Queensland Raceway getting dirty

Queensland Raceway will get a dedicated dirt track under new plans by owner Tony Quinn with an expansion on the horizon.

It would be used for off-road training and potentially for rally runs – as well as hosting fans when, and if, the Brisbane track returns to the Supercars trail.

Quinn, the biggest track owner in Australasia, said it is part of his ongoing improvements to the Brisbane facility.

“We’re looking at it. It will give me something else to do,” Quinn told Auto Action.

“There is a lot on the western boundary. I think it’s about 100 or 150 hectares.

“We could do it behind the back straight, but that would only be small. It kinda makes sense, but it’s not a ‘must-do’. So, if it all works out and the council is sensible …

“You won’t be able to pound round it all day. But you could have a morning out there.

“We’ll listen to what people want, and if it makes sense we’ll try it. And if it works we’ll continue with it.”

Quinn said there is potential to expand the pool for work at QR and rally organisers have also spoken about using any new track.

“We do get enquiries from manufacturers about four-wheel drive stuff. The suggestion is we could use it for that kind of stuff, but when the V8s come we could use it for camping.”

While Quinn is only getting started on the dirt-track idea, he is well advanced on the ongoing upgrades to facilities at QR.

“We are building some more stuff at QR before Christmas. We’re going to built a walkway over the pits, joining the big building with the new spectator terrace,” he said.

“From corporate, you will be able to walk to the next set of garages.”

Quinn said he will continue to expand the new covered benches in the spectator areas, which have brought comfortable seating with shade sails for protection from the sun.

“That’s just a continual thing,” he said.

“I encourage the guys to listen to the customers and, so long as it’s not too whiney, we go and do it.

“That’s the good thing. We don’t have to report to a board or government department. We just go and do it.” 

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