Motorsport Under Attack In Qld

[lakesideguy]

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!

[nisr32]

good work guys keep it up.

[wrxkilla]

yeah tht is great work.

pricks hey, its getting bad i must say.

[ferni]

Very well written letter. Good points.

[7yphon]

Luckly WA doesnt have to worry about that (YET!) But im sure it will soon be on the bords for the time Being tho WA's pubs are being targeted and are being closed accross the metro for noise polution, So im sure the Barbagello raceway will be the next target soon.

[jlnewton]

Yes well written. I did hear a little rumour a while a go that an area of land around Kilcoy way had been successfully rezoned for motorsport use. . . . Can anyone else verify this. Would be great to see Lakeside back up and running for club style events and sprints though. . . . . And Darlington Park for that matter.

[GTRgeoff]

All the best Scott. I have some views on this myself to help curb the street misbehaviour. More later.

[Dale FZ1]

Yes well written.  I did hear a little rumour a while a go that an area of land around Kilcoy way had been successfully rezoned for motorsport use. . . .  Can anyone else verify this.  Would be great to see Lakeside back up and running for club style events and sprints though. . . . .  And Darlington Park for that matter.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I understand that a complex at Kilcoy is being strongly considered but don't know who the players are, or what form of motorsport they intend to cater for. I'd also heard that they are trying to get a hillclimb event going there for 2006. That area could do with some development and support. Main industry is the meatworks and timber up in the hills.

Darlington Park - great venue, but sadly it's long gone. The family who built it are getting out of it after they guy whose dream it was died from heart failure. Urban encroachment is a poor reason to force these venues out of existence. I do have to say after having done a couple of ride days there that runoff areas were not adequate in a couple of key spots. Otherwise track layout etc were fantastic.

[xr8eater]

i put some extensive effort into geting a drag strip or a race track in on some old crown land in cairns only to have my ideas turned down by local council.

keep up the good work boys and girls this is an area where we could improve

[hrd-hr30]

I understand that a complex at Kilcoy is being strongly considered but don't know who the players are, or what form of motorsport they intend to cater for.  I'd also heard that they are trying to get a hillclimb event going there for 2006.  That

HRCC - Historic Racing Car Club are building the track at Kilcoy. Apparently work has begun on the site, and the track has been graded into the countryside, so its well advanced

The Kilcoy Canter would be what you're referring to with the Hillclimb. It was to be run more as a rallysprint than a hillclimb, with two stages of approx 3km and 8km in the foothills and up the Jimna range, just outside Kilcoy. Cars would regroup between these two stages, and they would be run in both directions. Unfortunately plans for this have met with opposition from CAMS and the event has been shelved for another year. But it is still on the cards for the future.

[r33_racer]

I can back that up..the kilcoy track which is going ahead full steam behind the power from the HRCC..they expect it to be built late 06 hopefully..at least the basics anyway...track and some facilities.

Should be a really good track. The best of everything!