Construction of a brand new motorsport facility in Western Australia is hoped to begin as soon as mid-year, subject to council and local government approvals.
Plans for a 3.5km circuit located approximately 60km south of Perth in Keysbrook were submitted by the Stati Group for approval of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale earlier this year.
The group has been working in association with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), Motorcycling Australia and the FIA to deliver a new venue for the WA region.
Designed by UK firm Apex Circuit Design, the track, featuring three layouts, is aimed at both cars and bikes, plans to host national race meetings, such as Shannons Nationals, alongside driver training and corporate events.
Funded by the Stati Group, the company is now awaiting the necessary approvals from council and local government before building work can commence, which could begin within the next two months.
Project manager Josh Hunt hopes the circuit will grow motorsport interest in WA and believes the track is perfectly placed to capitalise on the growing Asia market.
He also believes the venue can provide a home for motorcycle racing in the region after Barbagallo Raceway banned bikes from competing since 2016 due to safety concerns at the circuit.
“You can see from the layout of the circuit it is a wings and slicks and more of a bike kind of circuit, with the long radius, flowing corners, but there is no favour to either cars or bikes,” Hunt told Speedcafe.com.
“From the outset we want to grow the interest in motorsport in WA. We want to get driver training here and encourage some of the Asian manufacturer events.
“The east coast is catered for in terms of motorsport but here in WA we are so close to South East Asia, it opens up that whole market to us.
“As far as motorsport events go it will be suck it and see. As a race circuit, the race events are a small part of the business model.
“We would like to be able to add to the state motorsport stuff and we would like to encourage the Shannons Nationals or something like that. There have been no discussions as of yet.”
CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca has thrown his support behind the venture, labelling the venue an ‘exciting prospect’ for Western Australia.
“I must say that in a relatively short period of time the guys in Perth have rocketed into the top four or five (circuit) prospects around the country,” Arocca told Speedcafe.com.
“From what I can see that it is a real prospect and very exciting for Western Australia.
“All we can do is support anyone who is willing to invest in a track by providing them (The Stati Group) with logistical, design and other forms of advice.
“They have said from day one that this is going to happen, Bruce Keys (CAMS Manager of Track Safety) has been working with them and we have been lobbying the council, and that is going through a process at the moment.
“In WA we know there is a real appetite for motorsport and this track will be a real god send.”
Track Perth would become the third circuit in the region joining Barbagallo Raceway and the state-level Collie Motorplex, situated to the south east of the Western Australia capital.