The Newcastle Street Circuit was a temporary street circuit around the east end of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The circuit hosted the Newcastle 500 round of the Supercars Championship in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023 with the 2020, 2021 and 2022 events cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The 14-turn, 2.641 km (1.641 mi) circuit takes in Newcastle Beach and the foreshore around Nobbys Beach Reserve.[2] The Newcastle 500 was last held, with the council deciding not support the event and voting to remove the permanent sections of racetrack.[3]
Circuit
Layout
The circuit began on Wharf Road, heading southwest towards the city. It then turned left at Watt Street, crossing over the Newcastle Light Rail tracks before ascending a 1:22 hill up Watt Street, before again turning left onto Shortland Esplanade 500 m (550 yd) after turn one.[4] Once on Shortland Esplanade, the circuit snaked down the beachside road before reaching a 90° left turn at Zaara Street. This was followed by a 90° right turn onto Scott Street and another 90° left turn onto Parnell Place to the fastest stretch of circuit, Nobbys Road down past Fort Scratchley followed by a left-handed hairpin bend in the Camp Shortland carpark. From there a right-hand turn onto Wharf Road completed the lap.
The originally proposed layout featured a section through Pacific Park and a differently-profiled permanent course in Camp Shortland.[5][6] In 2019, the Camp Shortland hairpin bend was altered to improve overtaking. The corner apex moved to where the outside track limit point was initially situated and the corner radius was tightened, giving drivers a longer and deeper braking zone to complete passes.[7]
Construction
Works to prepare the precinct for racing began in July 2017, four months before the first event was held.[8] Significant civil works were undertaken in Foreshore Park to create a pit area, as well as in Camp Shortland and on Nobbys' Road to make the streets suitable for racing. Additional works were undertaken to replace local water and electrical infrastructure, with some services close to a century old.[9]
Two permanent roundabouts were removed to create the circuit, and were reinstalled when the track was decommissioned in 2024.[10]
Criticism
The circuit attracted criticism from residents within the precinct, mainly citing concerns about noise and a lack of access.[11] Some residents took an extremist view of the event, claiming it would encourage hoon behaviour and comparing themselves to victims of persecution.[12] In March 2017, ahead of civil works to prepare the streets for racing, residents staged a protest resulting in clashes with motorsport fans.[13]
Lap records
The fastest official race lap records at Newcastle Street Circuit are listed as:[14]
