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Wanneroo Raceway

(Redirected fromWanneroo Park)

Wanneroo Raceway,currently known asCARCO.au Racewayfornaming rightsreasons, is a 2.411 km (1.498 mi) motorsport circuit located inNeerabup,approximately 50 km (31 mi) north ofPerthinWestern Australia.It was built by theWA Sporting Car Club.

CARCO.au Raceway
Map of Wanneroo Raceway (Formerly Barbagallo Raceway) as of 6th March 2021
LocationWattle Avenue,Neerabup, Western Australia
Time zoneUTC+08:00
Coordinates31°39′55.08″S115°47′28.68″E/ 31.6653000°S 115.7913000°E/-31.6653000; 115.7913000
Capacity50,000
FIA Grade3
OwnerWA Sporting Car Club
OperatorWA Sporting Car Club
Opened2 March 1969;55 years ago(1969-03-02)
Former namesWanneroo Raceway (1969–1992, 2020–2022)
Barbagallo Raceway (1992–2020)
Major eventsCurrent:
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)
Length2.411 km (1.498 miles)
Turns7
Race lap record0:50.5769 (AustraliaGary West,Lola T87/50,2007,F3000)
Bike Circuit (2019–present)
Length2.413 km (1.500 miles)
Turns9
Race lap record0:55.909 (AustraliaCameron Stronach,Yamaha YZF-R1,2022,Superbikes)
Short Circuit (1992–present)
Length1.760 km (1.094 miles)
Turns8

The circuit was originally known asWanneroo Parkand the first race meet took place in March 1969. Initially the major race per year was a 6-hourLe Mansstyle race forsedansandsports carsknown as theSix Hour Le Mans.However, as interest dulled in that event,production car racingtook over as the major race type. In1979,theAustralian Grand Prixwas 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 bySouth AustralianJohnnie Walkerdriving aLola T332Formula 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 identityAlf Barbagalloand hence the circuit name was changed toBarbagallo Raceway.[1]The short circuit allowed for an increase in the types of racing including the inclusion oftruck racingand also allowed events to be run at night.

The circuit was renamed Wanneroo Raceway in 2020, however its name was changed as CARCO.au Raceway from August 2022 to November 2025.[2]

Events

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Formula OneaceMark Webberdrove a demonstration run at the circuit on 28 November 2010.

The track holds a number of major race meets each year, with the biggest being a round of theSupercars Championshipcalled thePerth SuperSprint.This is one of the biggest sporting events inWestern Australiaeach year with over 50,000 people attending the 3-day event.

The circuit offers patronsdrift racingas 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 OneteamRed Bull Racingand driverMark Webberattended for a demonstration.[3]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

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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.

Due to the removal of the circuit from the V8 Supercar calendar for2010 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 at the circuit in motorcycle events, motorcycle racing was banned from Wanneroo Raceway in November 2016 until a number of safety upgrades could be implemented.[4]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.[5]These upgrades included the addition of a motorcycle-only chicane 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.[6]

The circuit was resurfaced again in early 2019,[7]and was relicenced by Motorcycling Australia in March 2019, allowing racing to return.[8]

Touring Car round winners

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Peter Brockracing at Wanneroo Park in 1985
Main article:Perth SuperSprint

Wanneroo Raceway has held rounds of theAustralian Touring Car Championshipsince 1973. The circuit was left off the calendar from 1974 to 1977 and again in 2010.

Craig Lowndeshas won the most ATCC / V8 Supercars rounds at the circuit with six wins. The most successful touring car team at Wanneroo is theDick Johnson Racingwith seven wins.

The first ATCC race held at the circuit in1973was won byAllan Moffatdriving aFord XY Falcon GTHO Phase IIIfor theFord Works Team.

Lap records

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As of May 2024, 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
Radical Cup Peter Paddon Radical SR3 XKR 0:55.5847 19 May 2024
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 Commodore VR 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
Touring Car Masters Adam Garwood Holden Commodore VB 1:00.0355 19 May 2024
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
Aussie Racing Cars Kody Garland Ford Mustang-Yamaha 1:03.2863 18 May 2024
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
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 F2K6Volkswagen 1:07.9889[11] 14 October 2006
Formula Vee 1200 Jez Hammond Spook Mk 1Volkswagen 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
Supersport 300 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

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Notes

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  1. ^abcdeBoth riders took the same lap time independently in the same race.

References

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  1. ^Building the Short Circuit,wascc.au via web.archive.orgRetrieved on 12 July 2014
  2. ^"New name for Perth's Wanneroo Raceway".speedcafe. 11 August 2022.Retrieved8 December2022.
  3. ^"Mark Webber in Perth For Festival of Speed".watoday.au. 1 September 2010.Retrieved2 December2010.
  4. ^"Motorcycle racing temporarily banned at Barbagallo".speedcafe.au. 11 November 2016.Retrieved6 March2021.
  5. ^Hall Technical (1 December 2016).WANNEROO SAFETY ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT, Barbagallo Raceway, Western Australia(DOC)(Report). Department of Sport and Recreation, Government of Western Australia.Retrieved6 March2021.
  6. ^"TRACK UPGRADE WORKS".WA Sporting Car Club. 13 December 2016.Retrieved6 March2021.
  7. ^Stefan Bartholomaeus, Changes at Barbagallo ahead of SuperNight, supercarsRetrieved 23 December 2018
  8. ^"Motorcycle racing returns to Barbagallo Raceway".perthnow.au. 1 March 2019.Retrieved6 March2021.
  9. ^"Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo 2.42366 km Long Circuit"(PDF).West Australian Sporting Car Club. 24 August 2010. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 9 April 2013.Retrieved6 April2013.
  10. ^"Lap Records".Motorcycle Racing Club Western Australia. 9 May 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 30 April 2013.Retrieved6 April2013.
  11. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"CARCO.au Raceway - Track Records".Retrieved8 December2022.
  12. ^"Natsoft Race Results - Wanneroo".Retrieved8 December2022.
  13. ^ab"Wanneroo Raceway - Racingcircuits".Retrieved8 December2022.
  14. ^ab"Australian GT Championship Barbagallo 2019".Retrieved8 December2022.
  15. ^"2019 Perth Race 1 Statistics".Retrieved8 December2022.
  16. ^abcdef"Barbagallo Raceway Motorcycle Lap Records - 2016"(PDF).Retrieved14 December2022.
  17. ^"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.Retrieved6 April2013.[dead link‍]
  18. ^"1996 Barbagallo #1".Retrieved14 December2022.
  19. ^"1992 Barbagallo #1".Retrieved14 December2022.
  20. ^ab"Australian Formula Ford Lap Records".Retrieved29 November2022.
  21. ^Hurney, John (2000),Interview with John Hurney: Wanneroo raceway /,Joondalup Local Studies,retrieved22 January2020
  22. ^McCrakan, Patsie (1999),Interview with Patsie McCrakan: Wanneroo raceway,Joondalup Local Studies,retrieved22 January2020
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