Considered the benchmark report for sustainability in global motor sport, the Sustainable Circuits Index (SCI) ranks race tracks (even temporary ones) based on 21 criteria that includes environmental, social and governance pillars.
For the second consecutive year, the SCI report has named Italy’s Mugello as the world’s most sustainable track, selected from 96 circuits, with just 24 recognised with ISO certifications.
The only local track to meet the stringent criteria – Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP). The Australian Racing Driver’s Club (ARDC) run circuit, situated at Eastern Creek in Sydney’s West, headed a list of tested tracks that included Wanneroo, and Hidden Valley.
Morgan Park, Mount Panorama, Phillip Island, Queensland Raceway, Sandown Raceway, Shell V-Power Motorsport Park (The Bend), Symmons Plains, Winton and the Albert Park F1 circuit were also assessed.
Its achievement in the SCI rankings is just part of the story when it comes to SMSP though, and working alongside recycling experts Closed Loop, Sydney’s premier race facility has implemented a raft of changes to make it’s sustainability vision a reality.
That includes preparing to apply for FIA 2-star accreditation. Motor sport’s global governing body has a three-tiered sustainability measure (1-star being the lowest and 3-star the highest), that recognises circuits for their environmental initiatives.
Exhaust Notes Australia sat down with the ARDC’s chief marketing officer Peter Larum to discuss just what the circuit is doing to be the Oceanic leader in protecting the environment, and how it’s working with the local community to achieve real change.
“Motor sport is a very strange bed fellow to sustainability… but this is not a nice to do, it’s a must do,” he said. With the ARDC tagging environmental protection as one of its key board initiatives, alongside social change and economic benefits, that recognition is key.
Recognising that not everyone has the answers, Larum highlighted the need to maintain focus on every step required to achieve outcomes. “This is an enduro, not a sprint, and there’s certainly no chequered flag, you keep on going.”
The ARDC’s journey in social impact and sustainability began during COVID in 2021, and has since grown to supporting universities in events like the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, providing access to the track for testing.
That’s alongside its financial and in-kind support for ride days, a local cycling club, school cross countries, and other community events. Itself a not-for-profit organisation, the ARDC has also partnered with ticketing agency Humanitix.
The latter donates its profits to education programs across Australia, supporting disadvantaged children. Further, it has invested the bulk of its own profits in both the SMSP venue, and motor sport in general.
“Sustainability has to be sustainable, otherwise you’ve just got great ideas and you can’t implement them,” Larum said. The addition of circuit lighting, which was partially funded by the NSW Government is one such example.
The infrastructure enhancement to the circuit means it can now have more race meetings, with the Sydney Supernight Supercars event showcasing just how big a difference this one improvement has made – but it’s the flipside of that addition that enhances sustainability.
“It’s about jobs, skills, training and innovation,” he added. “That allowed us to say yes to innovation companies; people saying ‘we want to do a mobility study – trackless trams, driverless cars, different types of studies, we just need to get out on track’.”
The lights have generated a new revenue stream too, with more track time able to be offered to paying customers. Innovation to come out of the change has included the removal of physical signage from the circuit, replaced with LED screens.
This reduces costs for event partners and promoters, who no longer have to pay for signage changes. The partnership with Closed Loop goes further, with a full review of packaging and waste, including suppliers and caterers.
From there, the company was able to help SMSP and the ARDC innovate its waste management, and significantly improved landfill diversion. The transition has even including walls made from recycled coffee cups, and repurposing cooking oil into biofuel.
Solar food trucks and food donation have helped further improved waste management, while the track has also has more than 190 solar panels to save on energy costs. In excess of 1,000 race tyres and more than 10,000-litres of motor oil are also recycled annually.
Water from the circuit’s driver training skidpan is also repurposed, with dams located within the track precinct utilised to hold and reticulate rain. Two 350kW charging stations provide support for EV owners as well. It’s all in aid of improving the track’s footprint and SCI rank.
“Sustainability is one of those things you don’t want to put your arms around and not tell anyone, you can’t keep it a secret,” Larum said, with the track partnering with organisations and events like Supercars and World Time Attack to help facilitate change.
Working with SCI creator Enovation Consulting, the ARDC and SMSP have commenced the process of applying for 2-star FIA Sustainability accreditation, a process that assesses everything from noise and air quality at the track, to pollution and improvement measures.
“We want to present Sydney Motorsport Park as not only a living laboratory for innovation, digital tech and engineering, but also as a living laboratory for sustainability practices in motor sport at a circuit level,” Larum said. “I think that’s where we see our role.”
