Sydney Motorsport Park has installed the first of 132 new permanent light towers as part of a $NZ17.5million project.
This will make SMP the first permanent circuit in Australia with a permanent lighting system, with the ability to operate both day and night.
The light towers are part of a $NZ35million state government-backed upgrade for the Sydney venue.
The lighting system will provide a minimum of 800LUX on the main straight and 400LUX on other sections of the circuit.
Australian Racing Drivers’ Club CEO Glenn Matthews said the lighting allows for more events in the calendar for the venue.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is one of the busiest tracks not just in Australia, but in the world.
We enjoy an occupancy rate of around 96 per cent, and that was one of the reasons the [state] government was happy to support us in providing funding for the permanent lighting project.
“Lighting allows us to fit even more events into our calendar; not only enabling motorsport fans and enthusiasts, competitors and manufacturers more access to our world-class facility, but also opening doors for substantial opportunities to further grow the Western Sydney night economy.”
Supercars ran under temporary lights in 2018. The venue was left off the calendar in 2019 as part of plans to return once the permanent towers were fitted.
The Sydney SuperNight is due to take place on August 29-30, although the calendar is expected to experience a reshuffle due to the effects the pandemic.
Image: Sydney Motorsport Park