Entering the 1990s, Sydney was about to the welcome a third motorsport venue joining Amaroo Park and Oran Park, but this one was aimed to bring international events to the harbour city.
Located within the industrial area of Western Sydney, Eastern Creek was developed to steal the 500cc Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from the newly renovated Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria.
Delays in completing the facility due to weather and debates over land ownership ensured its birth was going to be a difficult one.
In the Racing Car News from November, 1989 politicking was well underway between NSW and Victoria for the rights of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix due to the latter state’s hard line on tobacco advertising.
NSW Premier Nick Grenier had announced at the 1989 Sydney Motor Show the facility was to be completed ahead of the 1990 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which was scheduled for later in the season.
A proposed 4.2km circuit was positioned on State Government land and funded by private capital coming from a consortium including Sir Jack Brabham in addition to interestingly, Oran Park owner Tony Perich.
Interestingly, Eastern Creek was always envisioned to replace Oran Park as early as 1989 as the writing was on the wall. However, it wasn’t until 2009 the venue closed.
The planned layout is completely different to the current layout now apart from the long straight and fast opening corner. A mixture of sharp and flowing corners leads the track in a much more spread out configuration compared to the circuit it ended up being.
Promoter Bob Barnard was the reason for the move of the race north, with his Barnard Project Management concern aiming to build the circuit in six months. Barnard was previously behind Phillip Island’s rejuvenation as he blamed Victoria’s strict opposition to tobacco advertising and the lack of support from the State Government for the decision to move the race to Sydney.
Another event due to also race at Eastern Creek was the FIA World Sports Cars, which didn’t in the end although testing was completed by Toyota in 1991.
Of course, the circuit was not ready for the 1990 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix where Wayne Gardner again won a classic at Phillip Island.
The very first event at Eastern Creek was the Nissan Sydney 500 in November, 1990 before the bikes finally arrived a year later.