Racing Green at SMSP

SMSP Sustainability

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Sydney Motorsport Park racing towards a greener future

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▪ARDC welcomes motorsport industry stakeholders and thought-leaders to its first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable
▪Sydney Motorsport Park continues to lead the way as Australia’s #1 venue on the global Sustainable Circuits Index™
▪Supercars begins its own sustainability journey with a range of initiatives and programmes

Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars
Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars


March 1 , 2024: The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), has welcomed Australia’s motorsport industry to its first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable this week.
The roundtable, hosted at the recently-opened Australian Motorsport and Innovation Precinct (AMIP) along the main straight at SMSP, was attended by thought-leaders, delegates and ARDC board members, all coming to learn more about the positive steps Australia’s leading permanent motorsport circuit is taking towards greater sustainability at the venue, and to understand the shared objectives of Australia’s major motorsport entities.
Under the ARDC’s stewardship, SMSP continues to be ranked Australia’s number-one venue on the global Sustainable Circuits Index™ – a ranking it has maintained since the Index was first published in 2021. Like everything in motorsport, this achievement has been a team effort with industry stakeholders, partners, suppliers and venue hirers all contributing; a result that ratifies the ARDC Board and management’s strategic vision.
Providing attendees with an update on projects at SMSP the ARDC revealed that through significant improvements to EV charging infrastructure, new and existing partnerships with suppliers, and impressive landfill diversion results, 2023 was a year for sustainability at SMSP, with 2024 to continue that focus.
However, just as in motor racing, being in front comes with its own set of pressures and responsibilities; which is why the venue continues to look for new initiatives for SMSP and to encourage collaboration with all stakeholders.
Speaking at the roundtable, Supercars Chief Operating Officer, Tim Watsford, stressed the importance of motorsport playing its part in sustainability.
“We have begun our journey; we’re the biggest motorsport category in Australia and we want to get it right,” Mr. Watsford explained.
As a leading Australian sport and premiere motorsport category, Supercars is already taking several key steps to reduce its environmental impact, with its lower carbon bp E75 racing fuel, tyre recycling programme and a host of initiatives to address waste reduction, energy management, transport and water conservation.
ARDC CEO, Glenn Matthews, explained why the time was right to host the club’s first sustainability roundtable with industry colleagues:
“As a venue, Sydney Motorsport Park continues to lead the way in pushing for sustainable practises in everything it does, but we can’t do it alone. We rely on the support of our partners and collaborators to achieve the results we have in 2023,” Mr. Matthews said.
“Our first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable is a chance to share ideas and find new ways of working together. When the ARDC opened its AMIP facility in mid-2023, we did so with the promise that it would be a centre of excellence, and a home of progressive thinking for the motorsport industry – the discussions and shared insights from this week are just another example of the ARDC fulfilling that promise,” he continued.

Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK
Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK, live Zoom

ARDC Sustainability Workshop in Focus: The Speakers
Speaking at the Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable is a panel of leaders from all sides of the industry, covering topics that speak to addressing the future of motorsport with a greener, more sustainable approach.

Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK
Illuminating the latest sustainability trends in motorsport, decorated engineer, FIA consultant and former commission member, Cristiana Pace, discussed the Sustainable Motorsport Index™, citing case studies from the UK’s Silverstone Circuit, and SMSP’s progress in obtaining FIA 2-Star Accreditation.

Joe Costanzo – CTO, PMY Group
As a major partner of the ARDC and SMSP, global tech giant, PMY Group’s Joe Costanzo’s discussion at the roundtable focused on how increased technology uptake has positive implications for sustainability – using SMSP as proof-positive of this insight.

Prof. Richard Hopkins – University of NSW, Walkinshaw Andretti United
Former Red Bull F1 COO, Sunswift Solar Racing Team Principal and inaugural AMIP ambassador, Professor Richard Hopkins, shared insights on creating a sustainable formula, developed over a career living in the pits, and the winners’ circle, of elite motor racing.


Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars
As Chief Operating Officer of Australia’s premier racing category and event series, Supercars’ Tim Watsford spoke with attendees on how the sport is addressing its responsibilities towards a greener future, and what are some of the key areas of
attention that the category is focusing on right now, as new technologies come to the fore.

Robert Pascoe – CEO, Closed Loop Environmental Solutions
A significant contributor to SMSP’s continued efforts toward increased venue and operations sustainability is through its partnership with Closed Loop. At the roundtable, Closed Loop CEO Robert Pascoe delved into the organisation’s own approach to the circular economy.

Tan Nguyen – Sustainability Manager, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club Providing an insight to the ARDC’s own journey, Sustainability Manager, Tan Nguyen, gave guests an update on the club’s activities and sustainability projects at SMSP, along with highlighting the achievements over the past decade.

Glenn Matthews – CEO, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club
The ARDC’s CEO, Glenn Matthews, concluded the roundtable and thanked the speakers, while at the same time stoked further discussion and debate about maintaining a sustainable mindset, which all speakers agreed must permeate motorsport at all levels for future success.
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For more information or to request an interview with ARDC CEO, Mr, Glenn Matthews, or the Sustainability Roundtable guest speakers, please contact:
Peter Larum
Chief Marketing Officer
ARDC/Sydney Motorsport Park
E: [email protected]
M: +61 419 732 029
Kurt McGuiness
Founder
PRIMAL Storytelling
E: [email protected]
M: +61 413 135 334
Link: http://sustainability.smsp.com.au

Humanitix hits $4m in donations!

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In February 2022, the ARDC began a partnership with a new Australian ticketing platform, Humanitix.

A not-for-profit organisation, Humanitix puts all profits from booking fees towards helping disadvantaged kids locally and around the world.

Humanitix has now donated FOUR MILLION DOLLARS from booking fees into helping disadvantaged kids in Australia and around the world. 

From February 2022 to December 2023, the ARDC has contributed $29,558 from its own booking fees to its selected Humanitix charities.

This ticketing solution also enables us to continue our policy of removing printout and paper tickets with QR coded gate entry and pay-by-kiosk at the entry gate.

Learn more

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club

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Established in 1952, the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) is both steeped in tradition and is focused on progression.

Powering Sydney Motorsport Park since 1996, the ARDC is a for-purpose, not-for-profit club, and the largest independent Motorsport Club in Australia.

In the past decade alone, the ARDC, alongside the NSW Government and key partner organisations has invested over $52.5M in track extensions, major facility upgrades, permanent night track lighting, camera networks, LED digital screens and smart technology. Of this investment, the ARDC has contributed over 40% of this significant funding, and continues to invest over $1m per annum back into the venue.

The ARDC would not continue to thrive without its valued Members. The near 4000-strong Membership base, some of whom have held membership for as long as 70 years in 2022, contribute not only financially to the Club and sustain its existence, but also to the passion and progression of our sport.

In addition, the ARDC has a large Volunteer/Official Membership segment, with dedicated men and women offering up their time, paid and unpaid, to attend race meetings at various positions at the track. In return, the ARDC offers training from beginner officials through to positions at the track and beyond, with some officials taking up careers in motorsport in Australia and overseas at events like the Formula 1 Championship.

Volunteer Officials and paid Officials are also often involved after their retirement or semi-retirement, which provides life after work and healthy social and physical outlets. The ARDC also strives for equal opportunity, providing the same opportunities and mentoring for individuals with a disability.

The ARDC holds social events both at race meetings and significant occasions such as Christmas to build the sense of community and show our appreciation for their efforts.

Humanitix

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In February 2022, the ARDC began a partnership with a new Australian ticketing platform, Humanitix.

A not-for-profit organisation, Humanitix puts all profits from booking fees towards helping disadvantaged kids locally and around the world.

Humanitix has so far transformed over $1M from booking fees into helping disadvantaged kids in Australia and around the world. 

From February 2022 to October 2024, the ARDC has contributed more than $30,000 from its own booking fees to its selected Humanitix charities.

This ticketing solution also enables us to continue our policy of removing printout and paper tickets, with QR coded gate entry and pay-by-kiosk at the entry gate.

Learn more

PARTNER CHARITIES:

Yalari students

Yalari

Yalari provides Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities across Australia the opportunity to receive a full boarding school scholarship for their entire secondary education.

Room to Read students

Room to Read

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

Manaiakalani students

Manaiakalani Education Trust

Manaiakalani supports Māori, Pasifika and disadvantaged learners in Aotearoa New Zealand to increase student outcomes and get equal access to digital education.

Code.org student

Code.org

Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups.

GEMA Catering Partner

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SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK’S NEW MENU FOR SUCCESS WITH GEMA GROUP PARTNERSHIP.

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) has partnered with leading hospitality and major event caterer (GEMA GROUP) on a new multi-year agreement covering all corporate hospitality and retail catering at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP).

The agreement, beginning July 2023, sees GEMA further expand their position as the premier provider of hospitality and catering across Australian motorsport, adding full-time SMSP operations to their coverage of the Formula 1, MotoGP, and Australia-wide Supercars Championships, as well as multiple services at national and international major events, other high-profile venues and leading sporting stadia across the country.

Together, GEMA and the ARDC, along with their other key stakeholders, aim to significantly raise the stakes on the range of foods available, as well as introducing some well-known brands to the circuit. Venue infrastructure will see a significant upgrade, and the integration with new technologies will help streamline the service offering from “plate to paddock”.

ABOUT GEMA

The Gema Group was founded in 1984 by the Valenti family and has grown into a sizable catering company with over 40 active catering contracts and sites. Gema Group has over 450 years of combined senior management catering experience and expertise at our fingertips. We pride ourselves on our committed and collaborative approach with our clients and partners in delivering some of Australia’s most memorable catering.

Gema Group began as a humble Australian owned family business back in 1984 and has grown into one of Australia’s leading event catering partners specialling in greenfield site sporting events and stadiums.   With dedication and strength at its core, Gema Group has been delivering amazing event experiences for almost 40 years.

Gema Group understands the importance of a quality catering partner who believes in a shared vision and are excited to bring their interpretation of a great food and beverage experience to SMSP.

Sustainability at the Park

For composting, most of their packaging is bio-degradable or compostable and managed by Closed Loop as part of their waste management services, while organic waste is collected for compost, and waste oil is collected weekly and turned into biofuel.

Where possible, they will also be transitioning our packaging products to recyclable and upcycled Closed Loop products.

Racing Green.