SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK HISTORY 1888: The nearby Prospect Reservoir was completed, although these days, the reservoir is used for water supply purposes on average one day a year. 1985: Wonderland Sydney opened just down the road from SMP. It closed in 2004. 1989: Development of the circuit was approved, with construction quickly kicking into gear. 1990: Opening year for Eastern Creek, with Superbikes in July, before the Nissan Sydney 500 in November, which was won by Larry Perkins/Tomas Mezera, from a field of 36 starters. 1991: With the a Victorian Government arguing with the tobacco industry following the inaugural Motorcycle AGP at Phillip Island in 1989, the event moved north to Eastern Creek. 1992: The Winfield Triple Challenge of touring cars, bikes and drags kicked off, running for four years. 1996: The ARDC relocates from Amaroo Park to Eastern Creek.
2004: TThe adjacent Western Sydney International Dragway opened, after drag racing the wrong way up the Eastern Creek main straight had come to a top level conclusion. 2005: A1 Grand Prix arrives for the first of three events, with Will Davison driving for Australia. For the next two years the host country was represented by Karl Reindler and John Martin, while Chris Alajajian scored a gig with Lebanon in 2008.
2011: The venue played host to the pre-season V8 Supercars test, which was repeated from 2013 to ’15. The 2013 test was the first to feature the COTF and had a practice “Action Zone” spec rolling start, while 2015 controversially went head-to-head with the Bathurst 12 Hour. 2012: Major renovations are carried out to the facility, which also received a re-branding to Sydney Motorsport Park. 2020: Sydney Motorsport Park came to the rescue of the Supercars Championship, with back-to-back rounds in June and July as the pandemic caused issues around the country.
1996: The final 500cc AGP at Eastern Creek ends in drama, with Alex Criville clattering into teammate Mick Doohan at the hairpin behind the pits on the last lap. Not a good way to impress your hosts… 2003: Russell Ingall absolutely fenced Mark Skaife at the same part of the circuit. Greg Murphy missed the race with a bad back. Marcos Ambrose won the title as lightning killed the power supply to the facility. That race had a bit on…
SYDNEY INSIDER TRADING Best Local Feed: Royal Cricketer’s Arms - 385 Reservoir Rd, Prospect NSW 2148, ALG employee favourite Best Local Beer: The New Victoria Tavern, has new owners and a clean image now, decent spot for a drink. Best Traffic Tip: Don’t Speed - Sydney has cameras for that. Don’t hold a mobile phone while driving - Camera’s for that too. Matter of fact, everyone has dashcams too, so be good on the road.
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