The Softest Tread

SMSP Sustainability

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Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct

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The Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct (AMIP) is a world-class motorsport-driven, innovation, technology, precision engineering and education precinct located trackside at Sydney Motorsport Park.

An initiative of The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club, the AMIP is a physically and technically connected High Performance Technology and Motorsport (HPTM) cluster where future thinking organisations, engineers & developers, universities and research institutions will collaborate with entrepreneurs, business start-ups and incubators.

We will focus on several key areas including race and team development, precision engineering & technology, mobility studies, race and industry education and skills development, sustainability including new power sources such as solar, electric and hydrogen, motorsport safety, as well as allied industry business development.

It’s a place with purpose underpinned by the strong and enduring vision of the ARDC, and is actively supported by the NSW Government infrastructure investment planning as a noted inclusion within the 2022-released “Masterplan for the Eastern Creek Motor Sports Precinct”.

LED Lighting Replacement

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In 2018, the ARDC replaced every antiquated bulb and fluorescent light tube on the premises with LED lights.

Partnering with Aqualuma, the ARDC replaced external lighting on the SMSP Circuits such as pit lane and the Grandstand; every interior light of the North paddock building; the ARDC Administration Office, and the Medical Centre.

The removed bulbs and tubes were then recycled; 199 kilograms of fluorescent lighting tubes, and 58kg of traditional globes and lamp lights were turned over, earning the ARDC  official recognition of this initiative with a Certificate of Recycling Excellence.

The National Carbon Bank of Australia then awarded a $53,000 rebate once work was completed.

Tree planting

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Since 2016, the Club has undertaken an extensive tree-planting exercise around SMSP to soften the appearance of venue, provide shade, reduce our carbon footprint, and make another contribution to sustainability.

Over 300 young and partly-matured trees have been planted around the venue. The trees are all native to the area, and have been selected for their low fall rates and evergreen, leafy canopies.

Digitising internal workflow processes

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Digitising internal workflow processes is not only essential for our internal and customer-facing communications, but allows us to reduce paper waste and printing products and expenses.

In 2022, we automated our internal signage systems in the ARDC Offices, the on-site ARDC Garage Cafe, and within our 10 corporate suites.

In addition to the ecological benefits, digitising internal workflow processes can also improve customer satisfaction by providing up-to-date information and reducing wait times.

Our on-site Cafe has not only reduced printing of menus, but can change a menu on the fly for different events, corporate suites with separate menus, and if a product is sold out or unavailable.

We have also managed to reduce our e-waste. By partnering with recyclable companies such as Closed Loop at the end of the product life cycle, we can further reduce our environmental impact.

Financial Investment

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We are constantly evolving and upgrading our systems, processes, policies and purchasing to improve our footprint, be responsible and accountable, and make our business and Motorsport itself as sustainable as possible.

Approximately $300,000 was invested by the Club from 2016 – 2019 in infrastructure and green solutions (with a $53,000 rebate from one project). This included the installation of solar panels on the main Pit Building, the planting of 300+ trees around the facility, and the replacement of old, inefficient lighting around the venue with LED.

This was stepped up in 2020 with the new partnership with PMY, with $4 million invested in LED screens around the venue to drastically reduce need for single-use scrim, posters and other semi-permanent signage.

The ARDC has also invested money in solar panels and EV chargers, and was one of the first businesses outside of the Sydney metro to feature dedicated TESLA chargers after their introduction to Australia.

In the past financial year alone (2021 – 2022) the ARDC has donated over $130,000 in track time to various charities, local institutions and advancement programs.

Our Learner Driver initiative NIGHTDRIVE, which has run since 2016, has seen over 2000 young drivers take to the track to experience driving at night in safety, with a donated track tome of approximately $340,000 in track time alone. Our partners Driving Solutions has invested thousands of hours to run the event, as has the NSW Highway Command, in making this event such a success for the community.

The softest tread.