One Raceway to provide double the action

The team at One Raceway (formerly Wakefield Park) are surging forward in bedding down the new infrastructure ahead of October’s expected Australian SuperBikes opening, as the process of laying down the Asphalt on the newly redesigned bi-directional circuit is well underway.

Since new owner Steve Shelley took ownership from the Benalla Auto Club, and after achieving his crusade in winning over the locals to his vision, he’s brought to fruition what once seemed a losing battle for NSW motorsport.

The project will effectively see the State get two new racetracks, with the bi-directional aspect adding something unique to the sport’s landscape.

And Auto Action can reveal for the first time that the names of the two circuits will be Wakefield Circuit (clockwise) as a homage to its roots, and the Shelley Circuit (anti-clockwise).

The reshaping of the corners and extra run-off space to give each direction a unique feel, and the process in getting to the asphalt stage is just one aspect of a huge operation.

The team has moved mountains in completing the vital northern and southern sound walls, moving a staggering 10 million tons of dirt and, in welcome news for pundits, the previously run-down and broken-up car park out the back of the garage has also been relaid.

“The simulations we’ve been running appear to show that the track will be faster in the anti-clockwise direction due to the reshaping of the minimum run-off we once had,” Shelley told Auto Action.

“The way we’ve reshaped the Turns 1 and 2 complex allow a significantly faster downhill approach into that complex, which we’ve named Anzac.

“In pushing the sound wall back we’ve significantly extended the run off there, and that will be an all-asphalt area, and we’ve done the same in the old Turn 10 complex, which we’ve named Slingshot.

“It’s going to be a very dynamic track compared to the old one … with the investment we’ve made it’s virtually created a third new circuit for NSW. So the state is going from just having SMP, to getting a two-in-one.”

Variable weather in the Goulburn area has delayed the final asphalting process, but Shelley expects it to be completed in late June/early July.

“In order to re-work the corner amendments we’ve wanted, we’ve had to do significant remediation to the sub-base, then we’ve needed to put in lots of different correction layers before we lay down the asphalt. We expect to have that done inside July.

“To do this we’ve had a brilliant partnership with Diavall’s Earth Moving as well as Roadworx, and we’re delighted with the time and care they’ve put in to ensure this is one of the best motor circuits in the Southern Hemisphere.

“And in terms of FIA track licensing, we’ve had lots of input from MA2 and MA4, and both organisations are very happy with what they’re seeing.

“We’ve worked very closely with them on the speed diagrams to ensure that our runoff areas meet their specific criteria. With our first line of protections and fencing being put in, we expect to have the licensing ticked off by August at the latest.”

New innovative One Raceway software is being installed, providing interesting  opportunities for sponsorships and signage proposals.

Stay tuned for further news on One Raceway, including Shelley’s other circuit – Pheasant Wood Raceway – located only 25 minutes down the road. 

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