Australian Raceway Bans EV Participation on Its Drag Strip

The Willowbank Raceway in Queensland, Australia, recently banned electric vehicles (EVs) from participating in drag strip events, citing significant safety concerns. While some EV enthusiasts humorously suggested the ban was a reaction by petrol car fans to EVs outperforming traditional cars, Willowbank Raceway clarified that the decision was strictly due to safety hazards.

The ban, which took immediate effect, does not extend to hybrid vehicles. Willowbank Raceway detailed several concerns: EVs pose risks of toxic and flammable gas release after collisions, may have doors that are difficult to unlock externally, and have electrified chassis without accessible external isolation switches. Additionally, EV fires require specialised suppression systems, and powered-down EVs do not roll freely, complicating emergency responses.

This decision has ignited discussions in online car communities, with Tesla fans jesting about petrol enthusiasts’ relief and V8 fans expressing approval. Some speculated that EVs’ performance advantage over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles influenced the decision, but most recognized the safety concerns.

Willowbank is not the first track to restrict EVs. Anglesey Circuit in Wales banned both electric and hybrid vehicles from track day events earlier this year, though the ban excludes manufacturer-supported test days or organised race events where specialised infrastructure is provided.

Research from EV FireSafe shows that while EV fires are less common than ICE vehicle fires (0.0012% vs. 0.1%), they are more challenging to extinguish. Lithium-ion battery fires resist traditional fire suppressants, release toxic gases, and can cause vapour cloud explosions. Cooling the battery requires large volumes of water as lithium salts cannot be deprived of oxygen. Additional EV challenges include complex rescue procedures; for example, in some EVs, doors may require manual intervention to open if power is lost, and high-voltage components pose shock hazards.

In Malaysia, where interest in EVs is also growing, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) is preparing for its first EV-sanctioned races. MAM President Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir noted that EV racing will require new safety standards distinct from those for ICE vehicles. However, there are currently no restrictions on EV participation in track day events in Malaysia.

As EV popularity rises, racetracks worldwide are evaluating their safety infrastructure to meet the unique challenges of EV and hybrid motorsports.