Lakeside International Raceway, Motorsport racing track in Kurwongbah, City of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia
Lakeside International Raceway, now Lakeside Park, is a 2.410 km motor racing circuit in Kurwongbah, City of Moreton Bay, Queensland, about 30 km north of Brisbane beside Lake Kurwongbah. Built by volunteers between 1959 and 1960, it has a fast, flowing layout; a photograph shows a red and white car numbered 22 on the grey track, with a white metal guardrail behind.
Lakeside was built between 1959 and 1960 by the Queensland Motor Sporting Club, using volunteers and borrowed machinery, and opened on 19 March 1961. The first international meeting followed in 1962, won by Jack Brabham in a Cooper-Climax. The circuit hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1966 and 1969 and Australian Touring Car Championship rounds from 1964 to 1998. It closed in mid-2001 and reopened on 5 April 2008.
Lakeside was built by volunteers of the Queensland Motor Sporting Club using borrowed machinery, and it became known as the spiritual home of Queensland motorsport. Mick Doohan, five-time 500cc world champion, said that if you can learn to race a motorbike at Lakeside, you can compete at any racetrack in the world.
Arriving early on race days is a good idea, as parking fills up quickly and the best viewing spots along the barriers go fast. Most spectator areas are outdoors, so sunscreen and water are worth bringing, especially during warmer months.
Unlike many modern circuits, Lakeside has kept much of its original 1960s layout, which drivers say makes it feel less forgiving than newer tracks. This older design means the track rewards precision over raw speed, which is part of why many amateur and club racers continue to favor it.
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