There was some big news emerging from the latest Repco Supercars Championship weekend in Darwin as Tickford Racing announced a Wildcard effort and the Perth street race plans were formally confirmed.
First, Tickford Racing Super2 driver Lochie Dalton will make his Repco Supercars Championship debut after the squad announced his Wildcard appearance at the Sydney SuperNight.
A runner up in last year’s National Trans Am Series title and a regular top 10 finisher in Super2 for Brad Jones Racing also in 2023, Dalton joined Tickford Racing’s expanded three-car line-up this season.
Sitting eighth in the Super2 standings currently, Dalton is thrilled to be joining the Supercars field in Sydney.
“I am over the moon to be making my Supercars main game debut at Sydney, it is a dream come true for myself, my family and my supporters [and] partners,” said Dalton.
“I can’t wait to see where I rank against the best in Australia and what lessons I take away to come back and be better [in Super2].
“It will also be great to have a Tasmanian back on the Supercars stage.”
Co-Team Owner Rod Nash lauded Dalton as Tickford Racing continues to progress young drivers into the Repco Supercars Championship.
“We have always been a team that has blooded drivers and been able to elevate them on a consistent basis,” said Nash.
“We’ve shown we’re a team that has a repeat level of success and now as a focused two car main game operation, we haven’t lost sight of our development. We’ve actually placed a larger lens on this, with three cars running this year in Super2.”
Now to Perth where the West Australian State Government has confirmed its support of a new street race in the capital city earmarked for 2026.
To be situated around Burswood Park, the new circuit will replicate the same styles as Townsville and Gold Coast. Upgrades will be done to roads in the Burswood area as a 10-day festival has been confirmed to run alongside the Supercars event in Perth and Kwinana.
Upgrades to Burswood Park are also expected through the construction of permanent grandstands and the creation of a motorsport facility to be available all year round for local enthusiasts.
“Living in Kwinana, I know how big our motorsports community is in WA,” Premier Roger Cook said in The West Australian.
“We’ve seen the success of street circuits over east, and Burswood Park would be the perfect place for a uniquely WA V8 event.
“I want Perth to be one of the major events capitals of the South East Asian region.
“Major events bring tens of thousands of visitors to our State, creating local jobs, supporting local business and helping our economy remain strong.”
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti met with Supercars officials in Melbourne during the Grand Prix to progress the concept.
“Imagine the noise, atmosphere and crowds as V8s fly around a new and specially designed race track in Burswood Park, just a stone’s throw from the city. It’ll be incredible,” Minister Saffioti said.
“The Supercars SuperSprint at Wanneroo has been a much-loved event on the annual tourism calendar for many years now, and this will no doubt take it to the next level.
“We know how passionate and enthusiastic motorsport fans are, and I know locally they’ve been wanting this to happen for some time — particularly when they’ve seen similar circuits built in other cities across the country.
“It’s really exciting to see this vision start to become a reality, and of course will have broader community benefits year-round with permanent grandstands and upgrades to the park.”
Supercars CEO Shane Howard is excited about the prospect of a new event on the calendar.
“Supercars is incredibly excited to receive news that a street circuit at Burswood Park is in the works for the future.
“The Perth street circuit event will be a spectacular addition to our Championship calendar, showcasing Western Australia to a huge national and international audience.
“I want to thank Premier Roger Cook and the West Australian Government for their unwavering support in helping create what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable event for Perth and Supercars.”