25 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, a sleeping giant is beginning to awaken.
Calder Park Raceway has not held a Motorsport Australia-sanctioned circuit race in more than fifteen years. But that changed this weekend when the Victorian State Race Series returned to the 2.2km track.
This was also my first trip out to Calder Park, having only driven past on the highway, gawking at the enormous Thunderdome. The track’s location is super-convenient for Melburnians, but it’s also close to Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.
The place looks to have had some work put into it recently. Freshly painted paddock buildings and walls, typically in Bob Jane T-Marts yellow, and nice mowed grass on the infield.
New kerbs have been laid at the fast turn four-five chicane, tightening the corner and forcing drivers to slow down into turn 6. It also means some of the cars are mounting the kerb and spectacularly launching over them on two wheels.
Some excavation of the enormous grassy mound has been done to extend the run off area at turn six. Tyre bundles are in place, and some are even belted.
Despite all these changes, Calder does still does have reminders of a different time. The old billboards for “Bob Jane Telecommunications”. The NASCAR speedway that is slowly being returned to nature. The stacks of old tyres and weathered cars behind the mound, including what looks like an old stock car body.
The chapel at the entry gates also deserves a mention. Formerly of Northcote but moved in 1998, it’s filled with motor racing symbolism, including gorgeous stained glass windows.
The track’s most notable feature is the colloquially termed “Mount Jane”, named after former track owner and ATCC champion Bob Jane. It’s an artificial hill that rises from the exit of the first chicane, before cars top the crest and suddenly fall back down on the run towards turn 4. It’s strange and not something you see on many other tracks.
One of Calder Park’s great advantages is its spectator friendliness. Beyond the unbelievable $5 entry fee, the track is surrounded by spectator mounds, from which you can see just about everything.
Only one section on the front straight was open on the day, and you definitely feel the full force of the wind when the weather isn’t kind. An abundance of bucket seats are available too if you forgot a picnic rug. This section is still well maintained, as it has hosted drag racing for many years while the circuit remained inactive.
Just over the hill towards Melbourne is the edge of the ever growing suburban fringe. Is it something that’ll be an obstacle in the future, like it is at Sandown in the south east? The nearest homes are only 500 metres from turn 1 already. But the constant planes overhead from Tullamarine suggest that there might be bigger fish to fry when it comes to noise.
It seems this place has a renewed future as a grassroots motorsport venue. This weekend, the drivers in categories like Hyundai Excels, BMW E30s, Improved Production and Saloon Cars are relishing the opportunity to take on the reborn track.
They put on a good show. Slipstreaming down the 1km straight, barely hanging on through the last corner, and outbreaking a rival into turn six across from the spectators was common across all categories.
A highlight of the day was the race-long Formula Vee battle between Lee Partridge and Reef McCarthy, finally resolved on the final lap in favour of Partridge.
Beyond the State Race Series, the Victorian Motor Racing Championships have welcomed back Calder Park with open arms. They returned to the track in August, and have since scheduled no less than three visits in 2024. The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series also makes a triumphant return in December.
Sandown’s days are numbered and even then, it’s only limited to five events a year. Phillip Island is under noise restrictions and with a higher price tag for track rental. Winton is two and a half hours from the city.
The potential of this circuit has been realised once more, and Calder Park is now much better placed to fill a gap and be Melbourne’s permanent motorsport venue.
All photos by author.
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