Queensland Raceway nicknamed "the paperclip" is a motor racing circuit located at Willowbank in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The circuit plays host to V8 Supercars, the Australian Superbike Championship, drifting as well as club level racing and ride days. Queensland Raceway is long and wide, running clockwise. There are six corners. The circuit was designed by Tony Slattery with input from car and motorcycle racing authorities including CAMS circuit expert Professor Rod Troutbeck. The circuit is licensed by Australian motorsport's two peak bodies, CAMS Limited and Motorcycling Australia, but generally sanctions its race meeting under the RACERS. It runs its own championship series, the Queensland Racing Drivers Championship. Spectator viewing at the track is excellent with the flat layout of the circuit and spectator mounds. However the flat layout makes racing less exciting for the competitors than undulating circuits like Phillip Island. The track became infamous for its bumps, although the track was re-surfaced late in 2011. Queensland Raceway is located within the bounds of the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct, which is also home to the Willowbank Racewaydragstrip, a kart track, a short dirt circuit and a junior motorcycle speedway. The track is also located near RAAF Base Amberley and shares the base's noise exclusion zone. The track has been known for a number of deaths including club racer Dennis Smith and porsche supercup driver Sean Edwards in 2013. Two further deaths occurred when a 32-year-old driver and 41-year-old passenger were killed in August 2017.
Configurations
There are three Short Circuit variations of the track in addition to the full circuit:
Sportsman
Clubman
Sprint
The National circuit gets the most use for testing purposes and for major motorsport events. The Clubman circuit is also utilised regularly at state and club level racing. The Sprint circuit also in semi-regular use. The Sportsman circuit, originally optimised for truck racing, is now rarely used.
Queensland's favourite motor racing son was honored on 16 August 2001, when the front section of the Queensland Raceway was officially named "Dick Johnson Straight". Johnson, a five-time national champion and three-time Bathurst winner, proudly unveiled a piece of pit-lane wall, which now bears his name and a plaque commemorating the ceremony and Johnson's motor racing achievements. The unveiling was part of the pre-race build-up to the 2001 VIP Petfoods Queensland 500. Johnson was joined by his son Steve during the ceremony as well as a host of V8 Supercar drivers and teams during what was a serious day of testing at the circuit. "It's always a little humbling to be recognised in such a way," said Johnson. "The Queensland Raceway faced some tough times in the beginning, but I think the facility has really founds its feet in the last 12 months and is going from strength to strength. I might not be around in 50 years, but it would be nice to think this track will still be here and that the signing-writing is maintained on this wall." Johnson was one of the driving forces behind the development of the Queensland Raceway and made his last competitive drive in a V8 Supercar in 2000's Queensland 500 with Steve. "I guess the fact that I had my last competitive drive here, makes it a little more special for me," said Johnson. "It's a pity we could not go out with a win last year, but hopefully Steve and his co-driver can make up for that in 10 days time."
Lap records
Future development
A huge accident on 1 May 2010 in a Mini Challenge support race to the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series sparked discussion about the safety of the circuit. However, circuit owner John Tetley insists that the track is still safe. TeamVodafone driver Craig Lowndes suggested that Queensland Raceway is long overdue for upgrades including a resurfacing. Tetley stated that resurfacing would be done in late 2010, although major flooding in the south-east Queensland region early in 2011, and the subsequent lack of availability of necessary equipment as devastated roads are repaired has seen that resurfacing delayed for twelve months. In October 2011 the resurfacing was commenced and completed before Christmas. During July 2016, the Ipswich council announced plans to invest $220 million upgrading Queensland Raceway. The first phase of the project is to extend the length of current circuit.
Willowbank 300
The is held annually at Queensland Raceway and makes up the first part of the Queensland Endurance Championship.
