Update on Bringing Bikes Back to Barbagallo
Posted on May 27, 2017 Tags: Barbagallo Raceway WA Sporting Car Club
WA Sporting Car Club Joint Media Release
How We Plan to Return Motorcycle Activity
In 2016, the Department of Sport & Recreation (DSR) commissioned Mr Chris Hall to conduct a safety audit on Barbagallo Raceway. In his report Mr Hall identified areas of risk, concluding that motorcycle race activity at the Raceway presented an unacceptable risk.
WASCC, who own and operate Barbagallo Raceway, have engaged Mr Hall to provide advice as to how the risks he identified could best be mitigated for motorcycle activity to return. Following the provision of this advice, a meeting of major stakeholders (including Minister for Sport & Recreation, DSR, City of Wanneroo, Motorcycling WA, Motorcycling Australia and various other motorcycle representatives) was conducted to present the outline plan.
Outline Plan Agreed in Principle
Safety was the paramount concern of all stakeholders gathered, and provided the overarching theme for discussions. Following discussion and clarification of aspects of the plan, the meeting agreed in principle that it represented a sensible road map to a phased return of activity. The plan provided for three phases:
1. Managed solutions including temporary chicanes to control speed in critical areas so that LAMS, road safety and basic motorcycle craft can be taught in a controlled environment.
2. More rigorous managed solutions involving identifying where the use of strategically placed air fences could be deployed so that advanced rider training and restricted free practice may occur.
3. Identifying works, including track and barrier re-alignment, especially in the critical area at Turn 3 so that unrestricted practice and race activity can return.
Racing unlikely in 2017
Given the collective goodwill of the meeting, it was agreed a return to basic and advanced training activities can be measured in months. Given the nature of works required, a return to race activity was not envisaged this year, but will likely return in 2018.
The next phase of this process is for WASCC to lead in the engagement of a consultant to take the current concepts through to detailed designs, so that both the managed and capital solutions identified can be implemented.
WASCC thanks all stakeholders involved for the spirit of cooperation that has enabled this difficult process to progress to a stage where solutions have been identified, agreed in principle and readied for progress to the next stage.
Contact:
Andrew Stachewicz WA Sporting Car Club 9306 8022 andrew@wascc.asn.au
Leave a Reply