Famous for electrifying speeds and record breaking lap times, Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin is one of the most popular race tracks in Australia.
Located within the larger Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex, the 2.87 km Hidden Valley Raceway circuit features 14 exhilarating corners and a 1.1km straight, designed to hit max speed in minimum time.
As well as exhilarating Supercar V8 action on the circuit, motor racing enthusiasts can come down to Hidden Valley to enjoy the 1km drag racing track, speedway circuits, motocross tracks and even a go-karting circuit!
However, the highlight of the Hidden Valley Calendar is the annual round of the International V8 Supercars Championship which takes place each June or July to align with the ‘Dry Season’. The circuit is renowned for unexpected results, with many upsets and exhilarating wins ensuring that every meet will have you on your toes.
History of Hidden Valley Raceway
The history of motor racing at Hidden Valley, Darwin goes back to 1986 when the facility was not much more than a dust bowl used for small scale events. Everything changed in 1998 when Hidden Valley was transformed to an international standard facility with the completion of the CAMS and Motorcycling Australia-licensed circuit.
However, in 1998 when the V8 Supercars made their thrilling Hidden Valley Raceway debut, the circuit really came into its own, with the opening event held in July to capitalise on cooler temperatures and predictably dry weather.
Known as the CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown, the Hidden Valley Supercar V8 round is such a crowd pleaser that in 2008 the event was voted as the V8 Supercar Event of the Year. It’s also one of the largest sporting events in the Top End and is an important showcase for the Northern Territory Government, which owns Hidden Valley Raceway.
The inaugural 1998 event saw Craig Lowndes and Russell Ingall battling it out to sweep the three races. In the end, Lowndes was the hero of the series, taking out all three races at Hidden Valley, while Ingall had a disappointing upset, failing to place in the top five in any of the races.
Hidden Valley Raceway facilities
One of the big draw cards of Hidden Valley Raceway is that it sits within the large and well appointed Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex with many exciting facilities to satisfy the needs of any motor sport lover! As well as a 1km ANDRA drag strip, there’s a clay oval speedway and awesome go-karting circuit. There’s also a number of bar and food options, 30 lockable pit garages and control towers.
Hidden Valley Raceway offers an amazing day out for spectators and those who come down to drive a V8 race car as part of the awesome V8 drive and hot lap days. These once in a lifetime experiences allow anyone with a need for speed and who’s dreamed of driving a high performance race car the chance to get behind the wheel of an amazing V8 car that’s been purpose built for racing.
Hidden Valley also gives you the opportunity to do hot laps in the passenger seat of a V8 racing legend like John Bowe or George Hollywood Elliot.
Hidden Valley Raceway winners and track times
Built for speed, Hidden Valley Raceway has produced some of the most exhilarating wins and record breaking track times in V8 Supercar history.
In 2019, Scott McLaughlin was the first to take out Hidden Valley Raceway’s Supercars Triple Crown. The legend swept the weekend, and had the honour of being the first to wear the elusive ‘Triple Crown’.
Both Scott McLaughlin and Mark Winterbottom have four victories at Hidden Valley under their belt but with eight wins in Darwin, there’s no denying that Mark Skaife can be named the true king of Hidden Valley.
Other big winners at Hidden Valley include Craig Lowndes with seven wins and Jamie Whinchup and Russell Ingall who each have six victories at Hidden Valley Raceway.
How to get to Hidden Valley Raceway
Hidden Valley Raceway is located an easy 10km drive from Darwin’s CBD and is easily accessible from Darwin Airport. Simply take Tiger Brennan Drive which connects Darwin with the neighbouring city of Palmerston. There are ample parking spaces at Hidden Valley as well as a shuttle bus service on days that the V8 Supercars events are on.
If you’re looking for amazing things to do in Darwin, driving a V8 race car is one of the most awesome experiences you can have. Come down to Hidden Valley Raceway for a Fastrack V8 drive and hot lap experiences.
That’s right, you can drive a purpose built V8 high performance race car or jump in the passenger seat as one of the legends of V8 racing takes you for hair raising hot laps in what can only be described as the experience of a lifetime.
Purchase a gift card or book your spot for a piece of the action at Hidden Valley Raceway!
