Shoot the Creek. By the book.

Yes. All filming, photography and drone operations at Sydney Motorsport Park require approval from the venue before the activity begins — that covers race meetings, public track days, motorsport experiences, driver safety and training, corporate events and general coverage. The Conditions of Entry go further for anything commercial: unauthorised capture of images for commercial use or broadcast in any format is not permitted anywhere on site. The one thing that needs no application is shooting from the general spectator areas for your own personal, non-commercial use.

No less than seven days before the event or activity. That is not a courtesy window — it is the time it takes to assess your request, brief security and marshals, and organise your vest and collection point. Applications after the deadline, up to and including on the day, are accepted only in exceptional circumstances. Drone applications also run to a minimum of one week, and broadcast requests should start as early as you possibly can.

Full accreditation takes you beyond the spectator fences — pit building, paddock, approved infield positions and the Media Centre — and requires personal accident cover that you upload with your application. Limited accreditation gives you entry to the venue, closer parking to the main paddock and Media Centre access when it is open, but no access to non-spectator areas of the circuit. Limited exists for journalists, team and individual media personnel and non-commercial amateur outlets. Compare both tiers.

For Full accreditation: proof of personal accident cover — an individual policy, a company policy, or Motorsport Australia Media Accreditation, which includes accident cover — uploaded during the application, plus photo ID showing you are over 18 and details of the outlet or client you are shooting for. Limited accreditation needs the ID and the outlet but no insurance. Drone operations need considerably more: CASA RePL or REOC certification, $20 million public liability, your two-person crew details, a filming plan and evidence of your engagement with the event promoter.

You'll get an on-screen confirmation and a verification email. Receipt of your application is not automatic approval of credentials — our team assesses every request against safety standards, venue policy and the activity you described, and we contact you to confirm the outcome. Approved media are then emailed the collection point for their vest, which varies between events. If you need to check on an application, email media@ardc.com.au or call +61 2 9672 1000.

A Full credential covers the pit building, paddock, general spectator areas, the Media Centre and the infield — with three permanent exceptions: Turn 2/3, Turn 17/18 and the South Circuit and Corporate Hill area. Pit lane access sits with the Pit Lane Controller on the day, across from garage 1/2. Wherever you end up, keep a one-metre concrete barrier between yourself and the track at all times, and never cross a hot track — anyone who does is escorted off with an official warning. See the zone map.

The appropriate vest must be clearly displayed at all times during the event. Only Sydney Motorsport Park official vests or current-year CAMS vests are in use here. If your crew wears its own branded vests, that exception has to be submitted to and accepted by ARDC, with security and event staff notified with details and an image no later than seven days before the event. Collection points vary between events and are emailed to approved media. Vests go back to Security at the exit of Gate A unless you're told otherwise — failure to return one is invoiced at $50 + GST.

Many events staged at Sydney Motorsport Park have their own accreditation process, and the promoter must be contacted directly for applications — World Time Attack is the most common example. When a promoter runs the event, they take all responsibility, insurance and liability for media on the premises for the duration, and they issue the passes and vests. If you aren't sure who runs the event you're covering, email accessrequests@ardc.com.au and we'll point you at the right process.

No. Drone approval is supplied to professional working media and commercial filming crews only, and approval for the acquisition of personal footage will not be given. Drones are a prohibited item under the Conditions of Entry, and flying one without specific written permission from the venue can result in immediate eviction from the circuit — regardless of the size or use of the aircraft.

A two-person team as a minimum — a drone operator plus a camera operator (preferred) or a ground spotter, and sub-2 kg aircraft are not exempt from that rule. On paper: CASA certification (RePL or REOC — an ARN is accepted only in special circumstances), $20 million public liability held by you or your company, your operating name on the event permit for race meetings, evidence of your engagement with or approval from the event promoter, and a filming plan naming the aircraft. Apply no less than one week out. There's no download — the Drone Application form is sent out on request.

A media credential covers editorial coverage. It is not a licence for commercial production, and the Conditions of Entry are explicit that unauthorised capture of images for commercial use or broadcast in any format is not permitted — recording devices for commercial purposes are listed as a prohibited item. If your images or footage are for an advertisement, a brand campaign, a product launch or any paid client deliverable, that is a commercial arrangement with the venue. Start with media@ardc.com.au.

That's a commercial booking rather than an accreditation, and it starts with the Commercial Marketing team — email media@ardc.com.au or call +61 2 9672 1000 and ask for them. Depending on what you're planning it may also involve venue hire for exclusive circuit or building access. Give yourself weeks rather than days: creative brief, public liability certificate, schedule, crew size and the configuration you need all have to be agreed before a call sheet goes out.