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Queensland Raceway aka Paperclip

March 22, 2016
Circuits
Alexander S

  • Queensland Raceway sprint willowbank terms park
  • Queensland Raceway V8 Supercars
  • Queensland Raceway
  • Queensland Raceway

Queensland Raceway is a racing circuit located at Willowbank, near the city of Ipswich in Queensland, Australia. This track, also known as ’the paperclip’ due to its simple design, hosts various racing series with V8 Supercars as the main event of the year.

National and three other layouts

This relatively new clockwise-running venue, opened in 1999, is 3.12 km long and 12 metres wide. The designer of the track was Tony Slattery who had a help from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and the other car and motorcycle racing authorities.

Queensland Raceway Map/track layout

Map: Queensland Raceway track layout

Except the main configuration which is also called ’National’, Queensland Raceway have three shorter layouts – ’Clubman circuit’ which is 2.11 km long, ’Sportsman circuit’ with a length of 2.15 km and 1.89 km ’Sprint circuit’ used for various purposes, but the ’National’ is the one used for the major events.

Dick Johnson straight

In 2011, the front section of the Queensland Raceway was officially named ’Dick Johnson Straight’ to honour famous Queensland’s racer Dick Johnson who is a five-time national champion and three-time Bathurst winner. Johnson was also involved in the development of the Queensland Raceway.

Dick Johnson, plaque, Queensland Raceway

Dick Johnson with plaque at Queensland Raceway

Queensland Raceway is not one of the drivers’ favorites

This is a very fast track and due to its flat layout, spectators have a good view. But, the drivers are not so happy with the flat layout as the most of them prefer wavy venues like Phillip Island Circuit. In the meantime, Queensland Raceway became infamous because of the bumps albeit being completely resurfaced in 2011 after numerous complaints about the safety of the track.

Queensland Raceway V8 Supercars race

V8 Supercars race at Queensland Raceway

One of the reasons for these complaints was the accident which happened in 2010. Many spectators were lucky to escape major injuries when the Mini Challenge of Kain Magro cartwheeled into the crowd. A similar accident happened a day later proving that the safety barriers are necessary.

Two tragedies in one year

Sadly, in 2013, two tragedies happened at the track. Young motorbike rider Chris Mosca lost his life after collision with another bike during the test session. Few months later, Porsche Supercup driver Sean Edwards was killed in an accident while teaching a younger colleague during the training day.

Craig Lowndes is the most successful V8 Supercars driver at Queensland Raceway

V8 Supercars race is the main event at Queensland Raceway. By the end of 2015, the most successful driver is Craig Lowndes who scored 11 wins. Garth Tander is a five-time winner of the V8 Supercars race at Queensland Raceway while Russell Ingall and James Courtney have three victories in their books.

Queensland Raceway, lakeside racing, series, track motorsports events

Race at Queensland Raceway

Outright lap record time holder is Simon Wills. Driving a Reynard 94D Holden at 1999 Formula Holden race, he set the time 1:04.0661. V8 Supercars lap record holder is Lee Holdsworth. In 2012, driving a Ford Falcon 2012, he set the time 1:10.1267.

Other events held at this venue are Australian Superbike championship, Queensland Endurance championship, Shannons Nationals, drifting etc.

Video – Lap at Queensland Raceway

Address: Champions Way, Willowbank QLD 4306, Australia

Phone: +61 7 5461 9100

Website: qldraceways.com.au

Photo: speedcafe.com wikimedia.org autoaction.com.au discoveripswich.com.au

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