Eastern Creek upgrade..?

[MadKaw]

Eastern Creek Raceway Commissions Expansion Survey

From ARDC
A $350,000 feasibility study by one of the world's leading motor racing circuit engineering companies will examine further enhancing Sydney's Eastern Creek International Raceway complex, potentially to Formula One capability.

The study will be completed in the second half of 2008 and has been commissioned by the Australian Racing Drivers Club.

The ARDC's plans include a complex which can run two tracks simultaneously, and a major commitment to driver education.

The plans seek to maximise the use of the 90-hectare Eastern Creek Raceway complex for exhibitions and entertainment outside motorsport.

The main racing circuit should be capable of meeting the requirements of all forms of motor racing up to Formula One, MotoGP and Australia's leading domestic series.

The ARDC has commissioned British-based Apex Circuit Design Ltd, a company responsible for major motorsports developments in the Middle East, to carry out the study.

Apex is responsible for the redevelopment plan for Britain's Silverstone circuit complex, home of the British Grand Prix, and it is involved in the development of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix circuit to be inaugurated in September.

It also designed and built the Dubai Autodrome and circuits in the USA, Abu Dhabi, Russia and Iceland.

The ARDC holds a long-term lease on Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney's west from landowner the NSW State Government.

The feasibility plan would be presented to the State Government for funding consideration.

ARDC president John Cotter said the feasibility study was an essential first step in plans to ensure Australia remained relevant in world motorsport.

Strong competition from emerging nations to secure major motorsport events threaten to marginalise Australia, with a resulting loss in status and tourism potential, Mr Cotter said.

"Equally, there is a real need to ensure that Sydney is well serviced with a motoring and motorsports complex to meet local needs, including driver education, track days and motor industry development requirements.

"The impending closure of Oran Park Raceway in Sydney's south-west will leave the Sydney basin with only Eastern Creek Raceway, and its use is already at near full capacity.

"Currently there are only three booking dates available at Eastern Creek Raceway for the rest of this year."

Mr Cotter said the study was intended to provide a masterplan which would at least double Eastern Creek Raceway's full-time capability on a year-round basis.

"There has been some talk of persuading the NSW government to spend substantial money on a non-permanent street circuit less than 20 kilometres from Eastern Creek Raceway, a model similar to that of Melbourne's Albert Park F1 track and the Surfers Paradise Indy Car track," Mr Cotter said.

"Both are used only once a year with large set-up and deconstruction costs.

"The ARDC believes a permanent motorsport complex should be a far more cost-effective proposition, and be far more useful.

"It would have all of the upsides of tourism and excitement combined with the value benefit of year-round use."

Mr Cotter said the brief to Apex Circuit Design was to provide a realistic plan which would return positive financial benefit to Eastern Creek Raceway's stakeholders.

In the last eight years the ARDC has turned Eastern Creek Raceway from a loss-maker into a profitable concern, making a substantial surplus after paying for improvements, upgrades and rent to the NSW Government as landlord.

Eastern Creek Raceway was built in 1990 to host a round of the World MotoGP championship.

It has subsequently hosted A1GP, rounds of the V8 Supercars, Australian Superbike Championship, cycling events, cross-country running carnivals, car shows as well as exhibitions and music concerts.

[Wattie]

if they're making so much money, why don't they resurface it???


other than that, bring on another track, with right handers...

[SoundGuy]

if they're making so much money, why don't they resurface it???


other than that, bring on another track, with right handers...

Yes more right handers please

[robracer]

[quote="Wattie"]if they're making so much money, why don't they resurface it??? quote]

Because thay dont ..... the lease cost's the ARDC a small fortune the irony is they are looking for more money/ grant from the govt

[penno]

F1 upgrade means run off areas that are largely bitumen so that the cars don't get stranded and not all together very motorcycle friendly when you go sliding down the road .

It would seem that the only way F1 will end up staying in Australia is if they go night racing for European audiences so with the cost of increasing the run off, laying all the extra bitumen, then installing adequate lighting I wouldn't think there will be too much left for some righthanders.

[mmamster]

I guess it is positive from the perspective of keeping F1 in Australia. Also with the tarmac runoff areas, this will make it safer for over shooting corners (effectively an escape road on every corner), if not for lowsides. Another thing is that bumping over grass can be hazardous - there is a fantastic shot of max biaggi's bike cartwheeling on the grass at PI turn 1 from hitting the dirt, and just missing his head. I suspect that wouldn't happen as much to a bike or rider with a tarmac apron.

[dave#3]

F1 upgrade means run off areas that are largely bitumen so that the cars don't get stranded and not all together very motorcycle friendly when you go sliding down the road

I'm not sure I agree completely. Honda hairpin at PI has an escape road that's sealed and I think there are less crashes as a result (people run off still upright, do a U turn and rejoin the race). When riders crash on the grass they often get thrown around, destroying bikes, breaking bones and making for great photos . Besides, if tarmac was so dangerous to slide along, why haven't they done something about the vast swathes of tarmac already in existence and most modern road-race circuits

[penno]

If you look at the modern F1 circuits they tend to bitumen runoff areas at the end of long straights especially down the start/finish straight. We've all seen someone (several probably) come off at turn 1 at either PI or EC. So where I'm coming from is unless they substantially increase the run off at turn 1 EC what would of become of those that have come off in the past if that all gets laid with tar?
I speak without track riding experience so do not assume to be coming from a position of great knowledge but what I can glean from Ecclestones statements previously any improvements that would allow F1 at Eastern Creek will probably not be bike friendly. F1 teams want to be able to run wide and rejoin the race. Unfortunately at many of the corners where an F1 car runs wide a bike rider is already burning his arse as he slides down the road. Kitter litter doesn't look all that attractive to me but at least it slows you down before that sudden fullstop provided by the fence.
I recall reading somewhere a couple of years ago Rossi complaining about one of the Spanish tracks being modified for F1 and not being happy about the runoff areas.
The other point with F1 is that they are extremely hard on the surface and many tracks require resurfacing after F1 has visited. I can't imagine them resurfacing EC straight after the F1 GP should it end up in Sydney, but more likely just before they arrive for the next race. Not good for those forking out for track days.
Last point - if EC becomes an F1 circuit watch the fees skyrocket as cashed up F1 teams utilise it as a test track.
I'd love to see F1 in Sydney and EC upgraded, I just don't think the every day punter will get much benefit.