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QUINN TAKES OVER QUEENSLAND RACEWAY

Tony Quinn took over Australian GT mid-2011 - Photo: InSyde Media

By Dan McCarthy

Triple Eight Race Engineering co-owner Tony Quinn will take over the lease, management and operations of Queensland Raceway.

Auto Action broke the news that Quinn was close to purchasing the circuit in April, with the GT racer now officially taking control of the day-to-day running of the circuit 45 minutes southwest of Brisbane.

This morning current owner John Tetley and Tony Quinn’s signed a pact under which the latter will take over the lease, management and operations of Queensland Raceway.

While Quinn’s focus is on Queensland Raceway, Tatley will focus more on the other Queensland Raceways Pty. Ltd. circuit Lakeside Park.

“What Tony & I have achieved with this pact is a cooperative model so that we can continue to deliver a seamless set of events for our respective customers,” Tetley said.

“Tony can focus on expanding the scope and potential of Queensland Raceway and I can give my attention to securing the future of Lakeside and grassroots motorsport.

“We have moved through COVID and with the support of the two local members, Steven Miles (Deputy Premier) and Shane King (Member for Kurwongbah) along with the new CEO at Moreton Bay Regional Council, Greg Chemello, the future for Lakeside is bright again.

“After recent meetings with those people, and their appreciation of our contribution to the success of the Australian Paralympic cycling team, the Formula Student initiative and club charity days such as the BMW one that raised $10,000 for worthy causes two weeks ago; we now have the confidence to double down on our existing $5M plus investment in Lakeside.”

Queensland Raceway - Image: Supplied

Queensland Raceway – Image: Supplied

Quinn a long-time GT racer is happy to sign the agreement and believes it is the best outcome for everyone involved.

“The way we have set this up everybody will be a winner,” Quinn said. “With my experience and connections, Queensland Raceway will be firmly cemented into the position of South East Queensland’s premier motorsport facility.

“With the Qantas announcements last Friday the world is opening up again and we need to be ready to capitalise on both the tourism and growth opportunities that will bring.

“There is also an enormous Trans-Tasman synergy to be had by sharing the expertise into our Queensland and New Zealand operations.

“Our major contribution for QR will be to bring the experience we have with the premier events and ancillary activities that we have developed in NZ.

“Obviously, there will be some positive changes coming to QR next year. We are working with John on the calendar for 2022 and expect to publish it within the next few weeks.

“You have our commitment that we will meet the expectations of all existing QR customers in 2022.

“It looks to me like everyone is a winner out of the work John and I have put in in the last five months.”

The Racers and Track action operations will be moved into the Lakeside offices in the future.

Queensland Raceway is the most used car racing circuit in the state, as the 3.12km circuit at Willowbank is located only 45 minutes southwest of Brisbane.

It is used by Queensland-based Supercars teams as their local test track, while other local teams from other national categories continually test there.

The circuit was opened in 1999 and is still the second newest perminent circuit built in the nation.

Queensland Raceway hosted its first V8 Supercars round in 1999 and for several seasons hosted the pre-Bathurst 500km race.

Quinn already owns New Zealand’s Hampton Downs and Highlands Motorsport Park and did put in a bid to purchase Taupo Motorsport Park a couple of months ago.

Quinn has motorsport running through his veins, a long-time Australian GT front-runner the New Zealand resident bought a 40 percent stake of Triple Eight Race Engineering earlier in the year.

He also has a deal with Team Sydney, which sees his Local Legends beef jerky company on the side of Garry Jacobson’s Holden Commodore.

Quinn currently owns the pocket rocket Aussie Racing Cars series and formally the GT Championship.

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