Expression of Interest - Queensland Raceway Happy Laps

[Machine]

Get some popcorn and settle in, because here it comes:

There has been a lot of interest in HL (happy laps) at QR (Queensland Raceway). It had been a regular occurrence until its organiser stepped down several months ago. I'm offering to organise it again, however it would be "Machine-style", hence this EOI (Expression of Interest) post.

I'll start with some background: I was born in 1979...ha! Kidding. Seriously, though, I was. But I'll be brief: I love driving. Always have. I told a story on here once that I drove a Mazda Miata MX-5 at age 18 across the state of Montana in the U.S. for 2 hours straight redlining at 200 km/hour. That story is true. It's also legal, as at that time, Montana had no daytime speed limit. Look it up. Why did I tell you that? Because I love driving. And this is a car forum. And cars don't work without a driver.

I've driven over 600,000 km in my life, in almost every type of condition and in several different vehicles. I recently acquired a car I was able to track: my Golf R. And now I'm in love with track driving. It started with happy laps late last year, thanks to this forum and its members. Now I've pretty much moved on to track days and sprints, with one LP (Lakeside Park) HL coming up in late April.

What's my angle? Well, I take driving seriously. Even though it's called "happy" laps, that doesn't make it any less serious. Motorsport is dangerous and the driver assumes inherent risks. HL is no exception. As an organiser, my goal is to educate, as well as organise. I do not profess to be an expert, nor am I any kind of driving professional. But I will provide advice when it's solicited. And I will base that on my own experience and on the driving training that I've undertaken. I will endeavour to ensure that your car is up to snuff, maintained properly and you have an idea about tyre pressures. Things like that.

So...why all this preamble? Well, I have quite a few ideas about how to run this, which will make it different to what people are used to. If a lot of people agree with it, I'll do it. If a lot of people are opposed, I won't. Simple. Anyone can organise QR HL; I'm just putting my hand up.

Again, QR's goal of happy laps is that everyone goes home with a smile, but more realistically, you can't please all of the people all of the time.

So, here are my proposed "rules":

1. Eligibility: Open to vwwatercooled contributing members only (as drivers). Spectators and passengers welcome. Contributing means at least a few genuine posts. This is a community after all.

2. Registration: I will create a permanent thread that you must check often, which will contain an exact day and time that the actual HL thread will be created. In this way, you will know exactly when to log-in, just like when tickets to an event are made available. When you see the thread in Das Social Club, you can post your intention to participate. First come, first served. I will take suggestions as to the best time of day to post the HL thread. I will also create a dedicated HL email address, because managing the PM inbox will be next to impossible.

3. Numbers: I plan to cycle the different circuits (Sprint, Clubman and National)--one at every HL. Sprint will have a maximum of 20 cars; Clubman 26; and National 35. The reason for cycling is to add variety and provide experience on the different configurations. The reason for low-ish numbers is to avoid traffic jams on the track. My expectation is that some members will move on to sprints and track days. My own motivation to move on came when I was asked to slow down at LP during a wet HL. Days earlier, I had run LP in the wet with a PB of 1:07. I quickly realised that it was time to graduate. If that motivation doesn't come from within, I'll be more than happy to motivate certain individuals to move on For others, they might be more than content to have HL be their be-all and end-all for track work. That's fine. As long as they drive it that way.

4. Training: I'd be be more than happy to take passengers in my car during HL and show them where I put my car on the track. You can also follow me during HL and when you're ready to overtake, just move to the right while on the main straight. I would also encourage everyone to take up some form of in-car instruction from a professional driver at some point. The importance of learning the racing line, regardless of event type, cannot be understated. It is the safest place to be and will always provide more enjoyment than aimlessly wandering around the track. However, training is not a pre-requisite to participating in HL.

5. Price: I'm taking a cut to cover my costs. I was not planning to participate in more HL and QR is 120 km from my house. Fuel cost alone is about $100 (including track time). So I propose the following prices, keeping in mind that QR has a minimum booking fee (based on 30 drivers):
Sprint - $45 (20 drivers)

Clubman - $35 (26 drivers)

National - $30 (35 drivers)

Spectators and passengers having breakfast will only pay $25, directly to QR on the day.
I will ask for payment a week in advance and it's non-refundable. It is transferable, however, to another forum member, if you decide you cannot make it and can have someone take your place (you must take the money from them).
There will be no reserve list. If payment is not made a week in advance, I'll open up the thread again with a post declaring that I'm now taking more orders (you will know exactly when this post is due). Your payment will then be required at the time you post your intention.

6. Be prepared to drive rain or shine. If the track's open, we're open. I'm not saying you have to drive in the wet if your tyres are bald, but what I am saying is: How the hell did you get to the track in the rain on bald tyres?! Instant ban.
Which brings me to my next point: You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle is fit-for-purpose. I will provide a self-scrutineering form that you must sign and give back to me, which says that your car's in good condition. You will also be asked to sign a waiver. I will be taking your real full name, driver licence and plate number. It's still happy just more serious

7. Frequency: I don't know yet. Probably at least once/month. Possible upcoming dates are Sunday 14 April and Sunday 5 May.

8. I think that's about it. If I can think of and/or remember more, I will edit this post. I think I've provided enough for you to make a decision if this is the kind of QR HL you want. I am motivated by safety, good driving and a community-social-camaraderie type feel. I'm hoping to recruit some of the more enthusiastic drivers into sprints and track days, so that we can form another level of vwwatercooled motorsport and represent our brand, while booking the entire track just for ourselves in a more serious fashion, rather than tagging along to someone else's event. I've endeavoured to be fair in my proposal, while facilitating the privilege we have of being able to track our cars on a real race track for very little money.

For info on the general happy laps rules, such as apparel requirements and other miscellaneous things not covered here, please refer to the recent Lakeside Happy Laps threads in Das Social Club. Track time is 30 minutes, preceded by a delicious breakfast, which typically consists of eggs, toast, beans, sausages and bacon. There will be vegetarian options on request. I'm a big proponent of eating less meat.

Is your popcorn finished?

[Ben J]

I'm keen for this. I'd love to ride passenger in your car instead of the other way round and get some more instruction, and put mine on the track when it's back to a track safe condition, in all conditions. if you get the numbers I'd love to partake in the "national" laps

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Tapatalk 2

[h100vw]

I want some of this but not until the Polo is finished in a couple of months. I'll come and observe and maybe do a passenger ride though.

Gavin

[Machine]

Sounds good, Ben J. You've got all the right ideas.

Gavin, no problem

[nat225]

[THE_EGG]

Sounds good. Good to see the self-scrutineering form (thankyou RCCQ hehe). I'd go to the clubman and national circuit events but I don't think I'd go to the sprint circuit events just because it is extra money and my car isn't exactly quick on the straights (not yet at least anyway).

[Machine]

Good on you, Nat!

[Machine]

Rhys, the sprint circuit is the shortest, requiring quickness and agility in the corners. It doesn't require power on the straights. Thanks for your feedback

[THE_EGG]

Rhys, the sprint circuit is the shortest, requiring quickness and agility in the corners. It doesn't require power on the straights. Thanks for your feedback

my bad, I can't remember the name of the one which was basically front and back straights with only turns 1&2 and then a sort of right-left-right chicane made out of the corner at the end of the back straight and corner before the front straight (if that makes any sense what-so-ever). Essentially the driveable sections were just the outside parts of the track. If anyone reading this did the July happy laps at QR last year, well that layout.

[Machine]

Rhys, it's called the Sportsman circuit and rarely used, from my understanding. Is the Sprint price still a deterrent?