instagram or email intakerwaa@gmail.com.

Kumho Tyre NSW Sports Sedans to contest championship at ARDC Super 70 race meeting.

This weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park the Kumho Tyre NSW Sports Sedans will contest Round 4 of their Championship as part of the ARDC Super 70 race meeting, together with the Precision National Sports Sedan Series.

This race meeting celebrates the 70th birthday of the Australian Racing Driver’s Club and as such they have a fantastic array of racing planned, including earlier era, Group N Historic Touring Cars, Group S Historic Sports Cars, Heritage Group C & A Cars, and the HQ Holdens. In addition to these will be Production Touring Cars, Superkarts and yours’ truly Sports Sedans. Whilst it’s racing by day, at night the party continues on Saturday night with Tuned International’s monster car show, figure 8 drifting and the Skyworx drone show. This is a race meeting not to be missed.

The grid for Sports Sedans is at full track capacity of 38 cars, thanks to the amalgamation of both our State Championship and those from the National Series into one enormous grid of the thundering, winged monsters on racing slicks, aiming to set a new tin top sedan lap record.

The State and Division 1 Championships have opened up following Round 3, with the then clear leader of the Championships, Birol Cetin being unable to compete following an incident in qualifying in his Camaro. Birol will be keen to make amends this weekend, as he takes on Steven Lacey in the “sister car” Camaro to regain the Championship lead. They will no doubt be kept honest by third place State competitor Theo Cambouris, in his Division 2 Commodore, who has been quietly amassing point due his consistency during the first three rounds in both the State and Divisional Championships. The Division 3 Championship is presently led by David Atkin in his V8 powered BMW. Across all Divisions there will be battles aplenty with 20 of the 38 cars on the grid fighting for State points.

The Duggan Family Hotels’ Aston Martin, usually driven by Mark Duggan, will this weekend be driven by Supercars ace Andre Heimgartner competing in the National Series, whilst Mark will drive the Jack Daniel’s 2010 VE Commodore PE 048, which he piloted at Bathurst earlier this year in the DFH Bathurst Combined Sedans.

The contest for the National Series, currently led by Jordan Caruso’s Audi A4 is bound to be hard fought, with Championship second place holder Steven Tamasi in his Holden Calibra only 19 points behind Caruso leading into this weekend. Third and fourth place in the National series is held by Shane Woodman & Michael Robinson, respectively in their V8 powered machines.

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