Burswood boost: Supercars drivers back plans for new circuit
V8 Supercars veteran Will Davison says a street circuit in Burswood would bring the sport 'to the people', creating a whole new generation of fans and potentially racers in WA.
Wanneroo Raceway, currently known as Carco.com.au Raceway, will notch its 100th race this weekend at the Perth Super 440, the first track in Australia to do so, but the circuit has long been dated.
For many categories, it is far too short, and the raceway itself is located in a hard-to-get-to corner of Perth that fans would be forgiven for not knowing existed.
However, proposed plans for a track in the heart of Burswood that hosts Crown Resorts and Casino as well as state-of-the-art sporting coliseum Optus Stadium would ensure everybody knew the Supercars were in town.
'I've been around this sport for a long time, and I've been a part of a lot of the street races that have started from scratch over the last 10 or 15 years,' Davison said.
'Some have worked. Some haven't. I'm a huge supporter of supporting local motorsport circuits, but our cars and street events, you explain it in a way where you're bringing your sport to the people, particularly in the heart of the CBD.
'We have our die-hard fans that love supercars and love motorsport. There's a lot of people that are on the fence until they come and experience it first-hand and feel that it's much more than a motorsport event.
'There's so much going on at street events that are good for the kids, good for the family. There's entertainment everywhere you look. V8 driver Will Davison. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
'And until you sort of feel that around a street track experience, the atmosphere that it creates... it's probably impossible to explain it to people.'
Perth-born Supercars and Bathurst 1000 champion Brodie Kostecki was involved in the design process for the new circuit and said it was an 'exciting' prospect for motorsport fans in his hometown.
'I've been pretty privileged to be a part of the circuit design, which has been a great process,' he told The West Australian.
'I've been able to work with some really smart people in that field, and I think it will be an exciting time for everyone in Western Australia.
'It's going to be multi-use across multiple different sports and disciplines, so it's going to be great.
'I was part of the process to make sure the track's competitive, entertaining and good to drive, but I'm a very small cog in the wheel.'
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