Drag racing in Western Australia commenced on November 30, 1969 at Ravenswood Raceway, 85 kilometres south of Perth. In 1994 the track management was advised that due to rezoning of adjacent land Ravenswood Raceway's lifespan was becoming limited. The Western Australian Government began searching for a new home for drag racing -- a task that was to prove a long and tedious process.

Claremont Speedway -- in the heart of the Perth metropolitan area -- held its first event on Friday, May 14, 1927! Over the next seven decades Claremont developed a proud history recognised world wide for producing world champions. In 1996 Claremont Speedway was advised that its lease at the RAS Showgrounds was to finish at the end of May 2000.

Ravenswood Raceway Managing Director, Gary Miocevich, and Claremont Speedway Managing Director, Con Migro, met and decided to work together with the Western Australian Government to find a joint home for the two dominant forms of motorsport in Western Australia.

On September 22, 1998 the WA Government announced that a world class motorsporting facility combining both drag racing and speedway was to be built at Kwinana, adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway, 35 km south of Perth's central business district.

The venue is currently undergoing a Public Environmental Report review process, but appears to be negotiating the process well. Over 4000 leaflets with questionnaires were distributed to local households, of which 3000 were returned, and of these only 168 expressed concerns. Noise was the biggest issue from among these, but a range of other issues were raised, including such factors as the impact of tyre smoke.

A Western Australia Government-initiated survey of local residents found 84 percent were aware of the proposed development, and 72 percent were supportive of it, a figure regarded as very high, especially considering the negative publicity the track has generated in some areas. Similar positive responses were experienced by those manning a display of drag racing vehicles and information at the local Kwinana Hub shopping centre.

The track is being designed along lines to meet all current NHRA construction and safety standards. Spectator capacity will be around 17,000 maximum, compared to the existing Ravenswood track's working maximum of around 10,000. Three thousand of the new track's patrons will be accomodated in individual seats, with 6500 on terraced lawns.

The final season at Ravenswood Raceway will be track's 30th, and there's a new anniversary logo to go with the occasion.

If you want to keep in touch with the development of the new Kwinana Motorplex, check out the new web site at www.motorplex.com.au which includes the latest developments on the track, including an animated 360 degree panorama of both speedway and drag strip.

This will complement the new Western Australia Division's website, with all the latest news on rules, regulations and other technical information. This new site is at www.cyberpower.com.au/andrawa and is maintained by the Western Australian Division.