WA Sporting Car Club and Motorcycling WA sign MoU for Barbagallo Raceway upgrades

MOTORCYCLE racing could return to Barbagallo Raceway next year following an agreement between two motorsport organisations.

Motorcycling WA and the WA Sporting Car Club have entered an agreement to address issues at Barbagallo Raceway following the return of recreational motorcycle activities in September.

The memorandum of understanding, signed by club president Russell Sewell and Motorcycling WA president Tracy Simpson, aims to address works required to the circuit so that motorcycle racing can resume at the Neerabup track.

It pledged the organisations would cooperate in a spirit of mutual understanding and develop a closer relationship.

A statement from the club said within weeks of the MOU being suggested, their commitment to work together resulted in a solution for the return of motorcycle racing.

After Motorcycling WA presented a concept design, the club’s consultant engineer, Steve Brake of Calibre Consultants, prepared technical and works drawings that meet the requirements of Motorcycle Australia’s Track Guidelines 2018 as well as the run-off calculations as indicated in Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ Hall Report.

Motorcycling Australia have provided written confirmation that, pending successful completion of the works and a subsequent inspection, it would issue Barbagallo Raceway an appropriate licence.

The club is reviewing the scope of works and costs with a view to dove-tailing the works into its programmed major works schedule in January, which includes re-surfacing the raceway.

The Motorcycle Racing Club WA and WA Sporting Car Club have agreed dates for the motorcycle racing and other activities calendar for 2019, informing members of the motorcycle club at a meeting last night.

“This is an exciting development for the sport of motorcycle racing in WA following the unfortunate, extended absence from Barbagallo raceway,” Mr Sewell said.

“The new spirit of cooperation between the two main bodies representing tarmac based motorsports in WA has been fruitful at both the executive and management levels.”

Ms Simpson welcomed the agreement between the two bodies and noted that it was an important step towards getting motorcycle racing back at Barbagallo Raceway.

She said it had been a focus for MWA and chief executive Joe McCarthy to work with all parties to enable racing to resume at the track and they were thrilled a detailed plan had been provisionally approved for 2019.