ALMOST three years after motorcyclist Daniel Chadbund died after crashing his bike during a race at Barbagallo Raceway racing is due return to the track on Sunday, March 10.
After the 28-year-old’s death on April 30, 2016 there were calls for a safety upgrade to the track and the ABC reported that racing identity Wayne Gardner had said the raceway was unsafe.
In June 2016 Motorcycling Western Australia said an independent assessment would be carried out to determine what additional safety features were needed and how effective they were expected to be.
In November 2016 the day after a safety report commissioned by the Department of Sport and Recreation was given to the department another motorcyclist Chris Adley died at the raceway after falling from his bike and then being run over.
Mr Adley’s death led to the cancellation of all motorcycling activities at the raceway.
The report authored by Chris Hall from Hall Technical and released publicly on December 9, 2016 said the raceway had some non-compliant run offs, with high and extreme risk levels for motorcyclists.
In his report Mr Hall concluded the raceway’s current layout and barrier design meant the circuit was associated with a significant number of critical risk items that rendered it unsafe for motorcycle racing but also highlighted concerns about Turn 3 for car racing as well.
Mr Hall said Turn 3 was associated with a high level outcome for cars and an extreme level outcome for motorcycles.
“Run-off deficiencies for cars at Turn 1 (exit), Turn 5 and Turn 7 (exit) are associated with low level outcome risk,’’ he said.
“Run-off deficiencies for motorcycles at Turn 1 and Turn 5 are associated with high level outcome risk while deficiencies at Turn 6 and Turn 7 are associated with extreme level outcome risk.’’
He said there were other non-compliant items at the circuit, such as the type of kerbs installed and the track width, which were considered non-critical but should be upgraded.
“(But) non-compliant sections of poor transition from the track surface into the run-off areas should be immediately addressed through a more rigorous maintenance program.
“The planned barrier installation between the run-off zone for Turn 4 and the back straight (Turn 6 to Turn 7) should be given high priority.”
On Friday, March 1 the City of Wanneroo said Motorcycling Australia had relicensed the racetrack for all motorcycling activities.
Mayor Tracey Roberts said the relicensing followed remediation works carried out by the WA Sporting Car Club – the raceway operators – addressing all of the track configuration issues needed to meet the licensing requirements of Motorcycling Australia.
Cr Roberts welcomed the return of racing to Barbagallo after an almost two and a half year absence.
“I acknowledge the efforts of Motorcycling Australia, the Motor Cycle Racing Club of WA and the WA Sporting Car Club in working together to reach an outcome that benefits all motorcycling enthusiasts to access and use this fantastic facility,’’ she said.
“We have a very enthusiastic and close-knit racing community here in WA who have a loyal and supportive following.
“The City of Wanneroo and Minister Mick Murray have been working diligently with all stakeholders to ensure that this globally recognised sport returns to the City of Wanneroo for all to enjoy.’’
