Barbagallo Raceway, also known as Wanneroo Raceway, is the only full-length championship racetrack in W.A, making it home to some of the most incredible first-class motor racing on Australia’s west coast.
Located in Wanneroo just north of Perth, Barbagallo Raceway has been operating continuously since 1969, exhilarating fans and drivers who can’t get enough of its tight corners and high octane straights. But it’s not just your professional racing heroes who can get down to Barbagallo and experience the power of the track for themselves. Racing fans love coming down for exciting events such as V8 race car drive and hot lap track days.
History of Barbagallo Raceway
The history of Barbagallo really begins in the early 20th century when the Western Australian Sporting Car Club (WASCC) was highly active hosting car racing events on public roads and at former RAAF airfield Caversham.
Car racing in Western Australia was centred around the track at Caversham until 1968 when the Department of the Army had to reclaim the land to return it for use as an air base.
The hunt was on to find a new home for motor racing in Perth, and soon a tract of land in Wanneroo was secured—with the State Government enthusiastically and officially changing the usage designation from land quarrying to motor racing. Planning of a new, exciting racetrack could begin.
Despite some saying it couldn’t be done, the Wanneroo location was designed, financed and almost completely built by March 1969. The hype for the opening of the new racing track was so electric that a soft opening was announced, attracting over 6,000 excited motor racing fans who turned up and overwhelmed ticket sellers who were trying to keep numbers to a minimum while facilities were still being brought up to scratch for a full capacity crowd.
‘Wanneroo Park’ thrived throughout the 1970s, hosting rounds of the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1973 and then from 1977 onwards.
From Wanneroo Raceway to Barbagallo Raceway
Despite Touring Car Racing at Wanneroo Raceway being one of the most distinguished car racing events in Australia during the 1970’s and 1980’s, upgrades to the circuit were minimal until 1992. In 1979, new pits and paddock facilities and a relocation of the start/finish line was complete, as well as a new control tower.
In 1992, the Club decided to increase the types of racing that could be held at the circuit, meaning that the construction of a short course was essential. They decided on a new circuit variant that would be ideal for the various WA championship races that could be held at the track.
Funding for the new 1.7km short course at Turn 5 primarily came from longtime sponsor Alf Babagallo, with the track being renamed to Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo in his honour.
V8 Supercars come to Barbagallo Raceway
Upgrades continued at Barbagallo Raceway throughout the 2000’s, including a complete track resurfacing in time for the 2019 V8 Supercar season!
While there had been V8 events at the track prior to this, 2019 was the first year to bring the V8 Supercars brand, and all the bells and whistles that comes with such a big ticket event. The racing fans of Perth were treated to 41 lighting towers and 5 floodlights to ramp up the atmosphere and impact of the track.
Today, fans can experience Barbagallo just like their racing heroes. Barbagallo is host to coaching, corporate track days and incredible V8 racing car driving and hot lap experiences.
Barbagallo Raceway Facts
- Barbagallo Raceway is a 2.4km circuit featuring 7 corners
- With 16 wins, Craig Lowndes has secured more victories in championship history at Barbagallo than any other professional driver. In fact, 15% of his 106 championship wins have been in W.A at the Barbagallo Raceway.
- However, with 8 poles, Jamie Whincup has the most in championship history at Barbagallo but has not scored a pole at the circuit since 2013.
- The closest ‘racing’ finish in Supercars at Barbagallo remains 0.1164 seconds between Perkins and John Bowe in Race 1 in 1997.
Where is Barbagallo Raceway?
Ready to see some incredible motor racing at Barbagallo Raceway? Whether you’re heading there as a spectator or for a V8 driving or hot lap experience at Barbagallo, getting there is easy.
If you’re coming from Perth, simply head north on the Mitchell Freeway, then turn right onto Burns Beach Road where you can follow this east crossing Wanneroo Road, continuing along Joondalup Drive for about 5 kms. There you will see the ‘Raceway’ signpost, which indicates that you turn left into Old Yanchep Road. Continue for approximately 8kms along Old Yanchep Road and then follow the signs turning left into Wattle Avenue. Simply continue to the end and you will find the entrance to Barbagallo Raceway.
Alternatively, head north along Wanneroo Road until you meet the crossroads intersection with Joondalup Drive. Turn right into Joondalup Drive and then continue as detailed above.
Be aware, except for the annual V8 Supercar race event, there isn’t public transport out to the circuit, so plan ahead as necessary.
No matter how you plan to get to Barbagallo Raceway, you can be sure to have an amazing day out enjoying the best in V8 racing action.
