Final phase of Newcastle street circuit build to begin

The final construction phase of the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 street circuit will begin on Monday.

Supercars has confirmed that significant cilvil and capital works to improve infrastructure at the venue has been completed allowing for the final stages of the 2.6km, 11 turn circuit build to begin.

The circuit, which will host Supercars’ season finale from November 24-26, will take six weeks to construct and approximately three weeks to take down.

It commences in the non-residential and business areas with the installation of the main pit complex, grandstands and merchandise areas, mostly in and around Foreshore Park and Camp Shortland.

Supercars announced in September that an extra 336 seat grandstand at Camp Shortland will be added to its circuit build plan.

The last piece of the installation is the barriers and catch fencing in the main residential and business areas, with full access maintained until 7am on the first day of the event, Friday November 24.

Triple Eight’s Craig Lowndes and three-time Bathurst 1000 winner Dick Johnson will inspect the facility in its current state alongside Supercars CEO James Warburton.

“With significant civil and capital works required, it has been a massive project from which the city will have a permanent legacy for decades to come,” said Warburton.

“It has certainly been the biggest project we have undertaken and has seen some century old infrastructure now fully restored or replaced.

“All the major civil or capital works associated with the track have been done this year so in future years any disruption will be minimal.

“Having done this for almost 30 years our engineers iEDM are experts at ensuring the least inconvenience while the racing circuit is being installed and over the course of the weekend.”

The circuit will be opened to residents and business at 7pm each night and full access to all roads will be reinstated on Monday November 27 while the infrastructure is removed.

“Residents and business will be able to come and go from their properties around the clock during the three days of the event,” said Coates Hire Newcastle 500 Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski.

“Vehicle access will be opened each evening for residents and businesses who have all been sent detailed information on exactly how the circuit build will be managed and accessed in this period.”