NEW SYDNEY SPEEDWAY OPERATOR APPOINTED

Experienced speedway and events operators John and Kathy Kelly and Scott Anderson have joined forces to successfully secure an eight-year lease of the new Sydney International Speedway after a public tender process, with the facility on track to be operational by the start of the 2021 racing season.

Suellen Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Greater Sydney Parklands said, “Speedway Promotions is committed to our vision of making Sydney Motorsports Park at Eastern Creek the home to world-class motorsport in NSW”.

Ms Fitzgerald said the lease follows not only the Government’s investment in the speedway itself but also a further $33 million upgrade of Sydney Motorsports Precinct for night lighting, upgrades to the dragway and a centre of excellence for motorsports which will enable the site to host some of the biggest motor racing events in Australia.

“This is the first (Speedway Australia) Five Star speedway built anywhere in the country in over 20 years and is a major investment in one of the country’s premiere sports and tourism facilities,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“Motorsports fans can look forward to an action-packed calendar of international, national and interstate events and competitions this season, delivering a major boost to tourism and Western Sydney’s economy”.

Speedway Promotions brings together the speedway operational experience of John and Kathy Kelly and the motorsport promotion experience of Scott and Leonie Anderson.

“The Kelly’s will bring 21 years of speedway experience to Eastern Creek, having successfully operated Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway since July 2000,” Ms Fitzgerald said. “Scott and Leonie Anderson have extensive knowledge of motorsport events as promotors and are the proprietors of BSA Media and Monster Events”.

Mr and Mrs Kelly said, “We’re honoured to have the opportunity to operate the new Speedway. We can’t wait to start working with the Australian Racing Driver’s Club (ARDC) and Sydney International Dragway to make the Sydney Motorsport Precinct one of the best motorsport facilities in the world.”

There will also be a range of recreational and community uses of the new Speedway facility including vocational education and training, festivals, charity events, markets and club activities and events.

Speedway Australia Chairman Guy Thompson was also enthusiastic. “For the sport of speedway this a great appointment. With very experienced operators having deep knowledge of the sport and support from competitor groups, they will hit the ground in top gear. Speedway Australia look forward to working with them.”

From a logistical perspective, clubs will be contacted by the venue operators soon to finalise arrangements for the 2021/22 season, with an events calendar to be released in due course. And finally, it has been confirmed that the iconic World Series Sprintcars tour will be returning to Sydney this January after a long absence!