Lakeside - Some Very Good News!

[hrd-hr30]

I was lucky enough to get a drive around Lakeside yesterday in a private practice session that was being used as a test run for Lakeside's re-opening. Noise limits were strictly enforced at 92db, but only one car had to leave - a porsche race car. Its not actually re-opened for business yet, but things are really starting to happen. The control tower is no longer boarded up, and all glazing has been repaired. Some minor works have also started to fencing, and there were workmen there yesterday doing stuff as well. Track condition is basically unchanged from last time it was used in anger all those years ago. Some people used to complain about its bumps back then, but I reckon they are part of its character - particularly those under the fast sweeping right-hander under the bridge. It was soooo good to get back on that track! It really is a great racetrack - fast, challenging, and a little bit daunting for the less experienced - and old school racetrack that sorts the men from the boys! Looking forward to the first event there, and I'm going to get cracking on a nice quiet exhaust system for my little race car next week! I had to take the road car Supra out there yesterday. Still awesome fun driving around that track!

[Marlin]

Thought I spotted you there Wasn't sure if it was you as I didn't see your GTR. Nice driving in the Supra, looked good

[Marlin]

Coupla pics from yesterday....

Was trying to think when we were last there? Would that be around a year? You had your 32, I had my SuperMagna

Edited February 28, 2008 by Marlin

[hrd-hr30]

yeah, I was trying to work out when we were there last too. It was a while ago - before I bought the wheels for the GTR. I'll go through my receipts when I get home. I think it was in 2006 sometime. I have some pics from the day on my home PC, so the date on those files should give us the answer - if I can find the pics! What were you in this time?

The Supra handles pretty nice now - I've been playing around with the ride height alot to try and find a nice balance - it was pretty good yesterday. With real tyres it would be a pretty good thing.

[Marlin]

Yeh looked like it had good pace from the sideline. I was just there with my mate John (black 32 GTR), hiding from the sun in the back of my Jeep mainly. lol

It's been 5 or 6 years since he was there and boy was he stoked to get back out

I'm trying to get there Saturday to lend a bit more of a hand.

[hrd-hr30]

that was a very tidy GTR. Had a quick chat with him too at the end of the day.

[Duncan]

great news. road trip!

[hrd-hr30]

its definitely worth the trip for this track! one of the highest average speed tracks in the country with some very challenging and exciting corners. And how often do you hear of closed racetracks getting re-opened? will let you know when I hear of an event there.

Ben, I found one of the pics of the last time we were there. looks like it was July '06. longer ago than I thought!

[giant]

i went out there a few weekends ago and mowed the whole hill area on the front straight from the entry road right through to the kink, took all day!! the grass was about 5 feet high and bloody steep!!

looked good when finished tho, would have loved to have gone round the track!

[N1GTR]

great news. road trip!

Sounds good

Do it after superlap?

[eddieneedsboost]

Thats awesome news! I hope its not too long until it's open to the public. As I live less than 20mins away I'd be there every chance I can get

[Marlin]

Isn't it just great!

The track has so much to offer, from the diffcult to get right Carousel, under Dunlop bridge and into Hungary (my favourite!).

I live about 20 minutes away too, and this is the final seed I needed to get a car build underway

[Noddy]

I grew up near Lakeside, and learnt to attack a track there. We moved up to Warwick so we could live and work 10 min from a track that could offer a lap close to Lakeside. I will be down at the drop of a hat for a superlap or what ever, so happy to hear it is getting close again.

[260DET]

We used to go to the Sprints there, $40 for the half day IIRC, turbo Datsun 260Z for the scare. Its going to be interesting to see blokes there in powerful cars who have only ever known QR, well maybe not the robot 4WD'ers, real cars, two wheel drivers

[Duncan]

lets go! 3 wide under the bridge thanks. bTW I love bumps and its a tragedy that wakefield has been resurfaced. flat tracks like eastern creek and phillip island are easy and boring - give us a real challenge

[hrd-hr30]

that's what we like to hear! At least the bumps at Lakeside make it more challenging instead of just giving you a headache in the braking areas like QR's bumps. The stocko Supra (exhaust&teins) was puling about 180kph under the bridge (could only look at the speedo just before the braking area for hungary where it was on 180) on crappy Federals and couldn't quite go flat there due to the bumps throwing it a little bit sideways - awesome fun! Would be even better in a more powerful car on good tyres. I can't wait to see how the little Datto goes under there! The kink on the front straight is awesome too - speeds are a bit higher there.

I agree with 260DET, who I think I used to see out at Lakeside all those years ago at Datsun car club track days, people with high powered cars who've only ever been to QR are in for one hell of a surprise!

[Whiplash]

good news, Giant i saw some pics of the track after it had been cleaned up and it looked great

[hrd-hr30]

Hey Ben, your mate in the GTR was the fastest car on the straight (by the control tower) at 188kph - faster than those GT3 RS, the blue Porsche was next at 187 and the black/ orange one 185. My Supra apparently got 181 there.

There you go, fastest car in a straight line AND whisper quiet!

[Marlin]

Oops, double post.

Edited March 4, 2008 by Marlin

[Marlin]

Hey Ben, your mate in the GTR was the fastest car on the straight (by the control tower) at 188kph - faster than those GT3 RS, the blue Porsche was next at 187 and the black/ orange one 185. My Supra apparently got 181 there.

There you go, fastest car in a straight line AND whisper quiet!

He'll be stoked to hear that He was on R compounds so probably had a slight advantage leading onto the straight.

He and you were one of the few to stay flat past the tower, I reckon most were backing off past the meter or getting a little nervous for the kink. lol

Why ya here, do you know of any co-driver/nav that would be keen to tip in some funds to do Targa Tas next month? I'm trying to get it all together..... late changes mean I'm steering..... IF I can fund it.