Supercars News: Perth race to move to city circuit

The West Australian government has announced with Supercars series organizers that the state’s round of the domestic championship will move from Wanneroo Raceway, approximately 40 kilometers north of the city, to a street course built around Burswood Park in 2026.

Roads in the area would be upgraded and converted into a V8 racetrack, with the event complimented by a 10-day festival in Perth and Kwinana.

Burswood Park is east across the Swan River from the CBD and the site of the city’s casino and exhibition center. The purpose-built venue will be semi-permanent, employing public roads but also new infrastructure — similar to Melbourne’s Albert Park and Townsville’s Reid Park — including fixed grandstands.

The state government hopes to increase attendance at its Supercars round by more than 500 percent, with 50,000 daily spectators anticipated at the proposed street track, up from around 30,000 for the entire weekend at last month’s race at Wanneroo.

“The Supercars SuperSprint at Wanneroo has been a much-loved event on the annual tourism calendar for many years now, and this will no doubt take it to the next level on a much bigger stage for more fans and visitors to enjoy,” WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said.

“We know how passionate and enthusiastic motorsport fans are, and I know locally they’ve been wanting this to happen for some time, particularly when they’ve seen similar circuits built in other cities across the country.

“It’s really exciting to see this vision start to become a reality, and of course will have broader community benefits year-round with permanent grandstands and upgrades to the park.”

Local authorities are also hoping to position the round as a focal point for motorsport in the broader Asian region, capitalizing on WA’s time zone and sub-six-hour flight time to South-East Asian hub Singapore.

“I want Perth to be one of the major events capitals of the South-East Asian region,” WA Premier Roger Cook said, per the West Australian. “Major events bring tens of thousands of visitors to our state, creating local jobs, supporting local business and helping our economy remain strong.”

“Living in Kwinana, I know how big our motorsports community is in WA,” Premier Roger Cook said. “We’ve seen the success of street circuits over east, and Burswood Park would be the perfect place for a uniquely WA V8 event.”

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti met with Supercars in Melbourne earlier this year to progress the idea.

“Imagine the noise, atmosphere, and crowds as V8s fly around a new and specially designed race track in Burswood Park, just a stone’s throw from the city. It’ll be incredible,” Ms Saffioti said.

“We know how passionate and enthusiastic motorsport fans are, and I know locally they’ve been wanting this to happen for some time — particularly when they’ve seen similar circuits built in other cities across the country.

“It’s really exciting to see this vision start to become a reality, and of course will have broader community benefits year-round with permanent grandstands and upgrades to the park.”