Top Gear Racing Feb 20 @ Lakeside

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Racers and keen spectators.

Round one of the Top Gear Racing Series for 2011 is at Lakeside on Feb 20. This is also the first race meeting of the 2011 Alfa Comp. We don't have our own category for this meeting, so all Alfas will be in the QR Sports and Sedans category. Entry forms are in the usual place on the Qld Raceways website. Any questions, please contact AROCA Comp Secretary Ken Percival - see AROCA Qld website for contact details. Top Gear press release follows. Cheers, Brent


Club level recreational motor racing returns in force to the legendary Lakeside Park circuit with round one of the 2011 Top Gear Racing Series on Sunday, February 20.
Designed as the perfect next step for sprinters and entry to motor racing for weekend warriors, the Top Gear Racing Series provides an excellent spectacle for auto fans with its variety of cars and non-stop action, all for only $10 per person at the gate.
The 2011 series consists of four rounds – three at Lakeside Park (February 20, June 19 and November 6) and one at Queensland Raceway (April 17).
This first round of the Top Gear Racing Series features six categories, with clubmans, saloon cars, production sports, the Excel Cup, the 8 Pot Challenge and the QR sports & sedans group.
Saloon Cars Queensland kick off their 2011 season with round one of the Top Gear Racing Series. Maybe this should be called the "Aussie Family Car" category as it's made up of the modern six cylinder Commodores and Falcons you expect to see in a supermarket car park rather than up on two wheels powering through corners on a race track. The Queensland Saloon Cars always provide a real show with action-packed nose to tail racing.
Commodores and Falcons will also feature heavily in a new growth class, known as the Eight Pot Challenge. This class has been designed specifically for V8 powered Aussie cars of yesteryear. The Eight Pot Challenge made its Top Gear debut in the final TopGear round of 2010 and organisers are confident fans will want to see and hear a lot more of the throaty old bent eights bellowing around Lakeside and Queensland Raceway throughout 2011.



Round one will also see the debut of the new Excel Series – that's right a "cheap as chips" category dedicated to these tough little cars where the action will be both fast and close for the whole race.
"By creating a racing class for the massive selling Hyundai Excels means anyone can get into the excitement of being a racing driver for less than $3000" said John Tetley – CEO of Queensland Raceways. "At long last we have a race category the family man can afford. The big field of these light-weight Koreans will be a sight to behold at Lakeside as they zoom down out of Eastern Loop, side by side for their very first rolling start at this historic circuit."
Much like the HQ and Gemini race categories before them, the key to the Excel Series is entry level motor sport but on an even tighter budget than ever before. Strict modification controls are in place to prevent the "rich man takes all" problem of the other categories.
The Excel's good power to weight ratio but lower top speeds will lead to some desperate manoeuvres with sensational, brake late, chuck it into the corner  sideways racing!
On track action in round one of the 2011 Top Gear Racing Series will kick off at 9am and run through to 4pm. Entry is $10 per person payable at the gate (with children under 12 years free) and don't forget, for those who prefer public transport, Lakeside Park is a short stroll from Dakabin Railway station

Top Gear Racing Series – Round 1
Lakeside Park – Lakeside Rd, Kurwongbah
Sunday February 20, 9am – 4pm
Entry is $10/person, payable at the gate. Children under 12 are free.
Media Enquiries:  MEDIA HAMMER 07 3395 8842 or admin@mediahammer.com.au
Race Enquiries: Queensland Raceways on 07 5461 9100 or neil@qldraceways.com.au
Web: http://www.queenslandraceway.com.au/