lakesideguy

It's amazing, but motorsport will always get screwed because we're so fragmented. United we stand, divided we take it up the ... Spread the word, write to the media and government and don't let 'em give you any crap.

Media Release Lakeside Hostage to Land Cartel 16 April, 2207 Brisbane, Australia - A Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts' insider source confirmed that the Pine Rivers Shire Council is being bullied by a small group of wealthy landowners using a publicity campaign of misinformation to delay the successful tenderer from opening Lakeside to the community. The anti-Lakeside faction has acquired large holdings of lake-front acreage and wants to continue to prevent public access to the facility until the deal with the State Government, preserving the site's motor racing heritage, expires in 2010. It is also being reported that some councillors are resisting heavy pressure to circumvent the spirit of the South East Queensland Regional Plan with a strategy to re-zone the former Australian Grand Prix circuit after 2010, or write-it-off as a multi-million dollar ratepayer donation to the local golf club. President of LMRE, Ian Milton said, "If one of Queensland's rare public motorsport venues can be re-zoned, then this well-healed minority will continue to bully Council into permitting subdivision of their estates. This will be a lotto win for them, but opening up the water front to another 1000 houses would be an insane burden on the Shire's fragile water supply. Conversely, Lakeside has a proven record over 40 years with its own water supply, has never had a pollution complaint lodged against it and no-one has ever provided one shred of scientific evidence that it has any impact on Lake Kurwongbah." "Even if one was to accept the arguments of these selfish individuals at face value, how do they balance them against life saving public benefits to the majority of the Shire's population, such as educating our young drivers? Currently, Dakabin High School students are forced to pay higher costs and waste over 2 hours travelling to Ipswich for driver education courses when there's a vacant facility within walking distance of the school!" "For each one of these wannabe developers complaining about Council process, LMRE has a member who moved to the area specifically to be closer to Lakeside, not to mention the fact that this gang represents less than one tenth of one percent of the ratepayers of the Shire and yet they're holding everyone east of Narangba Rd to ransom." "The core of LMRE membership are Pine Rivers Shire residents and they are sick of hearing the childish cries about a lack of consultation even though the issue has been publicly debated in the media for nearly five years. How much credibility can you give someone who lacks basic knowledge of the local community issues and fails to do their own research?" "Make no mistake, this argument over Lakeside is not about noise or water quality or any other public issue, it's about a handful of well positioned people attempting to sabotage the public process for personal financial gain." LMRE has worked tirelessly for the past 5 years with the other committed stakeholders to develop a plan for Lakeside that doesn't exclude anyone, so now, we are not prepared to stand by and let a self-interested minority hijack the future of this community asset at the eleventh hour. For more information - www.lakesideraceway.com

Who did you talk to?

I heard about it too, appaently it was 1969. I wonder how many other tracks in Australia can lay claim to hosting rounds of the World Formula One Championship. According to the Queensland Heritage Council, the circuit only has heritage value at a local level!

Hey Guys, I know its a bit behind the times, but thought some of you might be interested in seeing some pics of the Halloween Cafe' Cruise for Charity in Brisbane. A good turn out of people in costumes, no-one got lost and everyone had a fun night out touring the hot spots and landmarks of Brisbane. Personally, made a lot of new friends and everyone brought really relaxed attitudes. We raised a couple hundred bucks for Citizens Against Road Slaughter (C.A.R.S.) and there's already been good feedback and ideas to grow the event for next year, but always keen to hear more. See you in '07!

Hi Guys, Only 10 days until the Halloween Cruise! We visited Harry's Diner on Friday night with a couple of Promo Angels. They're coming to the cruise, are you?

Media Release 10 October, 2006 Lakeside Renaissance On Track Brisbane, Australia – Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts congratulates Queensland Raceway for becoming the “preferred submitter” from the Pine Rivers Shire Council’s tender process to re-develop and manage Lakeside International Raceway. The historic facility’s name has been changed to Lakeside Park, but work still remains before motorsport can return. Queensland Raceway owner, John Tetley said, “We are seeking a long-term lease to secure Lakeside’s future and I hope to have a contract signed in about a month.” Pine Rivers Shire Chief Executive Officer, Ray Burton said, “Council is negotiating a management agreement and contract with Queensland Raceway which will include the times of operation.” LMRE president, Ian Milton said, “Assuming there is a successful outcome to negotiations, we are looking forward to assisting John Tetley and the Pine Rivers Council to develop Lakeside into a desperately needed motorsport venue that benefits the whole community.” Following the PRSC announcement, LMRE committee members met with Mr Tetley to discuss the Council approved strategy for the famous circuit. Lakeside Park will operate as a “boutique facility” and seek to recreate the look and feel from its halcyon days of the 1960’s and 70’s. Its operation as a motorsport facility will not be as it once was and a compromise has been made to limit racing to 20 events per year. As expected, the return of V8Supercars has been ruled out. Mr Tetley admits that noise and other environmental concerns are of paramount importance to the plan as well as encouraging a greater involvement in the facility by the wider community. Furthermore, Mr Tetley offered that Lakeside “must be the servant of many to be successful” and will be seeking to include all forms of motorsport with two and four wheels. He said that it would be “unlikely to have a race this year”, but a re-opening celebration would be appropriate. The first official racing event is described as a “Renaissance Festival” and is scheduled for May 2007. However, a significant program of safety improvements is planned for the track before then, including repairing the racing surface and moving armco barriers. Ian Milton said, “LMRE is encouraged by the common sense direction the council seems to be taking to create a shared facility that could bring real, long-term financial and social benefits, not just to the people of the Pine Rivers Shire, but the whole of Queensland.” For more information, or to join the over 2000 signatures on the petition, visit www.lakesideraceway.com/petition.htm

Hi Guys, Check out these recent media articles about the effort to re-open Lakeside Raceway on Brisbane's northside - the fat lady hasn't sung yet! I've got a couple of recent newspaper articles to share with everyone, but I didn’t want to hog space, so if you want to read the detail in full size, click here to go to www.lakesideraceway.com/news.htm. What do you guys think about getting a dedicated motorsport facility for Brisbane's north-side? Scott

Halloween Café Cruise for Charity ‘06 Tuesday, 31 October 2006 The night when the un-dead rise from their graves to haunt the village of ye old BrisVegas. Under the cover of darkness, all manner of spirits and zombies scour the city in their monstrous machines seeking sacrifices to the dark side. They take a secret, ancient path seeking peasants to scare along the way to their ritual moonlight gathering atop the mountain. Charity: Citizens Against Road Slaughter (C.A.R.S.) www.cars.asn.au C.A.R.S. is a Queensland road accident victims' support group started in 1984. The charity provides counselling, victim advocacy to bereaved families and has performed extensive research into road trauma prevention. It even provides free accommodation in Brisbane for families when a family member is in hospital or under medical treatment as a result of a road accident. Start Location: DFO (Discount Factory Outlet) car park off Brisbane Airport Drive. Make sure you’re gassed up and ready to go before you turn up! Route & Directions: Available from 7:00pm at the Start Location with your donation. . Distance approximately 42 km. Co-pilot who can read will be very helpful with directions and to split the donation contribution! Donations: $10 per car. Pay on the night at the Start Location. All profits going to C.A.R.S. Departure Time: 7:30pm Final Destination: Party at the Mt Coot-tha Summit Café over looking the Brisbane city lights. Costumes are optional, but it’s a lot more fun and you might feel left out without one. A ghoulish Halloween menu of food and drink will be available for purchase, including alcohol for those over 18yrs and not driving. Arrival time approx: 9:45pm. Cash Prizes: Best Male Costume $50 Best Female Costume $50 Best Couple Costume $100 Finish Time: Whenever Cruise Leader: Scott – 1970 Mach 1 Mustang Tail gunner: Dimitri – MotorFocus XR6 Turbo Ute Please remember, this cruise has been organised to help people that are in a very bad way. Any selfish behaviour that resembles hooning may be reported to the police or other authorities, so please, no skids, burnouts, drifting, racing will not be tolerated and take any rubbish with you when you leave each meeting spot.

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts has confirmed that the tender submitted by Motorcycling Australia has been rejected by the Pine Rivers Shire Council. Only the Police Citizens Youth Club, Total Driver and Queensland Raceway remain in the race for the management rights of the historic Lakeside International Raceway. In a fax from John Rauber of the PRSC, “Council has considered the submissions from organisations wishing to undertake the management and enhancement of facilities at Lakeside and at MP06/1888 [council meeting minutes] has resolved to conduct further negotiations and due diligence for three of the submissions.” LMRE president Ian Milton said, “The motorcycling community helped build Lakeside over the past four decades and would’ve been quite capable of running the facility.” “We are confident that any of the remaining tenderers will be able to operate Lakeside in a fair and financially viable manner provided they are not encumbered by overly restrictive Council policies.” Mr Rauber stated, “It is expected a final decision on the successful operator will be made soon, with contracts completed before the end of the year.” Whilst LMRE is disappointed with the slow decision making process, the members are hopeful that the Pine Rivers Shire Council will soon provide part of the solution to reduce hooning and racing on public streets.

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts' sources confirm that at least three of the seven organisations invited by the Pine Rivers Shire Council to manage Lakeside International Raceway have declined to tender for the business. It is understood that those who decided not to submit business proposals were not strong supporters of amatuer motorsport. "We know the organisations that have made submissions have taken it very seriously and conducted themselves in a professional manner. We can only hope the Council will see fit to reciprocate in kind and finally deliver a return for ratepayers", said LMRE president Ian Milton. A 20 year lease has reportedly been offered by the Council in exchange for limited track days at the former Australian Grand Prix circuit. It is not yet known if other restrictions will be applied to motorsport operations. The historic track has suffered vandalism and neglect since the Pine River Shire Council purchase in 2001. Applicants are anticipating a need to invest in the facility's infrastructure and are confident of cooperation from motorsport's governing bodies to re-license the track. The deadline for submissions was Friday, 26 May and tenderers are expecting a decision as early as mid-July 2006. Ian Milton stated, "I'm pleased to see efforts heading in the right direction, but I still harbour concerns that the tender process is but a cynical ploy by Council to satisfy their obligations under the heritage deal!" Additionally, the PRSC has been busy over the past few weeks demolishing the old office and barn, along with old toilet blocks. However, essential motorsport items such as the racing surface and guard rails are protected for another four years by the deal with the Queensland Heritage Council that resulted in the removal of the heritage listing. More info available at www.lakesideraceway.com. Scott Publicity Officer Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts, Inc.

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts' sources confirm that at least three of the seven organisations invited by the Pine Rivers Shire Council to manage Lakeside International Raceway have declined to tender for the business. It is understood that those who decided not to submit business proposals were not strong supporters of amatuer motorsport. "We know the organisations that have made submissions have taken it very seriously and conducted themselves in a professional manner. We can only hope the Council will see fit to reciprocate in kind and finally deliver a return for ratepayers", said LMRE president Ian Milton. A 20 year lease has reportedly been offered by the Council in exchange for limited track days at the former Australian Grand Prix circuit. It is not yet known if other restrictions will be applied to motorsport operations. The historic track has suffered vandalism and neglect since the Pine River Shire Council purchase in 2001. Applicants are anticipating a need to invest in the facility's infrastructure and are confident of cooperation from motorsport's governing bodies to re-license the track. The deadline for submissions was Friday, 26 May and tenderers are expecting a decision as early as mid-July 2006. Ian Milton stated, "I'm pleased to see efforts heading in the right direction, but I still harbour concerns that the tender process is but a cynical ploy by Council to satisfy their obligations under the heritage deal!" Additionally, the PRSC has been busy over the past few weeks demolishing the old office and barn, along with old toilet blocks. However, essential motorsport items such as the racing surface and guard rails are protected for another four years by the deal with the Queensland Heritage Council that resulted in the removal of the heritage listing. More info available at www.lakesideraceway.com. Scott Publicity Officer Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts, Inc.

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts cautiously welcomed the announcement by the Pine Rivers Shire Council to invite 7 of the 11 interested parties to submit business proposals for the management and development of Lakeside International Raceway. Pine Rivers Mayor, Cr Yvonne Chapman, said Council was excited by some of the prospects presented by the interested groups, which encompassed a range of activities including motorised sport, driver training, youth programs, outdoor sport and recreation as well as tourism development. "The potential for Lakeside is enormous and Council will be looking at options that gain the best outcome economically for the community," she said. LMRE president Ian Milton observed, "This is a big change in attitude for the mayor, but it doesn't guarantee the return of club-level motor racing to Lakeside just yet." "We trust this will be a transparent tender process and challenge the Council to include a mechanism for both the ratepayers of the shire and the motorsport community to have input into the future of Lakeside - instead of getting another backroom heritage deal," he said. Mayor Chapman said, "Council would prefer a consortium of parties to offer an innovative, multi-purpose solution for the restoration of activity at the site." "This is our chance to once again turn Lakeside into a major drawcard for Pine Rivers - the flow on effects would be significant." Parties invited to submit business proposals are: Total Driver Pty Ltd RACQ YMCA Brisbane Willowbank Race Circuit Pty Ltd Motorcycling Queensland/Motorcycling Australia Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association Juniper Development Group Ian Milton noted, "Even though the list of tender applicants gives us hope, there's still a lot of unanswered questions like, what politically motivated hurdles are they going to have to contend with, what's going to happen in four years when the Heritage Council deal expires and how is the Council going to compensate us for denying access to our sporting facilities for all these years?" Council said it was hopeful of having an arrangement in place by September.

Sources reveal that the Pine Rivers Shire Council received at least 10 applications for the future management of Lakeside International Raceway before their Expression of Interest (EOI) closed on the 31st of January. "Even though the council's EOI document highlighted its apparent motorsport naivety and scared off some investors, we are very pleased that so many were still prepared to have a go in good faith," said Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts president Ian Milton. Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts has provided assistance to a number of bona fide applicants. Quality EOI applications came from local community groups, motor sporting bodies and private enterprise. "Every applicant we talked to acknowledges that the commercial reality of the situation dictates Lakeside must be operated primarily as a club-level motor racing circuit," said Mr Milton. The PRSC were obligated to perform the EOI under their agreement with the Queensland Heritage Council, however, they are not required to make any decisions regarding the EOI or take the process to tender. Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts' charter does not allow the organisation to seek the future management rights or ownership of the circuit, but it is willing to provide assistance to others who are seeking the return of club-level motor racing to Lakeside. In closing, during the summer break, LMRE received a very supportive letter from one of Australia's national sporting legends - Peter Brock. "I believe it is imperative that Lakeside Raceway remains as a motor sport recreational facility. There are now many more people who desire and need to enjoy these dedicated facilities. Obviously there is an argument for pure, elite level motor sport to be able to use this character building track - it does produce more skilled drivers and riders than Ipswich due to the undulating and flowing nature of the circuit. Drivers and riders who can then compete with success internationally. However there is a compelling argument that people today - more than ever - need recreation to provide a healthy outlet which enables them to cope with the restrictions and stresses of modern day living. Despite the best hopes of politicians, law enforcement agencies, bureaucrats and authorities in general, there is an increase in depression, suicide, drug taking etc. This is common knowledge. The more sedentary society ( particularly youth ) becomes, the more need there is to promote healthy recreation, which means channelling their energy into an area where it does not impact on the unwary and innocent. Don't ban it, use it as an educational tool and help create a healthier, happier and more productive society. Lakeside Raceway can provide an idea means to achieve this. I strongly advocate that Lakeside Raceway remains operational and accessible to motoring enthusiasts and as an educational facility for young drivers." Peter Brock. AM. LMRE wishes to thank Mr Brock for his valuable time and support.

Dear Queensland Skyline Enthusiast, As you know, our sport has been under attack from short sighted local Councils for years. Recently they've closed Lakeside Raceway and Darlington Park to racing and literally kicked our sport out into the streets. Then, they hypocritically complain about the mysterious increase in 'hooning' on public streets and refuse to take any responsibility when anyone mentions the rising road toll. With the exception of the over-booked facilities at Ipswich, there are no dedicated circuits or drag-strips available for regular motorsport on either the south or northside of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast. There are less facilities in Queensland now than there were 30 years ago. This situation is irresponsible considering a motoring population the size of south east Queensland. Meanwhile, motoring legislation has become more restrictive and revenue raising efforts increasingly efficient. The lack of safe, professionally operated motorsport facilities in our state is not because the finances can't be found. Local councils control whether a property can be zoned for motorsport use and none of them are giving permission. They're all devoted followers of the NIMBY (Not-in-my-backyard) decision making system. We are asking for separate space, away from residential communities, where we can be left to enjoy our sport in a safe and responsible manner. We don't want the politicians to pay for facilities, however, we do want them to stop blocking our efforts to do the right thing. In closing, LMRE would like to thank everyone for the strong support so far and we will continue to work to provide a safe alternative to motor racing on public streets. You can keep up to date with any future events and news by visiting www.lakesideraceway.com. Or, email us at [email protected] and we will include you on our Supporters List to receive media releases directly. Scott Clark Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts PS: Tell a friend!