Location | Brisbane, Queensland |
---|---|
Time zone | GMT +10 |
Coordinates | 27°13′41″S 152°57′54″E / 27.22806°S 152.96500°ECoordinates: 27°13′41″S 152°57′54″E / 27.22806°S 152.96500°E |
Owner | Moreton Bay Regional Council |
Operator | Queensland Raceways |
Opened | 1961 Reopened: 5 April 2008 |
Former names | Lakeside International Raceway Lakeside Raceway |
Major events |
Tasman Series Australian Grand Prix Australian Touring Car Champ. |
Length | 2.411 km (1.498 mi) |
Turns | 8 |
Lap record | 0:46.66 (Paul Stokell, Reynard 91D Holden, 1994, Formula Holden) |
Lakeside Park, formerly known as Lakeside International Raceway is a motor racing circuit located at Pine Rivers 30 km (18.6 mi) north of Brisbane and lies adjacent to Lake Kurwongbah.
The circuit is known as the spiritual home of Queensland motorsport and was built by volunteers and borrowed machinery in the 1960s. The 2.41 km (1.50 mi) circuit opened in 1961 and was closed in mid-2001. The circuit reopened on 5 April 2008, with a race meeting held the following day.
The circuit was the venue for a wide range of racing series including the Australian Grand Prix on two occasions, the Australian Touring Car Championship, the Australian Superbike Championship and the Tasman Series, playing host to such names as Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill and Chris Amon.
The fast and challenging nature of the circuit was an education for a generation of Queensland racing drivers and riders, including: John French, Dick Johnson, Gregg Hansford, Tony Longhurst, Will Power and five time 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle road racing world champion Mick Doohan.
Touring cars were a mainstay of the circuit’s popularity, with the venue hosting the single race Australian Touring Car Championship titles in both 1964 and 1967. Following the change to a series format, Lakeside staged rounds of the ATCC in most years from 1970 to 1998. For much of the circuit’s life these meetings were the largest of the year and played host to some brilliant racing, the highlight of which was the 1981 title showdown between local hero Dick Johnson and reigning champion Peter Brock. Despite a wounded car Johnson won the race and the title in front of his home crowd and secured for himself a future in the sport after almost 20 years of battling at times just to compete. Touring cars left Lakeside after the 1998 season, increasing the circuits decline as a venue.