Media release: Wednesday 16 August 2023
The launch of the groundbreaking Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP) in Western Sydney has put Australia on track to become a world leader in high-performance technology.
Dubbed Sydney’s answer to Silverstone, the $10 million trackside precinct at Sydney Motorsport Park in Eastern Creek is being developed by the Australian Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), with support and investment from the NSW Government.
Officially opened today by the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy and Jobs and Tourism, John Graham said the precinct will be a driving force for the night-time economy, innovation and jobs.
“Keeping the best in the business here in Western Sydney, we will help create the smart jobs and technology of the future, which will fuel our economy and further support an already hugely popular sport that’s attracting visitors day and night to this first-class circuit,” Mr Graham said.
“These events help to identify, develop and foster the next generation of motorsport talent, creating a direct pathway for young Australian motor racing drivers.
“For generations, motorsports have driven innovations that have benefited millions of ordinary drivers. This precinct will supercharge this process.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct was a key part of the NSW Government’s $32 million investment in Sydney Motorsport Park.
“The NSW Government recognises and understands the passion for motorsport in western Sydney,” Mr Kamper said.
“We are an enthusiastic supporter of the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct at Sydney Motorsport Park which will create a cluster of world-leading businesses to drive innovation and create employment opportunities in western Sydney.
“This project comes on top of our investment in a major track extension and the installation of permanent circuit lighting at the circuit as well as upgrades to Sydney International Dragway which includes a new world-class surface, grandstand and lighting.”
AMIP was inspired by the Silverstone Innovation Park Precinct at the iconic British Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit in the UK. Bringing together more than 70 businesses specialising in advanced engineering, electronics and software development, the precinct is now recognised as a world-leading cluster of high-tech businesses.
Natalie Turmine, the first female President and Chair of the ARDC and a keen two-wheel and four-wheel competitor, said the opening of the AMIP building was the first step in creating an Australian high-performance technology and motorsport hub.
“We’re writing the next chapter in Australia’s rich motoring history,” Ms Turmine said.
“By offering a dedicated on-track centre for innovation, education, STEM and motorsport skills training, precision engineering and safety technology, this precinct will create opportunities that will benefit not just the motorsport industry but every road user.
“It is also vital that we create a professional environment that supports, attracts and encourages female participation in motorsport, engineering and smart manufacturing.”
Glenn Matthews, ARDC CEO, said the new precinct offered a unique environment for the industry.
“What’s unique about AMIP is its trackside location within SMSP – undoubtedly Australia’s busiest and most diverse permanent race facility. The attraction of working alongside a smorgasbord of different car and bike events and experiences, race categories, teams and engineers creates a real honey-pot effect.
“This isn’t just a launch, this is also an invitation – we want to attract the brightest minds to join us here at Sydney Motorsport Park to collaborate with the leaders in the automotive industry to create the jobs and technology of the future.”
Formula 1 Chief Operations Officer Richard Hopkins, High Performance Advisor to Walkinshaw Andretti United, UNSW Professor and Team Principal of the Guinness World Record holders Sunswift Racing Team, has come on board as the AMIP’s inaugural ambassador.
“This is an opportunity to nurture the talent of tomorrow, with enormous potential to create a competitive motoring ecosystem that will put Australia alongside the industry’s best,” Professor Hopkins said.
“This precinct is a vital step in creating a globally competitive motorsport collaboration for high performance technology, cleaner energy-efficient products and sustainable solutions that we can take into mainstream manufacturing.”
Adam Gotch, principal of globally recognised professional racing team AGI Sport, has set up his new Formula Four race academy garage in the new building, housing more than a dozen competitive F4 race machines.
In conjunction with the ARDC, AGI Sport will also use AMIP as an international base for the new F1 Academy for women to scout for drivers and offer elite driver coaching and training of potential female F1 drivers of the future.
“Our aim is to establish the number one elite race academy in Australasia at Australia’s number one race circuit. The on-track location is a real drawcard for the sport’s rising stars as we nurture Australia’s next F1 driver. The shared passion and support from the ARDC is the fuel injector to make this vision become a reality,” Mr Gotch said.
AGI Sport’s resident tenancy neighbour is the motorcycle technology company, Forcite, makers of the world’s first mass produced smart helmet. The Australian start-up has recently gone global with its latest generation of smart helmets, the Forcite MK1S. Co-founders Julian Chow and Alfred Boyadgis have established their design and testing headquarters, Forcite Labs, at the AMIP hub.
“Forcite has motorsports in its DNA, so being in a smart precinct on track is an exciting opportunity for our company,” Mr Boyadgis said.
“Forcite Design Engineers will now be able to collaborate with the industry’s best and test our technology on a world-class track day and night. I have no doubt this will help us speed up innovation.
“We are already in discussions with the ARDC and their technology partners to begin cut-through on-track testing for breakthroughs in rider safety and event broadcast,” he added.
For media enquiries, contact Belinda Wallis:
M: 0466 386 887
EMAIL: [email protected]
For motoring media requests, contact Kurt McGuiness:
M: 0413 135 334
EMAIL: [email protected]
OR Samantha Stevens,
Media and Communications at the ARDC/AMIP/Sydney Motorsport Park
[email protected]
0411 494 414