Discover Ipswich Magazine 2019

Experience the thrill

behind the wheel

Fancy a bit of adrenaline-charged action in your life?

This is served up regularly at the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct which includes Queensland Raceway – home of the V8 Supercars and the Australian Superbike Championships – and Willowbank Raceway , a drag racing strip that hosts local, state and major national events throughout the year. There’s a simple difference between these two tracks – Queensland Raceway is a motor racing circuit with events raced over a series of laps while Willowbank Raceway is a drag strip hosting acceleration tests over the quarter mile. Spectators get up close to the action trackside at both venues but there are ways to really immerse yourself in motorsport here too – perhaps getting behind the wheel of a race ready V8 Holden or Ford, or buckling up for some hot laps with a pro driver around the Queensland Raceway circuit. At the drag strip you can book a place on the start line, ear plugs at the ready, to feel the pounding force feet-up of a pro-slammer taking off. You can even make like a race car driver and test your own every day car at the regular “test and tune” nights at Willowbank Raceway. “It’s a bit of fun and you get the experience of facing the Christmas tree lights and doing what the racing car drivers do,” Willowbank’s Rob Oberg said. “If nothing else, it’s a perfect way to check your speed accuracy – you’ll get it down to the hundredth of a kilometre.” All kinds of vehicles are taken along to the test and tune nights but of course there are major events at the drag strip throughout the year as well, including the biggest drag racing event outside the US, the Winternationals (6–9 June 2019) and New Year’s Thunder every January. “You just get out there and floor it… you experience what the racing car drivers and it’s safe, controlled and legal,” Rob said. Ipswich is also home to the newest premium motocross destination in Queensland, Willowbank MX . This is a recreational ride park for riders of all ages and skill levels with seven different tracks that are regularly groomed and open seven days.

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Find Queensland Raceway at 133 Champions Way, Willowbank. Find Willowbank Raceway at 38 Champions Way, Willowbank. Find Willowbank MX at Corner of Coopers and Lanes road, Ipswich.

OPENING HOURS AND UPCOMING EVENTS Willowbankraceways.com.au

Qldraceways.com.au Willowbankmx.com.au