Queensland Raceway - Saturday, September 20

[m1n130]

Howdy All,

The next Sprint day at Queensland Raceway is Saturday, September the 20th. After my first go at this last Saturday, if anyone in curious about taking their pride and joys for a recreational drive around a track, this is a good place to do it.

There are between 6 and 8 cars on the track at anyone time, generally vehicles with similar specifications and drivers with similar experience. The cars are let go about 5 seconds apart, there is no grid type start with drivers scrambling for the first corner. From my first experience, I was of the opinion that most drivers were out for a bit of fun, and loved their respective machines just as much as we love our MINI's, and didn't want them going home on a tilt tray.

You will need a helmet, and these start from around $85 for a basic sprint day skid lid. You can (and will have to) spend a lot more for a CAMS approved helmet if you intend to go into any CAMS run events, you will also need to spend bucks on a bunch of other odds and sods as well for CAMS events. The track will lend you a helmet if you don't have one.

As was made very very clear, the day is NOT a race. It is a recreational drive where you are timed. You will get booted off the track if you do any heroic dives under brakes on the corners etc. or any other amateur Juan Montoya type moves !

The costs for the day are as follows:

$30.00 - Track License, good for 12 months at QR only.
$40.00 - First 7 laps
$25.00 - Second 7 Laps
Third set of 7 laps are free.

Timings are as follows:

September 20th
11.30 - Sign On
12.00 - Safety Brief
1.00 - On Track, depending on numbers driving

Come along, have a go, or just watch. It was certainly a lot of fun For more information go to www.queenslandraceway.com.au

Catch Ya - Rob

[AussieMini]

If mine's run in I'd say I'll be doing the seven lapper. It'd be great to get all MINIs on the track.

[jasemini]

Don't forget the added cost of extra wear and tear on your vehicle. You will really get stuck into a set of tyres and make a big dent in the wear on your brakes. It's something many people don't even think about until they get off the track and wonder why they've only got another 5,000km's left on their tyres.

[Neeshil]

How does insurance work with these things? I know generally insurance companies don't insure you on tracks, so what are the options?

Are there specialist companies that will provide insurance for the day?

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by Neeshil

How does insurance work with these things? I know generally insurance companies don't insure you on tracks, so what are the options?

Are there specialist companies that will provide insurance for the day?

To the best of my knowledge, just about all insurance policies explicitly exclude track days and race days etc. Shannons do provide cover for CAMS events only, of which Sprint days are not, and to a maximum of a $20k claim (as I understand from reading their blurb) , but you obviously have to be insured with them. I did not see anyone out there offering track insurance or the like either

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by jasemini

Don't forget the added cost of extra wear and tear on your vehicle. You will really get stuck into a set of tyres and make a big dent in the wear on your brakes. It's something many people don't even think about until they get off the track and wonder why they've only got another 5,000km's left on their tyres.

A really good point and something that should be considered before stepping out But equally I would suggest that a strap over the top of Mt. Nebo and down to Ceder Creek would probably result in as much if not more wear on both tyres and brakes, at least the way I do it, does

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by AussieMini

If mine's run in I'd say I'll be doing the seven lapper. It'd be great to get all MINIs on the track.

I think evilmini is hoping for a group of all MINI's as well That's three of us so far ...... five to go

[swamos]

I'll try and get out there, but I may be too busy restoring. If I do have a drive I'll probably take the Elan Don't forget that's the day before the ClubMINI show

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by swamos

If I do have a drive I'll probably take the Elan

Can we all call you "Ron" for the day

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by m1n130

Can we all call you "Ron" for the day

Hopefully you won't be calling out my name

[tm75tm]

If I am not in Coffs fishing I will be there with Bells on.......

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by tm75tm

If I am not in Coffs fishing I will be there with Bells on.......

Tough choice ..... fishing, driving MINI ...... fishing, driving MINI .......

[tm75tm]

and it appers that driving the mini has won!

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by tm75tm

and it appers that driving the mini has won!

Woo Hoo, That's four of us now .... four to go

[kenhenry]

Rob,

Let me know where you got your tyres from, or where I can get some second hand 205/50 16" track tyres with some rubber still on them and you can count me in.