TRACK GUIDE
MOTOR Magazine Australia|February 2022
SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK
TRACK GUIDE
SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK has cigarettes to thank for part of its rise to prominence on the world stage. The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix was held at Phillip Island in 1989, but law surrounding tobacco sponsorship in Victoria saw Sydney's new, purpose-built race track wafting in to take up the mantle from 1991. Eastern Creek, as it was referred to then, held the race until 1996.

Originally called Eastern Creek due to the suburb of Sydney it is located in the NSW goverment-owned facility is run by the Australian Racing Drivers' Club. In 2011 it was rebranded, gaining the SMSP acronym (although most call it SMP), before a $9m track extension was completed in 2012, affording numerous layouts. There are four track configurations, with two being able to run concurrently given there are two pits. The full Gardner GP circuit measures 3.93km long after Turn Six was altered.

However, it hasn't just been top-flight bikes taking to SMP. An FIA Grade 2 licence means any category below Formula 1 can race. From 2005 to 2007 AIGP held three events, culminating in six races, with drivers and teams competing for their nation. Ex-F1 ace Nico Hülkenberg holds the official lap record around the original layout.

Often too easily disregarded, our gun driver, Warren Luff, believes SMP is hard done by, saying “as a driver's circuit it's very challenging because it's got a lot of everything. Therefore it's a great circuit for honing your skills behind the wheel”. So soak in Luffy's tips and tricks before getting to Sydney's premier purpose-built facility.

SECTION ONE: THE SWEEPER TURN ONE

This story is from the February 2022 edition of MOTOR Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2022 edition of MOTOR Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MOTOR MAGAZINE AUSTRALIAView All
Ged Bulmer
MOTOR Magazine Australia

Ged Bulmer

THE ACCOMPANYING YARN WAS A RIB TICKLER, BUT THE SUITS AT PORSCHE DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2022
Dylan Campbell
MOTOR Magazine Australia

Dylan Campbell

WE WERE LIVING THE DREAM. WE ALL WANTED TO WORK FOR MOTOR AS TEENAGERS

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2022
HONDA NSX
MOTOR Magazine Australia

HONDA NSX

Honda's alloy missile - a friendly firecracker

time-read
8 mins  |
July 2022
TESLA MODEL S
MOTOR Magazine Australia

TESLA MODEL S

Looking back on the automobile's iPhone moment | TESLA AIMS TO ELEVATE THE ELECTRIC CAR FROM INTRIGUING CURIOUSITY TO A VIABLE MEANS OF EVERYDAY TRANSPORT

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2022
PORSCHE 959
MOTOR Magazine Australia

PORSCHE 959

Weissach rethinks the supercar

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2022
PCOTY LEGENDS - 1996-2022
MOTOR Magazine Australia

PCOTY LEGENDS - 1996-2022

HOW THE ANNUAL QUEST FOR AUSTRALIA'S BEST PERFORMANCE CARS HAS DELIVERED A ROLL CALL OF EXCELLENCE

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2022
THE UNDEFEATED
MOTOR Magazine Australia

THE UNDEFEATED

HONDA'S FK8 CIVIC TYPE R IS OUR LINEAL CHAMP, WINNING EVERY MOTOR COMPARISON AS WELL AS BOTH PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR AND BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS. WE PAY OUR RESPECTS WITH A FINAL DRIVE IN THE END-OF-THE-LINE LE SPECIAL

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2022
THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE
MOTOR Magazine Australia

THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE

IN A CULTURE OVERFLOWING WITH POSERS AND TRY-HARDS, WE FIND A HAVEN FOR THOSE THAT LOVE DRIVING ABOVE ALL ELSE

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2022
OPEN WIDE, SAY R
MOTOR Magazine Australia

OPEN WIDE, SAY R

VOLKSWAGEN'S GOLF R LANDS IN AUSTRALIA AND IT ALREADY HAS THE SWAGGER OF A GIANTKILLER ABOUT IT. WE LINE UP SOME ASYMMETRIC ALTERNATIVES TO SEE IF THE GOLF HAS THEIR RESPECTIVE TALENTS COVERED

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
SING FOR YOUR DINNER
MOTOR Magazine Australia

SING FOR YOUR DINNER

As the motoring world undergoes seismic shifts in focus, Rob Dickinson's vision for Singer remains clear

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2022