After 2 days at Raleigh Raceway (Valla), have found I've gotten addicted to sprints. Something different I guess from the hillclimb - bit more bum-in-seat time is probably why.

Anyway, I had my first ever run with Jezebel at Lakeside yesterday, and had an absolute blast !!!

For those that don't know the story, Lakeside used to be a beautiful track just north of Brissie - 2nd only to Bathurst for fastest avg lap speed in the country, and the place where Dick Johnson first came to fame. The place has been closed for almost 10 years, with court battles and all sorts of things going on over noise, heritage listings, rezoning and so-on to keep it out of the hands of the developers. Well earlier this year the motorsport enthusiats won, and with Queensland Raceway taking up a 30 year lease it's recently been opened up again for club-level motorsport. Still lots of work to do at the place which will happen with time - resurfacing especially - but still a great place.

Some video up here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLlUpvEE5bw

I'm still taking it pretty easy - only saw about 150 kph down the front straight, 125-130 under the bridge and a 78.69 fastest lap. Meant the V8 Commodore's could walk past me pretty easily, but with the odd tweak here and there and more experience... who knows !!!

Yes when i was with the Supertourers the track was in need of work...but otherwise nice one to drive!...nice stuff to Davo,that box will take alot more have fun

great stuff sides. gotta love the carousell, tracks abit rough round the back near the bridge. used to go up and pit for a mates running production bikes the bus stop was the best for them.

Awesome Dave, i know i'll be taking my bug there when it's finally on the road, now how to get to Lakeside, thats right turn left out my street drive straight for 3 minutes turn left into Lakeside Drive, easy. Much more exciting and closer than the paperclip, at willowbank.

Damo.

Great Vid
the Bommadores may get you on the straight bits but held your own pretty well in the bent stuff.

Marc

Cheers for comments everyone - the car defintely has more in it, and some larger vents and re-jetting the carbs might give some gains to top speed down the straight. A bit more confidence and experience I'm sure will help too - but still a ton of fun even as slow as I am !!!

Wow Damo - having a track so close-by to where you live, I'm truly envious. I've literally only done one lap of Willowbank so far (supersprint as part of last year's Qld Challenge) but agree with you on Lakeside being more exciting - really nice flow to the track and the elevation changes just make the place. The bumps and patches in the surface you kinda get used to - and planning lines that dodge the worst of them adds an interesting angle.

Can't wait now to get back there actually - just over a month away now...

Ah I Love Lakeside,,, we did quite a number of years of sprint meetings around there with the Surfers Paradise Auto racing Club,,, Ahhhh the memories

good on ya Sides,,, keep up the good work,,, I`m glad you caught the racing bug (so to speak) You`re never ever going to refret it,,, & I`ll see you out there one day soon with both my mini & maybe my DC kombi :-) Best time for me around there in my road mini was 1min4.75sec,,, Dam i love that place :-)

how sick! awesome vid!

bring on vwma lakeside day 2008

nick

i used to frequent Lakeside quite a lot helping my uncle out with formula Vee's there. great track and makes real exciting racing.

Dave you gonna have to pull your finger out and get those lap times down!! My brother took his Type 3 out there years ago with a stock 1600 and did a 68.5 lap. 96mph down the front straight and 96mph down from the bus stop to hungry corner. The thing handled really good and with the lack of power so to speak he was really man handling it around the corners. There were a few HQ's practising out there when he was there adn they had enough straight line speed to get past him on the fron straight but he would totally out break them into the carousel then they couldn't get past him again till the straight again. Was hilarious to watch from the tower.

I knew a few toyota guys who were out there the other running around and said that you were there. they want me to come out and have a go. I personally would like to tke my bus for a spin around there for a few fast laps to see what she would do!!

Quote:

Originally posted by bond how sick! awesome vid! bring on vwma lakeside day 2008 nick

I'll tell you now circuit racing can be very addictive!! But like you said Dave it's just another form of racing that you can do with your car... and have heaps of fun and learn more car control too!!

I`m keen to fling my DC around there :-) we should hook up a day where Brenden & Andrew & me all fang around in the same AASA battle group if we can hey??? Anyone else with a Kombi who`s keen for a fang around Lakeside???

:-)

Sounds like a plan!! I'm sure Aaron Roberts would be keen!!

Can my 1600SP Single Cab get a run.
I am sure I would catch up on the corners
I'll come to watch the lunacy anyhow

cheers
Marcus

the more the merrier!!

Sounds like a great idea - and why shouldn't a Kombi have a go, they have a VW Caddy (van) that runs there !!!

The next AASA spints meet at Lakeside is 21st Sept - you can get details at http://www.qldraceways.com.au/lakeside_sprints/index.html

Entry and licensing is pretty straight forward - I put my entry in like 2 days before the event, and you just apply for the required AASA license on the same form. Cars just need to be roadworthy and safe, and for Lakeside noise has to be under 92dBA (they DO test you on this).

Looks great.....just need to use a few more revs around the back, sounds a tad low in the rev range