Cameron Hill has described the new-look One Raceway in Goulburn as “unreal” after becoming the first race driver to sample the circuit yesterday.
Matt Stone Racing Supercars star Hill was the first circuit racer to be invited to sample the new track, alongside two-time world superbike champion Troy Corser on a motorbike.
Established in 1993 and formerly known as Wakefield Park Raceway, the 2.2km circuit became embroiled in a political battle for survival.
After closing in August 2022, new owner Steve Shelley has brought new life to the venue, featuring newly profiled banked corners at the east and west ends of the track.
The circuit also has a brand-new, modern pit complex and administration facilities.
The new layout has also been designed to allow the track to run in both directions, offering users different configurations.
It’s the only permanent motor racing circuit in Australia that features this multi-directional option.
Hill is no stranger to the circuit, located just a few kilometres from Goulburn, NSW.
The Canberran has raced and won at the venue, clinching the Australia Formula Ford Series there in 2015.
Hill was the first driver to soak in laps of the new layout yesterday, driving one of his race team’s current-spec 911 GT3 Cup type 992 Porsche.
The circuit is almost complete, with some earth moving, landscaping and ripple strips to be added in the coming months before the first official race event in its new guise – the penultimate round of the Australian Superbike Championship on October 4-6.
Cameron Hill will return to his MSR Chevrolet Camaro for Round 8 of the Repco Supercars Championship at Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania next week.
QUOTES
Cameron Hill
Supercars driver
“It's just incredible the work that has been done by Steve and his team here at One Raceway,” said Hill.
“It was such a shame when we lost this track. But it’s back and it's really unreal. I can't wait to sort of see the full finished product.
“There's a whole range of work that's gone down here. In some parts, it still looks like the old Wakefield Park, but there's so much work that's happened. The pit facilities have been completely transformed. All the surroundings have been given a huge facelift – there's been so much work done – obviously, to combat some of the issues that they've faced in the past.
“The track surface is all brand-new, and it's that nice, grippy tarmac that we all love.
“The last corner, I think it would get a lot of people's attention as well. There's some serious banking on it.
“And it’s a great initiative that the track actually runs the opposite direction also. This will really give drivers, teams and spectators a totally different experience each time they come here.
“For a professional driver, ONE Raceway is at a high standard, and great that it’s pretty close to my home town, but I'm just as interested in our amateur drivers, or drive days, or ride day type people too. It's really going to suit the way they go about their motorsport. I think this track is definitely going to cater to everyone from high-level and state and national level events, all the way down to your track day enthusiast – both cars and bikes.
“It was very nice of Andrew to loan me the keys to his GT3 Cup car. Obviously, it reminds me of when I raced in Carrera Cup, and around here, it certainly grabbed my attention.
“The corners are coming up really quick. You know, you really have to sort of hustle the car, and, yeah, it was quite enjoyable.”
