One Raceway (formerly Wakefield Raceway) is a regional motorsport venue located near Goulburn, New South Wales. After a period of closure, the raceway was revitalised as a multi-million-dollar ‘generational business’ under new ownership, with a focus on community engagement, sustainable operations, and high-performance infrastructure – including a modern AV system.

 

 

 

Neighbour complaints about excessive noise – not just from race cars, but from a dilapidated PA system – led to the raceway’s shutdown. The existing audio setup used outdated, indiscriminate horn speakers that broadcast into the surrounding valley, exacerbating noise pollution. Any relaunch of the venue required not only environmental responsibility, but also reliable, intelligible audio coverage across the entire site without compromising the experience for spectators and participants.

 

Additionally, the AV system needed to support a variety of use cases: commentary, emergency announcements, live streaming, FM radio transmission, and broadcast integration – all while being scalable and futureproof.

 

 

 

Sennheiser, in collaboration with Bose Professional and Canberra-based integrator Sound Advice, delivered a cutting-edge solution with a focus on precision, control, and scalability.

 

At the heart of One Raceway’s commentary and microphone infrastructure is a Sennheiser EW-DX digital wireless system, featuring two handheld microphones and two Sennheiser HMD 300 broadcast headsets connected via a podcasting interface for local submixing and streaming potential.

 

A Sennheiser ADP UHF directional RF antenna ensures rock-solid signal capture across the entire pit lane, while Dante connectivity routes all signals seamlessly into the Bose Professional ControlSpace DSP for full-venue distribution. The system intelligently manages audio priority through DSP: the Sennheiser SpeechLine gooseneck mic (using the Sennheiser MAT 133-S push-to-talk tablestand) ducks all other channels for emergency messages, while roving mics override background music.

 

PoE-powered and network-enabled, the EW-DX system allows for remote monitoring, ensuring robust RF performance even in a high-interference motorsport environment.

 

Remote access to the system via Sennheiser Control Cockpit enables Sound Advice to monitor and manage performance, identify RF issues, and provide fast troubleshooting to ensure the system remains mission-ready at all times.

 

 

 

One Raceway now boasts an AV infrastructure befitting a world-class facility. The Sennheiser wireless system provides dependable, high-fidelity audio capture for commentary and announcements, with seamless integration into the venue’s fibre and Dante backbone.

 

The venue supports up to 180 announcements on a busy race day, all delivered with clarity and precision. Spectators benefit from immersive commentary that enhances their connection to the on-track action, while behind the scenes, race control staff enjoy intuitive, reliable tools that keep events running smoothly.

 

 

 

One Raceway’s transformation was more than a resurface and a name change – it was a complete reimagining of what a regional motorsport venue could be. With Sennheiser’s EW-DX wireless system forming a cornerstone of the audio infrastructure, the venue has achieved a blend of technical sophistication, flexibility, and future readiness.

 

“Bad sound is worse than no sound,” One Raceway owner Steve Shelley asserts. “It creates anxiety. If you’re going to communicate with audio, it has to be done properly.”

 

And it has been done properly. One Raceway not only meets stringent environmental standards but also provides an engaging, high-quality spectator experience. Whether through immersive trackside commentary or high-performance RF coverage, Sennheiser has helped ensure that every lap is heard loud and clear.