Wakefield Park to be renamed and reopened in 2024

In a major boost for Australian motorsport, Wakefield Park will reopen mid next year with a new name and revamped circuit.

The much-loved circuit located in Goulburn, New South Wales, which closed unexpectedly in 2022 will now be known as One Raceway.

Once opened, the revamped track will also become the first in Australia to run in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

The exciting news was revealed by the circuit’s new owner Steve Shelley, who has steered the ship to getting the track race ready once again.

When the circuit closed in 2022 due to noise levels and disruptions to the neighbouring community, it was a massive blow to the Australian motor racing scene, especially for NSW.

But Shelley has revealed after building a deep level of trust with the Goulburn Mulwaree Council and locals, things are on track for the facility previously known as Wakefield Park since it opened in 1994 to roar back to life under a new look and guise.

“Our new brand name, One Raceway, will encapsulate our revolutionary ability to have two circuits – one clockwise and one anti-clockwise – in the same raceway, while also symbolising the unity woven throughout our journey with the community,” Shelley said.

Track work taking place at the popular NSW circuit which is on the comeback trail. Images: Supplied

“Every step of our endeavour is informed by our interactions with our neighbours, insights from the Goulburn Mulwaree community, and invaluable feedback from the motorsport fraternity.

“With the ongoing and open dialogue with the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, we’ve charted a roadmap to rejuvenate and upgrade the raceway.

“This roadmap harmonises community sensibilities with motorsport thrills, including a comprehensive calendar of operations that ensures abundant opportunities for racing, practice, and training.

“Our plan has been reviewed and officially approved by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, underscoring the collective commitment to the project.”

Since taking ownership of the circuit, Shelley revealed he has taken the opportunity to give the circuit a significant amount of upgrades through a visionary approach that will facilitate the ground-breaking bi-directional operating capabilities.

“When we first visited the track, it was immediately obvious that the circuit was in less-than-optimal condition,” Shelley said.

“While patches and temporary repairs would have been the easy option, we’ve chosen a more forward-thinking approach.

The track works have ben taking place at One Raceway across all hours.

“Prioritising the safety of our participants and the longevity of the raceway, we have committed to a complete circuit resurfacing to provide a consistently reliable and safe racing surface.

“We are also undertaking extensive circuit drainage and water controls, to counter water pooling and seepage, eliminating the patches of standing water that would often form on the circuit after heavy rain.

“Additionally, we are undertaking critical safety enhancements, including refining the pit exit blend line, addressing long-standing safety concerns at Turns 1 and 2, the proximity and angle of the pit wall at the exit of Turn 10, and removing the risk-prone infield marshal bays.

“Changes to the profile of Turn 10 and some other alterations we are making to the pit entry and exit will enable the track to become uniquely capable of hosting races in both directions.

“This unparalleled move will not only present racers with fresh challenges but promises to reinvent the spectator experience. We will even be able to host multi-day events where we run one direction one day and the opposite direction the next day.

“In determining our scheduling of track days and other events, we will consider environmental factors including wind direction, and focus on how those conditions may affect our neighbours.”

Noise mitigation has been an area of significant attention at Wakefield Park, with noise walls being constructed at both the northern and southern ends of the circuit.

Wakefield Park’s new name One Raceway.

But these walls, which rise up to 10 metres, will also serve as viewing platforms, while the paddock area has also undergone a complete resurface among other targeted improvements planned based on feedback from competitors.

Shelley confirmed the changes have been approved by Motorsport and Motorcycling Australia, while he is on the hunt for volunteers to help bring One Raceway alive.

“The essential works around the venue will need extensive labour, so we’ll shortly be opening opportunities for volunteers to play a hands-on role in our efforts,” he said.

“We’ll be looking for people with trade skills, a passion for motorsport, or simply the desire to contribute – we’re in need of both time and resources to expedite our reopening.”

Anyone able to provide assistance with these projects can express interest HERE.

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