Lakeside Near The Starting Line

[lakesideguy]

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts' sources confirm that at least three of the seven organisations invited by the Pine Rivers Shire Council to manage Lakeside International Raceway have declined to tender for the business. It is understood that those who decided not to submit business proposals were not strong supporters of amatuer motorsport.

"We know the organisations that have made submissions have taken it very seriously and conducted themselves in a professional manner. We can only hope the Council will see fit to reciprocate in kind and finally deliver a return for ratepayers", said LMRE president Ian Milton.

A 20 year lease has reportedly been offered by the Council in exchange for limited track days at the former Australian Grand Prix circuit. It is not yet known if other restrictions will be applied to motorsport operations.

The historic track has suffered vandalism and neglect since the Pine River Shire Council purchase in 2001. Applicants are anticipating a need to invest in the facility's infrastructure and are confident of cooperation from motorsport's governing bodies to re-license the track.

The deadline for submissions was Friday, 26 May and tenderers are expecting a decision as early as mid-July 2006.

Ian Milton stated, "I'm pleased to see efforts heading in the right direction, but I still harbour concerns that the tender process is but a cynical ploy by Council to satisfy their obligations under the heritage deal!"

Additionally, the PRSC has been busy over the past few weeks demolishing the old office and barn, along with old toilet blocks.

However, essential motorsport items such as the racing surface and guard rails are protected for another four years by the deal with the Queensland Heritage Council that resulted in the removal of the heritage listing.

More info available at www.lakesideraceway.com.

Scott

Publicity Officer

Lakeside Motor Racing Enthusiasts, Inc.

[r33_racer]

The public dont like hoons on the streets, but they dont want race tracks around either cause of noise pollution or whatever their personal preference is regarding the matter. At least 75% of the qld police force is dedicated to making sure 'hoons' dont drive their cars on the roads, yet there are not enough tracks around so people can have their fun in a safe environment. Ive heard recently that Carnell raceway at Stanthorpe is now under attack from public cause of noise and whatever else is bugging the surrounding residents, last short circuit meeting had to be moved to Morgan Park because of it, and it maybe a possibility that there might not be anymore meets at Carnell.

I hope the council and parties involved all realise these things and do the right thing and allow the track to reopen even if it is for limited forms of motorsport, at least it will be a start.

Cant wait for the new track to open out at Kilcoy. Godbless the Historic Racers.

[Simonster]

The public dont like hoons on the streets, but they dont want race tracks around either cause of noise pollution or whatever their personal preference is regarding the matter. At least 75% of the qld police force is dedicated to making sure 'hoons' dont drive their cars on the roads, yet there are not enough tracks around so people can have their fun in a safe environment. Ive heard recently that Carnell raceway at Stanthorpe is now under attack from public cause of noise and whatever else is bugging the surrounding residents, last short circuit meeting had to be moved to Morgan Park because of it, and it maybe a possibility that there might not be anymore meets at Carnell.

I hope the council and parties involved all realise these things and do the right thing and allow the track to reopen even if it is for limited forms of motorsport, at least it will be a start.

Cant wait for the new track to open out at Kilcoy. Godbless the Historic Racers.

As reported elsewhere in this forum, the Kilcoy track is no more. The landowner has apparently pulled out of the deal, so the track isn't going ahead

Edited July 8, 2006 by Simonster

[GTRgeoff]

Now that is a pity. I was looking forward to it.

Slowmonster......is this your car??? Send me email for catchup.

[AzzurrA]

i believe with the Kilcoy track that the car club that was organising it (was it the MG Historical car club or something) are still looking at going ahead with it, however, it may not be at the same location.

i'm all for seeing lakeside re-opened, however it is an insurance nightmare for whoever takes it over, due to the track having little to no run-off areas in places, and the track starting to degrade due to little to no use over the last 4 or 5 years.

i was actually out there a while back for a skidpan day, probably about a year or so after the complex had closed (there's a small skidpan at the back of the track) and even then, you could see that the place was starting to fall apart due to lack of upkeep on the council's behalf.

don't get me wrong, i want to see it opened up again, however i can see it being a case of it may reopen, then the first time someone has a bit of an intimate encounter with the armco, they'll shut the place down again.

[hrd-hr30]

RE the condition of the track surface at Lakeside, its pretty much as it was last time I went to a general practice day in the weeks before it closed. I walked around it last summer reminiscing...

[r33_racer]

Yeh i know about it...the landowner pulled out cause of advice she received from her legal half...lawyer told her it wasnt in her best financial interests as it wouldnt pay itself off quick enough or something...i think i posted it all up in the other thread about the kilcoy track.