Queensland Raceway’s long-awaited resurfacing will commence on October 31 this year – weather permitting.
A new super strong asphalt compound will be used around the entire 3.12km circuit, with repairing of the controversial bumps also taking place. Caretakers of the resurfacing are hoping to correct the ‘asphalt push’ at the heavy braking zones at Turns 1 and 3.
The total cost of the works is $1.2 million.
When the resurfacing begins, the ‘Paperclip’ will be out of action for eight weeks while it cures and builds up to an adequate strength to take the stress of racing cars.
V8 Supercars will not be permitted on the surface until 2012.
“It will take approximately four months for the new surface to achieve 90 percent of its final strength and that is why it is essential that the work to be done at a time when we can reasonably minimise the amount of track activity” said QR CEO, John Tetley.
“This year has proven that the track surface is still in great condition, new lap records have been set by both the V8 Supercars and also the Australian Superbikes.
“The average lifespan of a race track surface is approximately 12 years, as long as there has been relatively little ground movement. QR’s constant preventative maintenance of the surface over the last 12 years has meant that we have a great base to put the new surface on. It is essential that we get the works done now while there is an opportunity to share the load with Lakeside Park. The Lakeside Park business is growing at such a rate we will not have the spare track capacity to offload any of QR’s activities this time next year”.
The only race meeting to be affected is the final round of the Queensland Raceways Drivers Championship scheduled for the 12th-13th November; which will now be held at Lakeside Park on that date.
V8 Supercars will be seen on the old surface one final time on the Wednesday of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 for the international drivers.
