The excitement surrounding supercars returned to Queensland Raceway (QR) in 2019, marking a significant moment for motorsport enthusiasts in the region.
A Shift in the Racing Calendar
Ipswich lost its fixture despite being the home track for the Queensland-based teams, leaving the Gold Coast and Townsville street races as the only events in the Sunshine State. While QR has long faced criticism for its simple six-turn layout, the venue has undergone a remarkable transformation due to a series of major facility upgrades since its acquisition by Tony Quinn in 2021. Chaz Mostert, who grew up in Browns Plains south of Brisbane and is now based on the Gold Coast, expressed his enthusiasm for the circuit’s return to the calendar and hopes for it to secure a permanent spot. Supercars plans to return to Queensland Raceway in 2026, although it is understood that it is the most likely to lose its slot if a deal is not reached with teams to accommodate 14 events.
Facility Enhancements
“It’s a credit to Quinny and his whole team; any racetrack he gets involved with always takes that next step,” said Mostert regarding the venue ahead of the weekend. “This place looks beautiful, the way he’s upgraded the garages, the support paddocks, the toilets, the facilities, the viewing area on the hill, and the new little grandstand he’s built with shades, trying to look after families, and the cafe… it’s going to be an awesome event.”
Mostert hopes for a record turnout, acknowledging the challenge of surpassing the old records from when the Queensland 500 was held there. “I just want to call out to everyone to bring as many people as you can to QR because we want to keep this event alive and continue showcasing Supercars locally.”
Personal Connections to the Track
Mostert has a special connection to the venue, having scored his maiden Supercars race win at the circuit in 2013 while driving for Dick Johnson Racing. Although that was the only year Mostert drove for a Queensland-based team, the Walkinshaw Andretti United star feels a strong sense of belonging. “I think it’s also the family vibe for me here,” he remarked. “I grew up pretty close to the track, probably within 45 minutes, and I always feel that hometown advantage every time I come here.”
Local Drivers and Their Aspirations
Another driver claiming Ipswich as his home race is Triple Eight’s Will Brown, who hails from and continues to live in nearby Toowoomba. Brown is among the drivers in this year’s field who has yet to make a Supercars Championship start at QR, having been a Super2 driver in 2019. “Every time I’ve ever been here when I was younger, the crowd was massive, so I think it’ll be an awesome turnout, especially after a few years off,” he stated. “I think I bought 52 Sunday tickets. I’ve got a lot of mates coming out on Sunday, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Preparation and Expectations
While private testing has largely been abolished this year in favor of two compulsory full-field days, Triple Eight was able to conduct a test at QR last week with wildcard Zach Bates. Brown and teammate Broc Feeney attended the test alongside the Red Bull Ampol team’s race engineers, aiming to maximize their performance ahead of the race weekend. The reigning champion is eager to turn the tables on Feeney, who has dominated recent events amid Brown’s inconsistent form. “Obviously for us, it is our test track now with Triple Eight, so hopefully we can be quite strong here and have a bit of a bounce back,” Brown added. “I felt like Townsville was a bit stronger on my side; I felt pretty good in the races, so I just need to bounce back a bit here with qualifying.”