Qld - Racing At Mt Coot-tha - 30-31 May 2009

[lakesideguy]

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

MOTOR RACING RETURNS TO MT COOT-THA

6 May 2009

Brisbane - Priceless historic cars and motorcycles will race up Mt Coot-tha's roads in a once in a lifetime event on May 30 and 31. The Cootha Classic will showcase over eighty years of automotive racing technology with 218 entries ranging from a 1921 Amilcar to a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10.

As part of Brisbane City Council's 150 celebrations the Historic Racing Car Club of Queensland is re-creating Queensland's first recorded motorsport event, which was held at Mt Coot-tha in 1916. As it was known then, One Tree Hill will have a 1.5km circuit along Sir Samuel Griffith Drive and JC Slaughter Falls for the pit paddock.

Event organiser Bill Westerman said,

"Motorsport has always been a part of Brisbane's modern story and we have a truly unique opportunity to make it accessible to the people of the city. It'll be a casual affair and we invite everyone to have a wander around and chat with the drivers and riders."

"It's incredible value, where else can families park in a suburban shopping centre, picnic at the Botanical Gardens and see entertainment all day for less than a trip to the movies?"

Competitors will race the clock as they individually sprint up and down a winding road over looking Brisbane's CBD. Entries include global marques from Datsun to Ferrari and Holden to BMW.

Competitors include multiple Bathurst winner Jim Richards in his Porsche Turbo and South African world motorcycle champion Kork Ballington on a bike raced by Queensland racing legend Gregg Hansford.

Motorcyclists are calling their un-timed demonstration runs a salute to talented Queenslander Gregg Hansford, who tragically died in a racing incident at Phillip Island in 1995. Hansford successfully raced both motorcycles and cars at the highest levels with ten Grand Prix wins for Kawasaki and touring car victories at Sandown and Bathurst. He wears the distinction of being the only man in history to win at Bathurst on a motorcycle and in a car.

Event Secretary for motorcycles Ian Milton said,

"Queensland has had a lot of talented riders achieve a lot of success on the national and international stage, but Gregg was a pioneer and redefined what was possible."

"Incredibly, we will have four of Gregg Hansford's old GP bikes and five examples of a Manx Nortons, the world's most successful GP bike ever!"

Road closures will allow spectators to enter from 3 points and roam the tree lined pits and circuit. Food and drink will be available for purchase, but no alcohol will be sold or allowed in the competition area. Parking will be limited so shuttle buses will be operating - see website (www.coothaclassic.com) for map and more details.

Admission for adults on Saturday or Sunday is $20. Weekend adult pass is $30. Children under 14 years are FREE.

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For more information contact:

Scott Clark

[email protected]

www.coothaclassic.com