WAKEFIELD Park is set to reopen next year sporting a new name: One Raceway.
The venue’s new owner Steve Shelley has reported they’ve attained permission from the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, while extensive works will see One Raceway become Australia’s first bi-directional facility (able to run clockwise or anti-clockwise).
“Our new brand name, One Raceway, will encapsulate our revolutionary ability to have two circuits – one clockwise and one anti-clockwise – in the same raceway, while also symbolising the unity woven throughout our journey with the community,” Shelley said.
Wakefield Park had closed on September 1, 2022 after a prolonged battle regarding noise complaints.
Noise mitigation is being facilitated in the form of 10m walls at the northern and southern ends of the circuit, which will double as viewing platforms, and a mid-2024 reopening is being targeted.
“Every step of our endeavour is informed by our interactions with our neighbours, insights from the Goulburn Mulwaree community, and invaluable feedback from the motorsport fraternity,” Shelley said.
“With the ongoing and open dialogue with the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, we’ve charted a roadmap to rejuvenate and upgrade the raceway.
“This roadmap harmonises community sensibilities with motorsport thrills, including a comprehensive calendar of operations that ensures abundant opportunities for racing, practice, and training.
“Our plan has been reviewed and officially approved by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, underscoring the collective commitment to the project.”
Of the circuit upgrades, he added: “When we first visited the track, it was immediately obvious that the circuit was in less-than-optimal condition.
“While patches and temporary repairs would have been the easy option, we’ve chosen a more forward-thinking approach.
“Prioritising the safety of our participants and the longevity of the raceway, we have committed to a complete circuit resurfacing to provide a consistently reliable and safe racing surface.
“We are also undertaking extensive circuit drainage and water controls, to counter water pooling and seepage, eliminating the patches of standing water that would often form on the circuit after heavy rain.
“Additionally, we are undertaking critical safety enhancements, including refining the pit exit blend line, addressing long-standing safety concerns at Turns 1 and 2, the proximity and angle of the pit wall at the exit of Turn 10, and removing the risk-prone infield marshal bays.
“Changes to the profile of Turn 10 and some other alterations we are making to the pit entry and exit will enable the track to become uniquely capable of hosting races in both directions.
“This unparalleled move will not only present racers with fresh challenges but promises to reinvent the spectator experience. We will even be able to host multi-day events where we run one direction one day and the opposite direction the next day.
“In determining our scheduling of track days and other events, we will consider environmental factors including wind direction, and focus on how those conditions may affect our neighbours.”
Shelley is looking for volunteers to aid with the project.
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca hailed the news.
“Motorsport Australia is pleased to be working with Steve Shelley and the One Raceway team as the Goulburn venue gets ready to return to action,” he said.
“Today’s news is exciting for all motorsport fans, particularly those in New South Wales and the Goulburn region who are crying out for more motorsport facilities. These extensive works will give the venue the best opportunity to showcase and grow our sport in New South Wales.
“As the works progress, our team will continue working closely with One Raceway’s management to facilitate the process of obtaining a Motorsport Australia track licence for the circuit and to allow the venue to host many more motorsport events for years to come.
“Steve and the team have put in a tremendous amount of work to date and deserve congratulations for their efforts to date.”
