On 28 February 2027, enthusiasts will gather at the historic northwest Sydney site to celebrate six decades since Amaroo Park opened – honouring its legendary racing history and unveiling the new Club Amaroo
On Sunday 28th February 2027, the former Sydney motor racing stronghold of Amaroo Park in northwest Sydney will celebrate sixty years since the opening of the famous road racing circuit that featured iconic events on two, three and four wheels, including the Castrol Six Hour Race.
The brainchild of the late Oscar Glaser, Amaroo Park initially housed a hill climb, go kart track and a motorcycle scrambles circuit. These were soon joined by a dirt Short Circuit, a modern-style motocross track, a speedway track (briefly) and in 1967, the 1.93km road racing track, with plans for an extension to what was to be called the 4km GP circuit. That extension did not bear fruit, but the other tracks thrived. A speedway track also existed for a short period. A natural elevated spectator area gave a panoramic view of the road racing track, as did the motocross track, which famously became the home of the Mr Motocross Series in 1974.
The very first meeting on the new road racing track, for motorcycles, took place on Sunday 26th February, 1967, with the first car meeting two weeks later on 12th March. The first actual race to be run was a 30-lap event for Production bikes, won by Larry Simons on a 650 BSA Spitfire Mk2. Larry will be a guest of honour next March, as will Len Atlee, who won the main Unlimited Feature event in 1967 on a Manx Norton.
Although the circuits have gone, the main complex and its buildings survive virtually intact and are today owned by Wayne de Marco, who has a passionate interest in continuing the site’s involvement in motoring heritage. A website www.amarooparkraceway.com is under development and will chart the history of Amaroo Park. Today the complex is home to a number of companies including Donington Auctions, and the private museum of over 100 motorcycles owned by Warwick Schuberg, who created the Stay Upright motorcycle learner training schools, which now have their workshops within the Amaroo Park complex. There is also a thriving café on site.
To mark the sixtieth anniversary, the complex will be open to host a gathering of enthusiasts from several generations, with entertainment, vehicle displays and interviews with former competitors – an initiative of the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation. A highlight of the day will be the official opening of the complete rejuvenation of one of several significant buildings on the site. Formerly a service centre specialising in Range Rover and similar vehicles, this building will commence a new life as a centre to service the needs of enthusiasts and a wide variety of clubs and organisations, to be known as Club Amaroo. This freshly renovated 1200 square metre building houses meeting rooms of various sizes, a reference library, Historic vehicle registration inspections, and memorabilia from the beginnings of Amaroo Park in the late 1950s. Amaroo Park is situated on Annangrove Road, Annangrove.
For information contact; communications@motorheritage.org.au
