Parramatta Speedway
Parramatta Speedway, which currently runs under the moniker Sydney Speedway, was opened in January 1977 by racecar driver Sid Hopping and his partner, Bert Wilder. For the first decade of its existence, the Parramatta Speedway — which has also been known as Granville Speedway, Parramatta City Raceway and as Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway — ran its race cards only on Friday nights, with the Modified Sprintcar division being the track’s major draw.
The partners eventually sold their interest in the 460-metre dirt and clay oval, and Parramatta Speedway would change ownership several times over the ensuing years before finally being bought by the International Speedway partnership in 2001.
International Speedway would continue running the track for the next nine years. During that time period, Parramatta Speedway would host a number of memorable events, including the Australian Super Sedan Championship in 2003 and the first Outlaws Downunder in 2004. The latter drew 15 of the best World of Outlaw drivers from the United States to compete against the locals, with legendary Steve Kinser — the King of the Outlaws — taking the win at the inaugural event.
In 2005, the second Outlaws Downunder race drew 24 Americans and 46 Australian Sprintcars. The track continues to be popular with American racing stars, like NASCAR’s Tony Stewart. Because the seasons are the reverse of America’s in Australia, its summer racing season occurs during the U.S.’s winter off-season.
In 2009, Parramatta City Raceway was sold once again, this time to four businessman and former racecar drivers, who would run the track under the name of Sydney Speedway. The new management, which has a lease on the Parramatta facility until 2021, is hoping to draw a new audience to the racetrack. It is marketing the track as a fun place to take the family and also as a place where young adults can enjoy a night out.
The Parramatta Speedway is located in Granville, which is a suburb in Parramatta, a western district of Sydney, Australia. Granville is approximately 14 miles or 22 kilometres from Sydney’s central business district. It can be reached by either automobile or by train.
In September of 2010, the speedway changed its name to Tyrepower Sydney Speedway. The track currently hosts races for Speedcars, Super Sedans, Late Models, Lightning Sprints, Compact Speedcars, Wingless Sprints, AMCA National cars, Street Stocks, Fender Benders, Junior Sedans, dirt bikes and, in the near future, Legends cars