A state government report has proposed two options for upgrading Barbagallo Raceway, which Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron says offers a better strategic direction for WA motorsport than a street circuit.
A state government report has proposed two options for upgrading Barbagallo Raceway, which Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron says offers a better strategic direction for WA motorsport than a street circuit.
The first option for Barbagallo involved expanding the land area in the north-eastern corner of the existing lease, improvement works to the current facilities, including new pits and garages and the construction of 1 to 1.2 kilometres of new race track.
The second option involved expanding north from the existing lease, an upgrade of the existing track as well as construction of approximately two kilometres of additional track. Other improvements were new pits, garages and general amenities.
The next step would be to develop a detailed master plan based on the redevelopment options presented in the report. It was expected that the master plan would be completed by the end of the year.
The announcement is below:
A key stage in the strategic development of motorsport in Western Australia has been announced with the tabling in Parliament of a report setting out potential upgrades to Barbagallo Raceway.
The report, commissioned by the Department of Sport and Recreation and identifying two possible redevelopment options for upgrading and enlarging the existing track and supporting infrastructure, was tabled by Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron today.
"Both options will meet the technical specifications demanded by the V8 Supercars and offer a better strategic direction for WA motorsport than a street circuit," Mr Waldron said.
"While the V8 Supercar race round is the biggest fixture on the local motorsport calendar, the fact is Western Australian motor sports operate all year round."
The Minister said the report sought to deliver concepts that meet the requirements of V8 Supercars while ensuring ongoing motorsport opportunities for Western Australians across a range of categories.
"What has been identified is that Barbagallo can, with extensions to the leased area and upgrades to infrastructure, continue to successfully host the V8s and provide for the needs of Western Australians involved in motor sports," he said.
"Racing can continue and expand at what has become its traditional home in the West and on what is one of the most interesting driving circuits in Australia.
"We have worked closely on this project with the Western Australian Sporting Car Club (WASCC) and I would like to thank them for their invaluable input."
The first option involved expanding the land area in the north-eastern corner of the existing lease, improvement works to the current facilities, including new pits and garages and the construction of 1 to 1.2 kilometres of new race track.
The second option involved expanding north from the existing lease, an upgrade of the existing track as well as construction of approximately two kilometres of additional track. Other improvements were new pits, garages and general amenities.
The next step would be to develop a detailed master plan based on the redevelopment options presented in the report. It was expected that the master plan would be completed by the end of the year.