Clarkson & Top Gear coming to Morgan Park Warwick Qld

[GTV]

I'd go, but I can't get a hold of old mate that runs it, to determine when the open days are on, and what licence I need. So it went in the too hard basket. Fuck driving for 4 hours to be told "nah mate, not today, you should have rang".

practice is most wed and is usually on the website for the month in advance - you need a cams licence

[Glenno]

Practice days are on the website, if it is raining they won't run practice though.

They do like to complain to the point of kicking you off the track about dropping wheels off, sliding ect

Interesting to see one of the big teams owns a plain white transporter though.

[GTV]

I don't want to be an apologist for everything that goes on at MP, but I am a related party so can comment on some points.

The anti-skidding and corner cutting is due to the accelerated maintenance issues that it causes. The WDSCC runs this facility on the cheap (hence we enjoy lowerfees) but the penalty is the pit facilities aren't as good as some of the larger venues and the track surface is fragile. So while the policing of this policy can be sometimes a bit overzealous, it is because a lot of the users do not respect the impact of their actions and unfortunately, you soon get a lowest common denominator response, even if you only skid a bit or accidently drag some dirt onto the track.

And if you see a big bloke with a white beard, say 'gidday santa' and be nice please.

[tim510]

upgrade the track to take a little more 'abuse' and let the drifto guys throw money at you.

people want to use a track to do what they can't do on the street.

[morerevsm3]

Interesting to see one of the big teams owns a plain white transporter though.

it had V8 supercars signage on the sides

[Glenno]

it had V8 supercars signage on the sides

Yeah can see the sticker in the photo, Supercars made them mandatory for transporters attending events about 8 years ago. Just has no team branding on it.

[clutch-monkey]

Practice days are on the website, if it is raining they won't run practice though.

how come? they never balked at letting us run in the wet before

they did actually have an issue with an ex V8SC car running with the club, some legal thing about not allowed to let them 'test' at MP. even though it was just some random guy with a V8SC car in sprints with us. let him run in the end, was just weird. and obviously not an issue now given clarkson etc is doing the same haha

[Glenno]

I think it's just general practice they wont run wet because they don't want the hassle.

Supercars had to be "de registered" and log booked as something else before you could freely test with them so might have had something to do with that.

[idroppedit]

upgrade the track to take a little more 'abuse' and let the drifto guys throw money at you.

people want to use a track to do what they can't do on the street.

I get your point, but you can't upgrade the tracks just to take the abuse.... Look at QR as a perfect example. Was only recently resurfaced and supposedly upgraded and is already getting rutted etc.

The other point is that the some of race series that run there won't run there if drifters use the track due to the damage that can be caused. Superkarts and bikes for example.

[Glenno]

I get your point, but you can't upgrade the tracks just to take the abuse.... Look at QR as a perfect example. Was only recently resurfaced and supposedly upgraded and is already getting rutted etc.

The other point is that the some of race series that run there won't run there if drifters use the track due to the damage that can be caused. Superkarts and bikes for example.

I find that very hard to believe, and the agument is not about full on drifter fucktards its regular race cars ocasionally sliding.

When a drop off on the apex or exit starts developing because the dirt is getting carried away fill the hole up.

[Nafe]

Winton, Wakefield and Mallala seem to cope fine with a mix of karts, bikes, drift and circuit racing

[GTV]

Its just about managing the track surface so it goes as long as possible between major maintenance. Every year for the last 3? or so it has had a major resurfacing job done over summer (ie cira $100,000 each) just to keep it operational. If it was subjected to greater wear and tear (eg v8supercars, drifting, hi-temp melting rubber burnouts) this would just increase the frequency and cost of this upkeep.

As to maintaining track edges and curbs, that's just about time and volunteers - there are about half a dozen people who do the bulk of the regular maintenance work, all on a voluntary basis. There are a few curbs that need work (a couple of cubes of crete and a weekend would kill it). Every now and again the car clubs who regularly use the track are asked to supply volunteers for working bees (eg there was a good turn out to make tyre bundles for the track extension) but I'm sure the Warwick District Sporting Car Club would also welcome an influx of new members willing to participate on a more regular job roster.

[Billzilla]

Fark I wish I lived closer I'd be glad to help.

[Bob Vegana.]

Interesting to see one of the big teams owns a plain white transporter though.

Belongs to Matt Stone Racing, apparently. Car belongs to V8Supercars.

[GTV]

Fark I wish I lived closer I'd be glad to help.

good place to retire to - less fuckwits than the goldie and a racetrack to play with