Queensland Raceway
Encyclopedia
Queensland Raceway nicknamed "the paperclip" is a motor racing circuit located near Ipswich
in Queensland
, Australia
.
The circuit plays host to V8 Supercars, the Australian Superbike Championship, Drifting
as well as club level racing and ride days.
Queensland Raceway is 3.12 kilometres (1.94 mi) long and 12 metres (39 ft) wide. Racing direction is clockwise
. There are six corners. The circuit was designed by Tony Slattery with input from car
and motorcycle
racing authorities including CAMS
circuit expert Professor Rod Troutbeck.
The circuit is licenced by Australian motorsport
's two peak bodies, CAMS Limited and Motorcycling Australia
, but generally sanctions its race meeting under the Australian Auto Sport Alliance
. It runs its own championship series, the Queensland Racing Drivers Championship.
Spectator viewing at the track is excellent with the flat layout of the circuit and spectator mounds. However the flat layout makes racing less exciting for the competitors than undulating circuits like Phillip Island
. The track is also very bumpy.
Queensland Raceway is located within the bounds of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct
, near the town of Willowbank
, which is also home to the Willowbank Raceway
dragstrip
, a Kart track and a short dirt circuit. The track is also located near RAAF Base Amberley
and shares the base's 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) noise exclusion zone.
The National circuit gets the most use for testing purposes an also for major motorsport events. The Clubman circuit is also utilised regularly at state and club levelr racing, the Sprint circuit also in semi-regular use. The Sportsman circuit, originally optimised for Truck racing, is now rarely used.
Queensland's favourite motor racing son was honored on 16 August, 2001, when the front section of the Queensland Raceway was officially named "Dick Johnson Straight".
Johnson, a five-time national champion and three-time Bathurst winner, proudly unveiled a piece of pit-lane wall, which now bears his name and a plaque commemorating the ceremony and Johnson's motor racing achievements.
The unveiling was part of the pre-race build-up to the 2001 VIP Petfoods Queensland 500.
Johnson was joined by his son Steve during the ceremony as well as a host of V8 Supercar drivers and teams during what was a serious day of testing at the circuit.
"It's always a little humbling to be recognised in such a way," said Johnson. "The Queensland Raceway faced some tough times in the beginning, but I think the facility has really founds its feet in the last 12 months and is going from strength to strength. I might not be around in 50 years, but it would be nice to think this track will still be here and that the signing-writing is maintained on this wall."
Johnson was one of the driving forces behind the development of the Queensland Raceway and ironically made his last competitive drive in a V8 Supercar in 2000's Queensland 500 with Steve.
"I guess the fact that I had my last competitive drive here, makes it a little more special for me," said Johnson.
"It's a pity we could not go out with a win last year, but hopefully Steve and his co-driver can make up for that in 10 days time."
sparked discussion about the safety of the circuit. However, circuit owner John Tetley insists that the track is still safe. TeamVodafone driver Craig Lowndes
suggested that Queensland Raceway is long overdue for upgrades including a resurfacing. Tetley stated that resurfacing would be done in late 2010, although major flooding in the south-east Queensland region early in 2011, and the subsequent lack of availability of necessary equipment as devastated roads are repaired has seen that resurfacing delayed for twelve months.
On 23rd September, 2011 Queensland Raceways confirmed resurfacing will commence ont October 31. The track will be out of action for approximately 8 weeks with only light use over the upcoming few months. Track activities will be permitted which generate small start
up loads and not too much lateral G force; but not full-on race car with the sticky tyres.
Ipswich, Queensland
Ipswich is a city in South-East Queensland, Australia. Situated along the Bremer River Valley approximately 40 kilometres away from the state's capital Brisbane. The suburb by the same name forms the city's Central Business District and administrative centre...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
The circuit plays host to V8 Supercars, the Australian Superbike Championship, Drifting
Drifting (motorsport)
Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a motorsport where the driver intentionally over steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a high exit speed...
as well as club level racing and ride days.
Clockwise
Circular motion can occur in two possible directions. A clockwise motion is one that proceeds in the same direction as a clock's hands: from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back to the top...
. There are six corners. The circuit was designed by Tony Slattery with input from car
Čar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
and motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
racing authorities including CAMS
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport
The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport , has been the governing body of Australian motorsport since 1953. It is affiliated with the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile ....
circuit expert Professor Rod Troutbeck.
The circuit is licenced by Australian motorsport
Motorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
's two peak bodies, CAMS Limited and Motorcycling Australia
Motorcycling Australia
Motorcycling Australia is the governing body for motorcycle racing in Australia, covering road racing, motocross, trials, supercross, dirt track, supermoto and speedway...
, but generally sanctions its race meeting under the Australian Auto Sport Alliance
Australian Auto Sport Alliance
The Australian Auto Sport Alliance is an organisation formed to promote and administer motorsport in Australia. The AASA formed due to dissatisfaction with the governing body of Australian motorsport, CAMS, and organises race meetings independent of CAMS....
. It runs its own championship series, the Queensland Racing Drivers Championship.
Spectator viewing at the track is excellent with the flat layout of the circuit and spectator mounds. However the flat layout makes racing less exciting for the competitors than undulating circuits like Phillip Island
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing racing circuit on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The circuit was opened in 1956.-Road circuit:...
. The track is also very bumpy.
Queensland Raceway is located within the bounds of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct
Ipswich Motorsport Precinct
Ipswich Motorsport Precinct is a government-owned facility, a co-operation between the Ipswich City Council and Queensland Government, which concentrates several branches of motorsport within one area....
, near the town of Willowbank
Willowbank, Queensland
-External links:*...
, which is also home to the Willowbank Raceway
Willowbank Raceway
Willowbank Raceway is a drag racing facility in Queensland, Australia. It is located approximately 30 - 45 minutes drive west of Brisbane. It is part of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct, which includes a kart racing track; Ipswich Sprint Racing Circuit, a short circuit dirt racetrack; Ipswich Motor...
dragstrip
Dragstrip
A dragstrip is a facility for conducting automobile and motorcycle acceleration events such as drag racing. Although a quarter mile is the best known measure for a drag track, many tracks are eighth mile tracks...
, a Kart track and a short dirt circuit. The track is also located near RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley
RAAF Base Amberley is a Royal Australian Air Force base located southwest of Ipswich, Queensland and southwest of Brisbane. It is currently home to No. 1 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron , No. 33 Squadron and No. 36 Squadron...
and shares the base's 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) noise exclusion zone.
Configurations
There are three Short Circuit variations of the track in addition to the full circuit:- Sportsman 2.15 km (1.34 mi)
- Clubman 2.11 km (1.31 mi)
- Sprint 1.89 km (1.17 mi)
The National circuit gets the most use for testing purposes an also for major motorsport events. The Clubman circuit is also utilised regularly at state and club levelr racing, the Sprint circuit also in semi-regular use. The Sportsman circuit, originally optimised for Truck racing, is now rarely used.
Dick Johnson Straight
Johnson, a five-time national champion and three-time Bathurst winner, proudly unveiled a piece of pit-lane wall, which now bears his name and a plaque commemorating the ceremony and Johnson's motor racing achievements.
The unveiling was part of the pre-race build-up to the 2001 VIP Petfoods Queensland 500.
Johnson was joined by his son Steve during the ceremony as well as a host of V8 Supercar drivers and teams during what was a serious day of testing at the circuit.
"It's always a little humbling to be recognised in such a way," said Johnson. "The Queensland Raceway faced some tough times in the beginning, but I think the facility has really founds its feet in the last 12 months and is going from strength to strength. I might not be around in 50 years, but it would be nice to think this track will still be here and that the signing-writing is maintained on this wall."
Johnson was one of the driving forces behind the development of the Queensland Raceway and ironically made his last competitive drive in a V8 Supercar in 2000's Queensland 500 with Steve.
"I guess the fact that I had my last competitive drive here, makes it a little more special for me," said Johnson.
"It's a pity we could not go out with a win last year, but hopefully Steve and his co-driver can make up for that in 10 days time."
Future Development
A huge accident on 1st May, 2010 in a Mini Challenge support race to the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series
The 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series was an FIA sanctioned international motor racing series for V8 Supercars. It was the twelfth V8 Supercar Championship Series and the fourteenth series in which V8 Supercars have contested the premier Australian touring car title...
sparked discussion about the safety of the circuit. However, circuit owner John Tetley insists that the track is still safe. TeamVodafone driver Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes is a multi-championship winning Australian racing driver. He is a three-time V8 Supercar champion and five-time winner of Australia's most famous motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
suggested that Queensland Raceway is long overdue for upgrades including a resurfacing. Tetley stated that resurfacing would be done in late 2010, although major flooding in the south-east Queensland region early in 2011, and the subsequent lack of availability of necessary equipment as devastated roads are repaired has seen that resurfacing delayed for twelve months.
On 23rd September, 2011 Queensland Raceways confirmed resurfacing will commence ont October 31. The track will be out of action for approximately 8 weeks with only light use over the upcoming few months. Track activities will be permitted which generate small start
up loads and not too much lateral G force; but not full-on race car with the sticky tyres.