Wanneroo Raceway
Wanneroo Raceway, currently known as CARCO.com.au Raceway for naming rights reasons, is a 2.411 km (1.498 mi) motorsport circuit located in Neerabup, approximately 50 km (31 mi) north of Perth in Western Australia. It was built by the WA Sporting Car Club.
| Location | Wattle Avenue, Neerabup, Western Australia |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 |
| Coordinates | 31°39′55.08″S 115°47′28.68″E / 31.6653000°S 115.7913000°E |
| Capacity | 50,000 |
| FIA Grade | 3 |
| Owner | WA Sporting Car Club |
| Operator | WA Sporting Car Club |
| Opened | 2 March 1969 |
| Former names | Wanneroo Raceway (1969–1992, 2020–2022) Barbagallo Raceway (1992–2020) |
| Major events | Current: Supercars Championship Perth SuperSprint (1973, 1978–2009, 2011–2019, 2022–present) Former: GT World Challenge Australia (1982, 2016–2017, 2019, 2023) Australian Grand Prix (1979) Stadium Super Trucks (2017–2018) Australian F4 (2017) Australian Grand Prix (1979) Six Hour Le Mans (1969–1972) |
| Long Circuit (1969–present) | |
| Length | 2.411 km (1.498 miles) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Race lap record | 0:50.5769 ( Gary West, Lola T87/50, 2007, F3000) |
| Bike Circuit (2019–present) | |
| Length | 2.413 km (1.500 miles) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 0:55.909 ( Cameron Stronach, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2022, Superbikes) |
| Short Circuit (1992–present) | |
| Length | 1.760 km (1.094 miles) |
| Turns | 8 |
The circuit was originally known as Wanneroo Park and the first race meet took place in March 1969. Initially the major race per year was a 6-hour Le Mans style race for sedans and sports cars known as the Six Hour Le Mans. However, as interest dulled in that event, production car racing took over as the major race type. In 1979, the Australian Grand Prix was held for the first and so far only time at Wanneroo Raceway which coincided with the opening of the new pits and paddock area to the west of the circuit. The Grand Prix was won by South Australian Johnnie Walker driving a Lola T332 Formula 5000. Walker was the last driver to win the AGP driving a Formula 5000.
In 1992, it was decided that a short circuit would be constructed by linking Turn 5 on the current circuit to the back straight forming a new 1.760 km (1.094 mi) circuit. This extension was funded by prominent West Australian motorsport identity Alf Barbagallo and hence the circuit name was changed to Barbagallo Raceway.[1] The short circuit allowed for an increase in the types of racing including the inclusion of truck racing and also allowed events to be run at night.
The circuit was completely resurfaced in 2004 and this saw almost all lap records broken in the first few months of 2004. Due to the sandy nature of the area the circuit slowly became more and more abrasive over time and was considered one of the toughest on tyres in the country.
The circuit was resurfaced again in early 2019.[2] The circuit was renamed Wanneroo Raceway in 2020, however its name was changed as CARCO.com.au Raceway from August 2022 to November 2025.[3]
Events edit
The track holds a number of major race meets each year, with the biggest being a round of the Supercars Championship called the Perth SuperSprint. This is one of the biggest sporting events in Western Australia each year with over 50,000 people attending the 3-day event.
The circuit offers patrons drift racing as an occasional spectacle. Some criticism has also come from opponents of drifting, due to damage caused to the track surface, especially heading into Cat Corner at the end of the main straight, where entries of over 100 km/h (62 mph) are not uncommon.
The circuit hosted the inaugural Australian Festival of Speed in 2010. Formula One team Red Bull Racing and driver Mark Webber attended for a demonstration.[4] The festival never returned to the circuit, having bankrupted the owners.[citation needed]
The circuit also hosts a number of motorcycle racing and training events, including the WA State Championships for Superbikes, Supersport and Sidecars – along with a number of support classes.
Upgrades edit
Due to the removal of the circuit from the V8 Supercar calendar for 2010 season, the state government considered upgrading the track to improve the quality of the track and its facilities.
Many options were considered, which included extending the track to the north which would roughly double the length of the circuit, there were also alternative extension plans which were smaller. The widening of the track was also addressed, which would be needed to extend the track for safety regulations. The plan of the track extension was expensive if all aspects of the plan were considered, this would see this major upgrade of the circuit be postponed until the necessary upgrades are completed.
On 18 July 2011, the track's control tower was torn down, beginning the first stage of upgrades that saw the track widened, and a new pit facility built in the centre of the circuit, with connecting bridge. Improved lighting and safety barriers, as well as upgrades to facilities and buildings within the circuit formed part of the project.
Following a number of deaths Motorcycle Racing was banned from Wanneroo Raceway in November 2016 until a number of safety upgrades could be implemented.[5] In June 2016 the WA government released the "Wanneroo Safety Enhancement Options Identification Assessment", also known as the Hall Report, recommending changes to the circuit to allow motorbike racing to return.[6] These upgrades included the addition of a "Bus Stop" Style turn at turn 3, a barrier wall through the infield area between turns 4 and the back straight and some other minor improvements, and were added to the circuit in January 2017.[7] The track was relicenced by Motorcycling Australia in March 2019, allowing racing to return.[8]
Touring Car round winners edit
Wanneroo Raceway has held rounds of the Australian Touring Car Championship since 1973. The circuit was left off the calendar from 1974 to 1977 and again in 2010.
Craig Lowndes has won the most ATCC / V8 Supercars rounds at the circuit with six wins. The most successful touring car team at Wanneroo is the Dick Johnson Racing with seven wins.
The first ATCC race held at the circuit in 1973 was won by Allan Moffat driving a Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III for the Ford Works Team.
Lap records edit
As of April 2023, the fastest official race lap records at Wanneroo Raceway are listed as:[9][10][11][12]
| Class | Driver | Vehicle | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Circuit: 2.411 km (1969–present)[13] | ||||
| F3000 | Gary West | Lola T87/50 | 0:50.5769[11] | 25 March 2007 |
| F1000 | Nick Percat | Stohr F1000 | 0:53.0792[11] | 13 July 2019 |
| Sports Sedan | Tony Ricciardello | Alfa Romeo GTV-Chevrolet | 0:53.1680[11] | 3 March 2019 |
| Formula Mondial | John Bowe | Ralt RT4 | 0:53.44[11] | 25 August 1984 |
| Australian GT | Peter Major | Lamborghini Gallardo R-EX | 0:53.7056[11][14] | 4 May 2019 |
| Supercars | James Courtney | Holden Commodore ZB | 0:53.7293[11][15] | 3 May 2019 |
| GT3 | Christopher Mies | Audi R8 LMS Evo | 0:53.8065 | 30 April 2023 |
| Super2 | Zane Goddard | Nissan Altima | 0:54.3949 | 3 May 2019 |
| F5000 | John Wright[a] Johnnie Walker[a] | Lola T400[a] Lola T332[a] | 0:54.92[a] | 11 March 1979 |
| Superbikes | Daniel Falzon | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 0:55.446[16] | 5 June 2016 |
| Super3 | Brad Vaughan | Ford FG Falcon | 0:56.7392 | 30 April 2022 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | Steven Richards | Porsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup | 0:56.9816[17] | 1 May 2011 |
| Supersport | Sam Clarke | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | 0:57.184[16] | 5 June 2016 |
| Group 3A | Craig Lowndes | Holden VR Commodore | 0:57.995[18] | 26 May 1996 |
| 250cc Grand Prix | Rip Crocker | Yamaha TZR250 | 0:58.050[16] | 8 October 1995 |
| Formula 4 | Nick Rowe | Mygale M14-F4 | 0:58.4291 | 6 May 2017 |
| GT4 | Justin McMillian | KTM X-Bow GT4 | 0:58.727[11][14] | 4 May 2019 |
| Street Car Racing | Andrew Stevens | Nissan 180SX | 0:58.9157 | 24 July 2016 |
| Group A | John Bowe | Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth | 0:59.040[19] | 7 June 1992 |
| Sidecar | Steve Abbott Jamie Biggs | LCR-Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 0:59.4480[16] | 29 May 2005 |
| Formula Ford | Ashley Walsh | Spectrum 011b | 0:59.5717[11][20] | 24 March 2007 |
| Formula Ford Kent | James Small | Van Diemen 011b | 0:59.7669[11][20] | 13 June 2004 |
| Improved Production | Matt Cherry | Holden Monaro CV8 | 1:00.4662[11] | 14 April 2019 |
| 125cc Grand Prix | Josh Brookes | Honda RS125R | 1:00.7983[16] | 8 October 2000 |
| Formula Ford Silver | Ray Stubber | Royale RP31M | 1:02.2195[11] | 20 May 2007 |
| Group C (Australia) | Allan Moffat | Mazda RX-7 | 1:02.37 | 1 April 1984 |
| Group Nc | Paul Stubber | Chevrolet Camaro | 1:02.7990 | 29 April 2023 |
| Touring Car Masters | Michael Almond | Porsche 911 RS | 1:02.9005[11] | 5 May 2013 |
| Clubman Sports | Terry Smith | Hooper | 1:03.8160[11] | 8 April 2006 |
| SuperUtes Series | George Gutierrez | Holden Colorado–Chevrolet | 1:04.7952 | 30 April 2023 |
| Aussie Racing Cars | Dave Robson | Chevrolet Camaro-Yamaha | 1:05.1660 | 7 May 2017 |
| Saloon Cars | Grant Johnson | Holden Commodore (VT) | 1:05.1876[11] | 18 August 2019 |
| Mini Challenge | Leanne Tander | Mini Cooper R56 JCW | 1:05.6260 | 11 May 2008 |
| Supersport 300 | Sam Condon | Kawasaki Ninja 300 | 1:06.263[16] | 5 June 2016 |
| V8 Ute Racing Series | Grant Johnson | Ford FG Falcon Ute | 1:06.4669 | 1 May 2015 |
| Group Nb | Graeme Woolhouse | Ford Mustang | 1:06.7704[11] | 4 May 2019 |
| Group Sc | Harvey Leys | Porsche 911 Carrera | 1:07.1633[11] | 26 July 2009 |
| Group 3E Series Production | Graham Stones | Mazda RX-7 | 1:07.1823 | 15 August 1999 |
| Formula Vee 1600 | Ryan Simpson | Jacer F2K6 Volkswagen | 1:07.9889[11] | 14 October 2006 |
| Formula Vee 1200 | Jez Hammond | Spook Mk 1 Volkswagen | 1:09.6141[11] | 9 August 2004 |
| Group Sb | Ted Jordan | Porsche 356C | 1:11.8089[11] | 18 April 2004 |
| HQ Holden | Tony James | HQ Holden | 1:14.1755[11] | 11 July 2004 |
| Group Sa | John Rowe | Austin-Healey 3000 MkI | 1:14.9372[11] | 6 May 2007 |
| Group Na | Terry Smith | Ford Zephyr | 1:20.7941[11] | 11 July 2004 |
| Bike Circuit: 2.413 km (2019–present)[13] | ||||
| Superbikes | Cameron Stronach | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 0:55.909 | 24 April 2022 |
| Supersport | Tommy King | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R | 0:58.285 | 29 November 2020 |
| sub 400cc Production | Jordan White | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 1:06.3250 | 24 April 2022 |
| 150cc Junior 4T | Lenny Cowley | Yamaha YZF-R15 | 1:17.7480 | 3 April 2022 |
Oral history edit
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ Retrieved on 12 July 2014
- ^ Stefan Bartholomaeus, Changes at Barbagallo ahead of SuperNight, www.supercars.com Retrieved 23 December 2018
- ^ "New name for Perth's Wanneroo Raceway". speedcafe.com. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Mark Webber in Perth For Festival of Speed". watoday.com.au. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
- ^ "Motorcycle racing temporarily banned at Barbagallo". speedcafe.com.au. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ Hall Technical (1 December 2016). WANNEROO SAFETY ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT, Barbagallo Raceway, Western Australia (DOC) (Report). Department of Sport and Recreation, Govermnent of Western Australia. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "TRACK UPGRADE WORKS". WA Sporting Car Club. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Motorcycle racing returns to Barbagallo Raceway". perthnow.com.au. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ (PDF). West Australian Sporting Car Club. 24 August 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ^ . Motorcycle Racing Club Western Australia. 9 May 2010. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "CARCO.com.au Raceway - Track Records". Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Natsoft Race Results - Wanneroo". Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Wanneroo Raceway - Racingcircuits". Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Australian GT Championship Barbagallo 2019". Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "2019 Perth Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Barbagallo Raceway Motorcycle Lap Records - 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ "Trading Post Challenge - 2012 V8 Supercars — Races 7,8&9 - Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo - 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Race 3". National Software. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2013.[dead link]
- ^ "1996 Barbagallo #1". Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ "1992 Barbagallo #1". Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Australian Formula Ford Lap Records". Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ Hurney, John (2000), Interview with John Hurney : Wanneroo raceway /, Joondalup Local Studies, retrieved 22 January 2020
- ^ McCrakan, Patsie (1999), Interview with Patsie McCrakan : Wanneroo raceway, Joondalup Local Studies, retrieved 22 January 2020
External links edit
- CARCO.com.au Raceway