Protect the Right to Motorsport: Why Australia Needs “Right to Race” Laws

Motorsport isn’t just a hobby. It’s a powerful driver of community, economy, innovation, and passion. Yet across Australia, we see the same frustrating pattern repeat: a motorsport venue is built, residential development creeps closer, complaints rise, and the venue is forced to restrict operations or close altogether.

This “build-complain-shut down” cycle has eroded countless venues across the country. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

A Powerful Example: North Carolina’s “Right to Race” Law

In 2025, the U.S. state of North Carolina made a groundbreaking move. Lawmakers passed House Bill 926, better known as the “Protect the Right to Race” law.

This legislation shields motorsport venues from nuisance complaints brought by people who knowingly move in near established tracks. Under this law:

• Venues legally established before new residential developments are protected from lawsuits over noise and similar complaints.

• Protection extends up to a three-mile radius around the facility.

• Tracks must have been properly permitted, ensuring legitimate venues are protected.

• The law recognizes motorsport’s economic impact — worth US $3.82 billion annually to the state’s economy.

In short, North Carolina stood up and said: if the track was here first, it deserves to stay.

The Problem Here at Home

In Australia, the story too often ends differently. A track opens in a rural or industrial area, far from homes. Years later, residential developments are approved nearby. New residents move in, lodge noise complaints, and pressure grows on the track to limit operations.

Examples aren’t hard to find:

• Historic tracks like Rowley Park Speedway were eventually forced to close.

• Other venues have faced restrictive curfews, noise caps, or community campaigns against them.

Despite being there first, motorsport venues are often left legally vulnerable. The system favors new residential developments rather than preserving long-standing sporting and cultural assets.

Why Australia Needs Its Own “Right to Race” Law

A strong legislative framework could protect existing motorsport venues from being slowly strangled by encroaching developments. Here’s why it matters:

• Certainty for operators: Tracks can invest confidently without fear of being shut down by future complaints.

• Encouragement for new facilities: Reducing legal risk encourages development of new venues for grassroots and professional motorsport.

• Economic and tourism benefits: Motorsport brings jobs, events, and tourism dollars into local communities.

• Fairness: Residents who move in near existing venues would have fewer grounds for nuisance complaints.

• Community safety: Legal, controlled venues reduce dangerous street racing.

Building a Fair and Balanced Framework

A “Right to Motorsport” law wouldn’t give venues unlimited power. It would be carefully designed to balance community and motorsport interests. For example:

• Only legally established venues would qualify for protection.

• A defined radius around tracks would limit complaint rights for new developments.

• Venues would still be required to implement noise mitigation and comply with safety standards.

• Developers would be required to notify buyers when building near motorsport venues.

• Disputes would prioritize who was there first — venue or resident.

Australia already has partial precedents. For example, New South Wales recently reformed its noise complaint rules for entertainment venues, prioritizing the established party. South Australia’s laws already exempt certain sporting events from being classed as a nuisance. But we need a dedicated national or state-level protection for motorsport.

A Call to Action

This isn’t just about noise. It’s about preserving culture, sport, community, and safe places for people who love cars, bikes, and racing.

North Carolina showed what’s possible when governments value motorsport. Australia can — and should — do the same.

If you believe motorsport deserves protection, support the push for “Right to Race” legislation here at home. Together, we can stop the cycle of closures and keep the roar of engines alive for generations to come.