QuaRterly Magazine | August 2018.

Official Publication of Queensland Raceways

The

QuaRterly August, 2018

magazine

FRESH NEW LOOK FOR QR CONTROL TOWER KIWI DUO DOMINATE IPSWICH SUPERSPRINT

SUPERBIKES RETURN TO LAKESIDE

QTCC | EXCEL CUP | FORMULA VEE | WILLOWBANK 300 & MORE.

The

QuaRterly Issue #30 | August, 2018

magazine

QUEENSLAND RACEWAY 10-12 18 31 1 8-9 15-16 21-22

AUGUST Dunlop Super Series Hi-Tec Oils Drift All-Stars Friday Night Drift SEPTEMBER Roll Racing Powercruise QRDC #5 24 Hours of Lemons

PAGES 4-6 2018 LAKESIDE TRIBUTE PAGE 8 NEWS PAGE 9 AUSTRALIAN FORMULA VEE PAGE 10 ROLL RACING PAGE 12-13 SHANNONS NATIONALS PAGE 14 LAKESIDE CLASSIC NEWS PAGE 16-17 EXCEL CUP - ROUND 1 PAGE 18 ALL AMERICAN DAY

LAKESIDE PARK 10-12 2 8-9 21-23 28

AUGUST Lakeside Classic SEPTEMBER All Aussie Fathers Day Lord of the Lake Australian FX-Superbike Championship Lakeside 300

PAGE 20-22 2018 WILLOWBANK 300 PAGE 23 SUPERBIKES RETURN TO LAKESIDE PAGE 24 FRIDAY NIGHT DRIFT PAGE 26-29 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP | COATES HIRE IPSWICH SUPERSPRINT PAGE 30 WHAT’S COMING UP

full calendar at: calendar.qldraceways.com.au

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2018 LAKESIDE TRIBUTE

The iconic Lakeside Park was bathed in glorious sunshine for the eighth annual Lakeside Tribute, that saw six categories on show, across a 29-race program, in front of a healthy crowd.

Acknowledging the 57th anniversary of the south-east Queensland venue, the Lakeside Tribute doubled as the opening event of the Queensland Raceways season.

Headlined by the Queensland Touring Car Championship (QTCC), and supported by the Australian Trans-Am Series, QR Sports and Sedans, Group N, Production Sports and the Queensland Sportscar Championship, the 2018 edition had something for everyone.

Continue reading for full race results, but for a full race report, from the 2018 Lakeside Tribute, click HERE.

Historic Touring Cars Pole: Peter Baguley (1:00.3003)

Australian Trans-Am Pole: Russell Wright (59.1521)

Race 1 1st Peter Baguley 2nd Grahame Wrobel 3rd Bruce Dummett

Race 1 1st Russell Wright 2nd John English 3rd Anthony Tenkate

Race 2 1st Peter Baguley 2nd Grahame Wrobel 3rd Norm Singleton

Race 2 1st Russell Wright 2nd Anthony Tenkate 3rd Alwyn Bishop

Race 3 1st Peter Baguley 2nd Grahame Wrobel 3rd David Waddington

Race 3 1st Russell Wright 2nd Anthony Tenkate 3rd John English

Race 4 1st Grahame Wrobel 2nd David Streat 3rd Peter England

Race 4 1st Russell Wright 2nd Anthony Tenkate 3rd Alwyn Bishop

Fastest Lap: Claude Ciccotelli (1:01.4909 | Race 4 – Lap 7)

Fastest Lap: Russell Wright (59.9843 | Race 1 – Lap 4)

RACE EXPERIENCES Get in the drivers seat today!

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Production Sports Pole: Wayne Hennig (54.7546)

QTCC | Classes A1 & A2 Pole: Steve Hay (56.9105)

QTCC: Class B Pole: John Phoenix (1:02.4543)

Race 1 1st Wayne Hennig 2nd John Prefontaine 3rd Jeremy Norris

Race 1 1st Steve Hay (A1) 2nd Murray Kent (A1) 3rd Ashley Hooper (A1) 4th Gary Anger (A2)

Race 1 1st Andrew Knight 2nd John Phoenix 3rd Mark Hyde

Race 2 1st Wayne Hennig 2nd John Prefontaine 3rd Jeremy Norris Race 3 1st Wayne Hennig 2nd John Prefontaine 3rd Graham Lusty Race 4 1st Wayne Hennig 2nd John Prefontaine 3rd Greg Quince

Rac

Rac

Race 2 1st Murray Kent (A1) 2nd Ashley Hooper (A1) 3rd Gary Anger (A2) Race 3 1st Murray Kent (A1) 2nd Steve Hay (A1) 3rd Ashley Hooper (A1) 4th Gary Anger (A2)

Rac

Race 4 1st Steve Hay (A1) 2nd Murray Kent (A1) 3rd Ashley Hooper (A1) 4th Gary Anger (A2)

Race 2 1st Andrew Knight 2nd Mark Hyde 3rd Leo Graae

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Race 3 1st Andrew Knight 2nd John Phoenix 3rd Leo Graae

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Race 4 1st Andrew Knight 2nd Mark Hyde 3rd Leo Graae

a s c i i n i C i S n s orp Spr ngD t p i i g n n o r rate i H g g n r i a Drif ntingD ifting Rappy LEavpents Drift ting S sD t r c i a n Dra gMBourno gs Sprin ingB raging D urn gs Cr to Ride Duts Dri tingMoutorno s D ftin C Ride uts B o Ri ou t Co uis ays d Fastest Lap: Wayne Hennig (55.3524 | Race 3 – Lap 5)

Spr

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Fastest Lap: John Phoenix (1:01.9682 | Race 3 - Lap 10)

de D

Fastest Lap: Steve Hay (57.1031 | Race 3 - Lap 7)

ays

Lakeside is proudly supported by

Recreation & Competitive Event Resource & Support Pty Ltd

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Get your licence ready! Its time to get on track!

1800 RACERS | www.racers.world

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QLD SPORTSCAR CHAMP Pole: Dave Barram (49.4516) Race 1 1st Dave Barram 2nd Chris Purvis 3rd Grant Green Race 2 1st Dave Barram 2nd Grant Green 3rd Carmelo Bonaventura Race 3 1st Dave Barram 2nd Carmelo Bonaventura 3rd Grant Green Race 4 1st Dave Barram 2nd Carmelo Bonaventura 3rd Chris Purvis Race 5 1st Dave Barram 2nd Chris Purvis 3rd Grant Green Fastest Lap: Dave Barram (50.2638 | Race 1 – Lap 3)

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QR Sports and Sedans Pole Position: Sam Collins (56.8549) Race 1 1st George Kulig (SP) 2nd Sam Collins (SP) 3rd Grant Spaninks (SD) Race 2 1st George Kulig (SP) 2nd Grant Spaninks (SD) 3rd Sam Collins (SP) Race 3 1st George Kulig (SP) 2nd Grant Spaninks (SD) Greg McIntyre (SP) Race 4 1st Sam Collins (SP) 2nd Grant Spaninks (SD) 3rd George Kulig (SP) Fastest Lap: George Kulig (56.4687 | Race 1 – Lap 4)

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NEWS

THE ALL NEW RACERS APP The team at RACERS are committed to providing efficient and user-friendly services to their customers, and, as such, we are pleased to announce the launch of our RACERS APP. The RACERS APP enables customers to purchase their RACERS licence, view our event calendar, and enter events from their smart phone (iPhone or Android) or tablet.

A popular feature also enables you to attach an identification photo and view your RACERS licence with one touch of the APP, thereby eliminating the need to carry a plastic licence card, and a second form of identification when you participate in events.

You can download the RACERS App from your chosen app store NOW, by searching ‘RACERS licencing’ The RACERS APP is our way of embracing modern technology, and will allow our customers to access everything they need, to particpate in a RACERS sanctioned event, in one place, at the click of a finger.

Should you have any queries or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us: RACERS: 0459 775 688 | admin@racers.world NEW LOOK FOR QR TOWER Hi-Tec Oils signs 5-year deal to sponsor QR Control Tower The exterior of the Queensland Raceway office, control tower and commentary box received a face-lift in July, as Hi-Tec Oils took over the naming rights of the building, located on the Dick Johnson Straight.

This agreement, which runs for the next five years, continues Hi-Tec Oils growing presence in Motorsport - the company also sponsors the annual Bathurst 6 Hour, and the Australian FX-Superbike Championship.

8 | The QuaRterly magazine

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA VEE CHAMPIONSHIP | ROUND 1

THOMAS VICTORIOUS IN MAIDEN LAKESIDE VISIT.

After a challenging Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour campaign, Dylan Thomas left Bathurst, stopped in Sydney, swapped his Mitsubishi Evo for his trusty Formula Vee, and headed to Lakeside Park, a circuit he’d never raced at before, for the opening round of the 2018 Australian Formula Vee Series, and came away victorious.

The Sydney driver won two of the three races contested, and did so by the narrowest of margins, on both occasions.

The event marked the first time that national-level Formula Vee competition had been held at Lakeside Park since the circuit re-opened in 2008, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

FOR A FULL RACE REPORT. CLICK HERE.

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Australian Formula Vee Series Pole Position: Curtis Porter (1:02.0362) Race 1 1st Dylan Thomas 2nd Curtis Porter 3rd Michael Kinsella Race 2 1st Dylan Thomas 2nd Curtis Porter 3rd Simon Pace Race 3 1st Curtis Porter 2nd Dylan Thomas 3rd David Caisley QLD Race 4 1st Wade McLean 2nd Curtis Porter 3rd David Campbell Fastest Lap: Simon Pace (1:02.1406 | Race 1 – Lap 12)

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Roll Racing Brisbane takes centre stage, at Queensland Raceways, on eleven different Saturday nights throughout the year, and continues to enjoy a strong spectator following.

The premise of Roll Racing sits within the event title itself - it’s Drag Racing, but with a rolling start.

From the green light to the chequered flag, there’s just 200 metres of race track - precious little time for two cars to fght for victory.

Up to 110 competitors participate in any Roll Racing event, and they do so in a wide variety of different machines, from a wide range of different manufacturers - Holden, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan vehicles all feature prominently, as well as the odd Supercar, and even utility vehicles, strangely enough.

Roll Racing commences at 6pm, and each event concludes with an ‘eliminator’, - starting at 9pm, to determine which is the fastest car at the event The Roll Racing brand stretches beyond Brisbane as well - events are also run in Sydney, at Sydney Motorsport Park, and in Perth, at Barbagallo Raceway, throughout the year.

ROLL RACING 2018 SEPTEMBER 1 OCTOBER 13 DECEMBER 1 10 | The QuaRterly magazine

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SHANNONS

BMW and Lotus shared the spoils in the second round of the Australian Production Car Series, which was held at Queensland Raceway, as part of the fourth round of the 2018 Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals.

The highlight of the event, as it has been for the last five years, was the ‘Fight in the Night’ on Saturday evening, which was won by the BMW M4, of Beric Lynton and Tim Leahey.

The time lost, while removing and replacing the tyre, put the early leaders out of contention.

The other Lotus, of Ryan Simpson and Jim Pollicina, struggled through the final portion of the race with gearbox dramas, but Simpson was able to nurse the car to the chequered flag.

The race, scheduled for 96 laps, went time-certain at 7:30pm AEST, after 93 laps. It took three attempts to get the race started - originally scheduled for For Lynton, it was his third win in the 4:45pm, the lights went out at 5:05pm showpiece event of the APC season, – after the Saloon Car of Brock Mitchbut his first in the M3 – a car that has ell and Phil Brock struck drama on the delivered great success, for Lynton and opening formation lap, and the Kia Leahey, since its race debut earlier this Proceed of Ellexandra Best and Jason year.

Walsh coming to a halt on the second.

Jim Pollicina and Ryan Simpson charged home, in the Lotus, to take second position, ahead of the BMW M4 of, Bathurst 6 Hour winners, Grant and Iain Sherrin.

Third time lucky, the race got going, but was neutralised, through Safety Car interventions, on four occasions throughout the evening, most notably for the Suzuki Swift, with Ryan Epa at the wheel, that spectacularly rolled at turn four. While the car was out for the night, the driver walked away OK.

From there, the duo wasn’t challenged – they led 92 of the 96 laps, on their way to a seven-second victory. It was far more commanding and dominant than that, but a late Safety Car intervention bunched the field up.

Race two victory was enough for Denyer and D’Alberto to claim fourth outright for the weekend. The round was won by Beric Lynton and Tim Leahey, ahead of Grant and Iain Sherrin, with Kyle and Tony Alford’s Lotus rounding out the podium.

While the APC racing was the headline act, there was plenty of other great racing across the weekend as well.

Queensland Sportscar Championship ace, Dave Barram, took a clean sweep in the latest round of the Australian Prototype Series, ahead of Jason Makris and Sage Murdoch.

In the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge, Cooper Murray won a Early predictions hinted at a Lotus thrilling Jim Richards Endurance Trovictory, but there were questions over phy race on Saturday afternoon, but their reliability, which filled the BMW was unable to back that up on Sunday. entries with confidence, but reliability The results of race 1 set the grid for Simon Fallon, who finished fifth wasn’t an issue for the category’s new- race 2, which was far less eventful, and in the opening race, bounced back est cars, instead bad luck. ran full distance. to win both of the shorter races on Sunday, and claim the overall round Grant Denyer and Tony D’Alberto Grant Denyer and Tony D’Alberto win, ahead of Max Vidau and Chelsea failed to convert pole position, despite took a commanding victory, ahead of Angelo, who had a thrilling weekGrant and Iain Sherrin, with Kyle and end-long battle with defending Toyota leading much of the opening half of the race. Shortly after their pit-stop, Tony Alford rounding out the podium. 86 Racing Series champion, Jimmy D’Alberto drove the car back into Vernon.

Starting from 21st, Denyer pulled off pit-lane, where he stayed for several Cooper Murray was fifth. a scintillating start, to be leading the minutes, as a result of a massive tyre race by the end of the fifth lap. delamination.

12 | The QuaRterly magazine

NATIONALS

C

Steven Tamasi claimed round honours in the National Sports Sedans Series, ahead of Phil Crompton and Shane Woodman. Despite being excluded from race 1, Thomas Randle bounced back to finish fourth in the round, with victory in the final two races of the weekend.

Queensland’s Series X3 Championship returned to the Shannons Nationals support bill, for the second time, and didn’t disappoint.

After three thrilling races, it was Brock Giblin who emerged victorious, ahead of Brett Parrish and Cam Wilson.

Giblin took a commanding win in Race 1, before Wilson bounced back from a difficult Saturday, to grab two wins on Sunday.

The Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals continues, at Winton Motor Raceway, on the opening weekend of September.

qldraceways.com.au

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ONGB ARK, KURW L A K E S ID E P

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AH

Bathurst Legend to Attend Lakeside Classic Bathurst Legend to Attend Lakeside Classic Four-time Australian Touring Car Champion, and seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner, Jim Richards will be the special guest of this year’s Lakeside Classic, which will be staged, at the iconic Lakeside Park, next weekend.

Richards, a three-time ATCC round winner (1985, 1987 and 1991) at Lakeside, will be in attendance for the duration of the event, which commences with unofficial practice on Friday.

Headlining the racing program will be Round 4 of the Racer Industries Queensland Touring Car Championship. The Lakeside Classic marks the start of the second-half of their 2018 season, their second of three visits to Lakeside Park in 2018.

Nearly forty entries have been confirmed for this round of the series, meaning no shortage of action across their two racing groups.

Round 4 of the Performance Wheels Australian Trans-Am Series will also be held as part of the Lakeside Classic. Round 4 was originally scheduled to take place at Queensland Raceway ‘Gentleman Jim’ will be on hand to last month, but was postponed until sign autographs, pose for photos, November, meaning the Lakeside and ‘meet and greet’ spectators Classic now becomes the fourth event across the weekend, with thanks in the six-round championship. to our friends at Shannons.

Shannons will sponsor a new addiBefore he heads to Lakeside, the tion to the on-track program in 2018, motor racing legend will host a the Muscle Car Sprints. ‘sponsors ride day’ at Queensland Raceway, on Thursday, where he’ll take customers, and a Shannons competition winner, around the 3.12km Ipswich venue, in his Porsche GT3 RS. Richards is the latest drawcard to be confirmed for the August 1012 event, which will also feature Matt Mingay and the Hot Wheels Stunt Team strutting their stuff, on pit straight, at different times throughout the course of the weekend.

14 | The QuaRterly magazine

The sprints will see competitors race against the clock, in their quest for victory.

Rounding out the program will be the Group N Historic Touring Cars.

It will be the third time Group N has featured in a race meeting at Lakeside in 2018, and it’s a category that always delivers great racing. Older spectators particularly enjoy Group N, as it’s a flashback to the racing they grew up with, and the category remains strong in 2018 – no less than twenty-six cars lined up in June, when the category featured on the ‘2 Days of Thunder’ program, at Queensland Raceway.

Jim Richards, Matt Mingay, great racing – what’s not to like about the Lakeside Classic in 2018?

It should be a fantastic weekend, and it all starts with unofficial practice on Friday morning.

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2018 EXCEL CUP | ROUND 1

SHERIDAN AND WHITTINGTON SHARE SPOILS AT LAKESIDE

BPRO’s Newest Recruit Wins Opening Round of ‘18 Season The opening round of the 2018 Track Attack Australia Cup promised fireworks, and it delivered.

After a five-and-a-half month summer break, the hugely popular one-make series returned, bigger and better than ever, for a four-race program that saw Darren Whittington emerged victorious, after a thrilling weekend of competition, in which he and John Sheridan shared the spoils, with two wins apiece.

Right throughout the paddock, there were new cars, drivers, liveries and teams, as the fraternity presented their polished machines and fresh looks at the dawn of the new season.

To view the FULL report, click HERE.

16 | The QuaRterly magazine

2018 Track Attack Australia Excel Cup | Round 1.

Pole Position Daniel Peasey (1:05.5805) Race 1A 1st John Sheridan 2nd Cam Wilson 3rd Daniel Peasey Race 2A 1st John Sheridan 2nd Darren Whittington 3rd Daniel Peasey Race 3A 1st Darren Whittington 2nd John Sheridan 3rd Simon Winters Race 1B 1st Cliff Sedgley

Race 4 1st Darren Whittington, 2nd Cam Wilson, 3rd Tyrone Gautier

Race 2B 1st Ben Smith Race 3B 1st Aaron Cameron Fastest Lap: Daniel Natoli – 1:03.8950 (Race 4 – Lap 5) Championship Points After Round 1 1st Darren Whittington 2nd John Sheridan 3rd Frank Mammarella 4th Scott Green 5th Cam Wilson

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88 73 72 70 60

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INDEPENDENCE DAY

Lakeside’s annual ‘All American Independence Day’ was held on Sunday, July 8 - four days after 4th of July celebrations were held in across the United States.

The All American Day is one of several big theme days held at Lakeside Park each year.

Other theme days include: All Aussie Fair Dinkum Day (March), All Aussie Fathers Day (September), Euro Day (April), All Asian Day (November), plus TWO Chrome Bar Bonanza events (May and October).

Theme days are open to owners of car makes and models from the target region of each specific theme day.

Each theme day consists of multiple cruise sessions, as well as ‘Show ‘n’ Shine, plus Off-Street Drag Racing OR Sprints, depending on the theme day.

For more information, visit qldraceways.com.au.

18 | The QuaRterly magazine

2018 THEME DAYS LAKESIDE PARK

September 2 October 28 November 25

All Aussie Fathers Day Chrome Bar Bonanza #2 All Asian Day

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Cassells, Semway and Nissan win captivating Willowbank 300.

A 300km race with only twelve cars didn’t seem like a great recipe, but it was.

Woodward and Scott Simpson, who would later secure it, with the fastest time in the Top Nine Shootout.

McLennan later confirmed that electrical dramas were to blame for the car not taking the start.

The fifth edition of the Willowbank 300 delivered the great drama and racing we’ve come to expect from the event in the past, along with the closest ever finish, and two new winners, as Jason Cassells and Ken Semway secured theirs and Nissan’s first win in the Willowbank 300, but not without some drama along the way.

Up until the Shootout, there were no cars in Division 1, potentially leaving us with a race in which all cars only had to complete one compulsory pit-stop, but that all changed with the final run of the Shootout, when Scott Simpson blasted to pole position in 1:20.4969 – over half-a-second faster than the provisional pole time the car set on Saturday afternoon, and a time that saw the car break into Division 1.

Off the start, the Ford Mustang, with Graham Woodward at the wheel, converted pole position into an early race lead.

In total, six different manufacturers were represented, and following qualifying, they were split into five different divisions. For the first time in this event, there were no cars in either Division 3 or 6.

It wasn’t long before their peace was disturbed, with Jason Simes charging through from eighth on the grid to challenge for the lead of the race.

The pair exchanged blows for a handful of laps before, finally, Simes While this race has been won from cemented his position at the head Division 1 in the past, it was highly of the race, but that was short lived, unlikely that it would be in 2018, and because, on Lap 13, the Simes/Walsh with Simpson and Woodward now BMW M3 reported to pit-lane, and contesting that division, and thus being never returned to the race track.

Several cars struck trouble in Saturrequired to undertake a second 5-minday practice, leaving only nine cars ute stop, the race for outright honours The unscheduled pit-stop, which taking to the track for provisional was flung wide open. came before the pit-window had qualifying – I say provisional, because even opened, was the result of the car all nine cars would secure a spot in, Before the race even began, there was suffering a drive failure, and despite what turned out to be, the Top Nine drama in pit-lane, where Cameron Mc- their best efforts, the crew were Shootout.

Lean and Scott McLennan’s Mitsubishi unable to fix that problem, forcing Mirage just didn’t want to fire.

Simes and Walsh into an early retireFor the three cars that failed to qualify, ment, which was greatly disappointtheir grid positions were determined The pair, and their team, continued to ing for the duo, given their start, and by their fastest times from the earlier work on the car, as the rest of the field the pace and promised they showed practice sessions. took the green flag, in a desperate bid in the opening laps. to join the race, but after going many Provisional pole position was claimed laps down, they eventually gave up any The Cassells/Semway entry visitby the Ford Mustang of Graham hope of contesting the race, and placed ed the lane before the pit-window the car into retirement. opened as well. The team reported 20 | The QuaRterly magazine

that they’d lost all of their telemetry data, which was making life difficult for Jayson Cassells, but he also had a seat belt come loose, which he decided, purely with safety in mind, to come in and have fixed. He was running second at the time of the stop, and resumed down in sixth position.

From there, the race settled into a rhythm. Cassells cruised back through the field, picking off Holdt on Lap 29, and Bruce Forsyth on Lap 32, to be running in fourth position, behind the Toyota 86 of Dylan Cothill and Trent Laves. Graham Woodward and Scott Simpson (Ford Mustang) continued to lead the race, ahead of Greg Quince and Geoff Fane (Nissan 370Z), but, with Woodward and Simpson having to stop twice, as per race regulations, they were fast slipping out of the equation for outright honours.

The battle for division seven was hotting up. Gabriel Gasperak and Nick McLeod – the youngest team on the grid – took the class lead, away from John Sheridan, on Lap 37. The youngsters were in a good position to claim class honours IF they maintained their speed, and had a smooth pit-stop, because they only had to make one stop, whereas the Sheridan/Faulkner/Ross entry would have to stop twice, due to running a three-

qldraceways.com.au

driver team.

Trent Laves.

The Woodward/Simpson entry continued to lead the race, and was punching out consistent fast times, as they tried to build as big a lead as possible, before reporting to the lane for its second compulsory stop.

While claiming the outright win was looking unlikely, they weren’t giving up without a tremendous fight.

As the pit-window closed, Ken Semway (#7), Michael James (#146), Nick McLeod (#195) and Dan Ross (#5) were all given penalties for completing their stop in UNDER five minutes.

With Semway in the lane, the Toyota 86 of Trent Laves took the outright lead of the Willowbank 300, with just 15 laps to go, but, there was a sting in the tail still to come.

Sadly, for the division four entry of Nathan Townsend and Troy Adams, their race came undone while they were completing their compulsory pit-stop. With the driver swap complete, Adams was ready to resume, but, despite having a revving engine, the car didn’t want to cooperate, leaving the Division Four competitors stranded, and leaving their crew totally unsure as to what the issue was.

Eventually, the Falcon did return to the circuit, and take the chequered flag, but having lost so many laps, with that issue, in pit-lane, they failed to complete 75% race distance, and were listed as non-finishers in the race results.

As Woodward and Simpson completed their second compulsory stop, Ken Semway took the outright lead of the race, ahead of the Toyota 86 of

Moments after the Toyota took the lead, we had our first, and ONLY, clampdown of the 2018 Willowbank 300, as the Division 7 Hyundai of Nick McLeod, who, along with Gabriel Gasperak, had run so well all day, sadly found itself bogged in the sandtrap at turn 3, which ended any chance of a fairy-tale division win for the youngest combo in the field.

The #195 was able to resume, but would finish 15 laps down (7 laps down on the Division 7 winning car of John Sheridan, Dan Ross and Jayden Faulkner), in ninth position – the last of the classified finishers.

The closing stages of the 300 held everyones’ attention, as Ken Semway continued to chase down Trent Laves, but it soon became clear that he’d left his run just a fraction too late, leav-

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ing Cothill and Laves breathing sighs of relief that the race wasn’t a lap longer than the scheduled 96.

Neither Nissan or Toyota had previously won a Willowbank 300, and as the chequered flag fell, it was the division 4 entry of Dylan Cothill and Trent Laves claiming a 1.6 second victory in their Toyota 86, ahead of Cassells and Semway.

sions and four different manufacturers represented in the top four, while Chris Holdt and Phil Weeks rounded out the top five, in their BMW. Division 7 was won by John Sheridan, Dan Ross and Jayden Faulkner, who came home in seventh position outright.

Post-Race, the drama continued off the track, as Jayson Cassells and Ken SemA little further down the road, Michael way argued their case with senior ofJames and Bruce Forsyth rounded ficials of the meeting, as they believed out the podium, and secured the win that they shouldn’t have been penalised in Division 5. The BMW was just 18 over the duration of their pit-stop. seconds ahead of the Mustang in the race for that final spot on the podium. They were right to challenge the deciWoodward and Simpson were fourth, sion, as there was a misinterpretation of the regulations regarding the comand the best of division 1. pulsory pit-stop window.

With that, we saw four different divi-

The minimum time for a compulsory pit-stop in the Willowbank 300 is FIVE MINUTES, but no car has to be stationary for the whole 300 seconds, as the window includes the transit time from pit-entry to pit-exit.

With that in mind, officials overturned the penalty handed out to Cassells and Semway, which saw them awarded the victory, ahead of Dylan Cothill and Trent Laves, thus handing Nissan its first win in the Willowbank 300.

For the fourth consecutive year, the pole curse struck again, and a car from Division 2 has walked away with outright honours, after two hours and twenty-seven minutes of racing – it was the third-fastest 300 on record, behind 2015 and 2014, and only 33 seconds faster than Karl Begg and Glenn Trigger’s winning time from 2017.

The Queensland Endurance Championship concludes with the third running of the Lakeside 300 on September 30.

2018 Willowbank 300 | Queensland Raceway | 96 Laps | 299.52km Pos

Div

#

Drivers

Car

Laps

Race Time

1

2

7

Jayson Cassells/Ken Semway

Nissan 180X

96

2:27:54.2231

2

4

72

Dylan Cothill/Trent Laves

Toyota 86

96

+0.2018

3

5

146 Bruce Forsyth/Michael James

BMW E46

95

+ 1 Lap

4

1

98

Graham Woodward/Scott Simpson

Ford Mustang

95

+ 1 Lap

7

7

5

John Sheridan/Jayden Faulkner/Dan Ross Hyundai Excel Pole Position: Graham Woodward/Scott Simpson | 1:20.4969

88

+ 8 Laps

Fastest Lap: Scott Simpson | 1:21.7062 (Lap 77) 22 | The QuaRterly magazine

SUPERBIKES RETURN TO LAKESIDE PARK 2018 Dunlop Super Series Round 2 The racing was fantastic, particularly in the 400 Supersport division, where Callum Barker got the better of Seth Crump – the son of speedway ace, Jason – and Keo Watson. Dan Thomas was the best of the 301-350cc bikes, in The event took place under clear blue what was a terrific scrap for outright honours. skies, in front of a very healthy and enthusiastic crowd, and was made possible following the completion of Callum Barker backed up his 400 Supersport efforts, to take outright major upgrade works, right around honours in the Supersport/AM-Sport the facility - including a full resurfacing of the ‘bus stop’ section of the 600 ranks, ahead of Andrew Edser and circuit, and the installation of tyre bar- Dave Wilson. riers at the final corner, which saw the Murray Clark (P6) and Scott Sullivan pre-existing concrete barrier moved (250) were comprehensive class winback several metres. ners in Formula QLD, while Andrew Thompson got the better of Brendan Overall, the response was extremely McIntyre and Michael Edwards in the positive - riders loved racing at the FX Superbikes, after Adrian Pierpoint venue, and can’t wait to come back missed the opening three races. in September, hopeful that there’ll be plenty more opportunities to race on the 2.41km circuit in the years to come.

The long awaited return of Superbike Racing, to Lakeside Park, was been deemed a great success, following Round 2 of the Dunlop Super Series, on June 15, 16 and 17.

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September is shaping up to be a massive month of two-wheel action at Lakeside Park. On September 8 and 9, the annual ‘Lord of the Lake’ historic meeting will be staged, before the Hi-Tec Oils Australian FX-Superbike Championship makes it first visit to Lakeside Park, with Round 3 of the 2018 campaign to be held from September 21-23.

Queensland’s Dunlop Super Series will also be decided at that event, but not before the penultimate round is held at Queensland Raceway, from August 10-12.

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y a d i r F t h g i N t f i r D ‘18

Friday Night Drift - one of the more popular recreational events hosted by Queensland Raceways - is held sixteen times throughout the year, where the general public have the chance to go drifting in a controlled environment.

Each time ‘Friday Night Drift’ is staged, a maximum of 100 cars will take to the 3.12km circuit, AND the venue’s skid pan, to get their adrenalin rush.

The on-track action commences at 6pm, with the track closing at 9:30pm and the Skid Pan at 10pm.

In addition to Friday Night Drift, the venue hosts no less than nine Morning Session Drift events throughout the year - all of which are held on a Wednesday or Thursday morning.

When it comes to Drifting, the biggest events staged at Queensland Raceways annually are the Autumn and Spring Matsuri, where 250 entrants take to the circuit, across a full weekend of track and skidpan action.

For information on how to get involved in these events, simply visit racers.world, or qldraceways.com.au.

24 | The QuaRterly magazine

Morning Session Drift 2018

Thursday September 6 Thursday November 15

Thursday October 25 Wednesday December 12

Friday Night Drift 2018 August 31 September 28 October 19 November 9 November 30 December 21

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Scott McLaughlin came to Queensland Raceway with a 131-point lead in the 2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, and he left with the same margin, after he and Shane Van Gisbergen both scored a race win in the 2018 Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint.

The Kiwis dominated the ninth event of the season, with McLaughlin winning Race 19, on the Saturday, and the 2016 claiming victory in the Sunday race – the twentieth of the season.

Scott McLaughlin continued his incredible qualifying form. He swept the weekend, claiming pole position for both races – his ninth and tenth Armor All Pole Awards of the season, but was only able to convert one of those into a race win – his seventh of 2018.

The opening race of the weekend was an absolute belter. McLaughlin took an early lead, and eventually won by over four seconds, but behind him, the battle for the minor placings was rather fiercely fought, between Fabian Coulthard and the Triple Eight trio of Shane Van Gisbergen, 26 | The QuaRterly magazine

McLaughlin and Van Gisbergen Share the Spoils in Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint

Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes, who was contesting his final races at Queensland Raceway, ahead of his retirement from full-time Supercars competition at the end of the season.

ders for Lowndes. The three-time series champion started Race 1 in 10th position, and worked his way up to seventh prior to stopping on Lap 11.

Chaz Mostert was in the thick of After a poor qualifying, a tremendous the action in the closing stages, but start from Shane Van Gisbergen saw when he lost fifth place, to Jamie Whincup, his hopes for a podium him leap from eighth to third on the finish slipped away. opening lap of the race, where he stayed until lap 13, when he displaced Whincup stayed fifth for several laps, before finally getting by Fabian Fabian Coulthard, to take second Coulthard, for fourth, on the penulposition. timate lap of the race.

McLaughlin pitted on that same lap, which saw Van Gisbergen take the McLaughlin gradually eased away from Van Gisbergen and co, and lead, but running a longer opening stint didn’t pay off for the 2016 series recorded a relatively comfortable champion, who re-joined behind the 4-second victory, ahead of Van Gisbergen and Lowndes, who narrowly current championship leader, after completing his compulsory pit-stop. held onto the final spot on the podium, ahead of a fast-finishing Jamie By the end of the pit-stop cycle, the Whincup. man who has more Supercar wins at QR than anyone, Craig Lowndes, had All twenty-seven cars finished the race, and the 2010 Series Champifound his way to third position, behind McLaughlin and Van Gisbergen, on, James Courtney, despite only and he was applying serious pressure finishing eighth, set a new race lap to his Triple Eight team-mate, in an record, for a Supercar at Queensland attempt to get into second position, Raceway. but it wasn’t to be.

Courtney already held the circuit race lap record, but lowered the The ‘undercut’ strategy worked won- mark to 1:09.6591, on the lap 21 of

the opening race of the weekend.

The final race of the weekend wasn’t as exciting as the first, but didn’t lack drama.

Off the start, Shane Van Gisbergen, who was starting six places further up the gird than he did on Saturday, got another belter of a start, and you could argue that the 65-lap affair was won there and then.

It was an important win for Van Gisbergen, who ensured that, in terms of the championship fight, there’s was nothing gained, but more importantly, nothing lost, at the end of Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint weekend – McLaughlin still holds a 131-point lead, ahead of the Red Rooster Sydney SuperNight, at Sydney Motorsport Park, on the opening weekend of August.

Chaz Mostert scored third in Race 20 – his first podium finish of the season – a long overdue visit to the podium for the 2014 SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winner.

The Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint will return in 2019.

Unfortunately for James Courtney, his race ended on the opening lap, when he got tangled up in an incident involving his own team-mate, Scott Pye, and Mark Winterbottom, who became the innocent victim in the turn 4 shunt.

Pye resumed relatively unscathed, but Winterbottom’s race was compromised – he lost four laps in pitlane, and was the last of the classified finishers, in 26th position.

Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint Event 9 of 16

Race 19 1. Scott McLaughlin 2. Shane Van Gisbergen 3. Craig Lowndes 4. Jamie Whincup 5. Fabian Coulthard Pole: Scott McLaughlin (1:08.5014) Fastest Lap: James Courtney (1:09.6591*) McLaughlin later stated that his purRace 20 suit of Van Gisbergen was hampered 1. Shane Van Gisbergen by worn tyres. The DJR Team Penske 2. Scott McLaughlin pilot pitted, for his second and final 3. Chaz Mostert stop, two laps earlier than Van Gis4. Jamie Whincup bergen, who scored the win by just 5. Fabian Coulthard two seconds, after 65 laps, 78 minPole: Scott McLaughlin (1:08.4900) utes of flat-out racing – both Virgin Fastest Lap: Tim Slade (1:09.8397) Australia Supercars Championship races ran Safety Car free.

At the front, Van Gisbergen was in the box seat all afternoon, and despite McLaughlin’s best efforts, he was unable to match the Holden driver in the closing stages, who went onto claim his fourth win of the season.

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Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint Points Standings | After Race 20 1. Scott McLaughlin 2321 2. Shane Van Gisbergen 2190 3. Jamie Whincup 1870 4. David Reynolds 1838 5. Craig Lowndes 1821 6. Fabian Coulthard 1652 7. Rick Kelly 1522 8. Chaz Mostert 1517 9. Scott Pye 1489 10. Tim Slade 1397 While the Virgin Australia Supercar Championship was the feature of the event, there was plenty of great action in the support category racing as well.

Jayden Ojeda claimed a clean-sweep in the PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship. The perfect weekend saw the Sydney-based driver claim the championship lead, heading into the next round at Winton Motor Raceway, on the opening weekend of September.

Queensland’s Cameron Shields claimed second for the round, ahead of Aaron Love.

In the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, Tyler Everingham won the opening two races of the weekend, before his team-mate, Zak Best, scored victory in the final race of the weekend, and with it, secured the round. The pair were tied on points, but pole position and the win in Race 3 saw Best prevail, on countback.

Despite not winning a race, Justin Ruggier claimed round honours in the latest round of the Aussie Racing Car Series, ahead of Joel Heinrich and Blake Scibberas. Ruggier finished third in the opening three races, and second in the fourth.

Race 1 was won by Kyle Ensbey, Heinrich claimed races two and four, while Scibberas drove away from the pack, to claim a comfortable win in race three.

28 | The QuaRterly magazine

The East Coast Bullbars SuperUtes round was marred by a massive rollover for Michael Sieders, at the start of race 3. Sieders was the innocent party, unfortunately, as he was clipped by Tom Alexander, who was re-joining the circuit, after getting crossed up on the exit of turn 1.

Sieders rolled multiple times, a wheel parted company with the vehicle, and Sieders ute came to a halt, upside down, on a tyre barrier, on the outside of the circuit, at turn two.

Thankfully, Sieders walked away unharmed, and no spectators were injured in the incident.

Ryal Harris won the opening race of the weekend, Tom Alexander won Race 2 and Craig Woods won Race 3. Victory in that final race saw Woods claim the round win, by just one point, from Alexander, with Ryal Harris taking third – just four points separated the three of them, in the fight for round honours.

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COMING UP QUEENSLAND RACEWAY AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBER 28 OCTOBER 19 NOVEMBER 9 NOVEMBER 30 DECEMBER 21

y a d i Fr t h g i N t f i r D ‘18 QUEENSLAND RACEWAY SEPTEMBER 1 OCTOBER 13 DECEMBER 1

LAKESIDE PARK SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16 SUNDAY DECEMBER 9 | CHRISTMAS BASH

QUEENSLAND RACEWAY SATURDAY AUGUST 25 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23 SATURDAY OCTOBER 13 SATURDAY OCTOBER 27 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10 SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25 30 | The QuaRterly magazine

Queensland RACEWAYS MORE THAN RACING

ROUND 5 | SEPTEMBER 15-16 QUEENSLAND RACEWAY ROUND 6 | NOVEMBER 17-18 LAKESIDE PARK

Queensland RACEWAYS QUEENSLAND RACEWAY MONDAY OCTOBER 1 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24 FRIDAY DECEMBER 21

LAKESIDE PARK SUNDAY AUGUST 26 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15 SATURDAY OCTOBER 13 SATURDAY NOVEMBER 10 SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 FRIDAY DECEMBER 14

SUNDAY OCTOBER 21 LAKESIDE PARK SATURDAY DECEMBER 1 LAKESIDE PARK

TO ENTER: WWW.RACERS.WORLD OR THE RACERS APP FOR MORE INFO: WWW.QLDRACEWAYS.COM.AU

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