Lakeside's heritage to bring circuit back to life
14/2/2003 23:38 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Brisbane’s once-doomed Lakeside Raceway could host top-line motorsport again in the future under a world-first plan to have the venue heritage listed.
The historic circuit has been provisionally listed on the Queensland Heritage Council’s register, awaiting final assessment.
The co-ordinator of the Save Lakeside – Friends of Lakeside lobby group, Trevor Beutel, told V8 Wire Lakeside would become the first racing circuit in the world to be fully protected under heritage listing.
The local Pine Rivers Shire Council, which purchased the property for $600,000 last year, would be forced to maintain the track once listed on the register.
The purchase ended 40 years of racing at the circuit, with Council citing excessive noise from racing activities and pollution into the nearby lake.
Council has formally objected to the heritage listing, claiming it does not meet the Heritage Council’s criteria. Their application has extended the assessment period for at least another 60 days.
Mr Beutel said his case for heritage listing was strong.
He argues the circuit has considerable historic significance, having hosted the likes of knighted racing heroes Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham.
Lakeside last hosted the V8 Supercars in a round of the Konica Series championship in 2001, and was once a popular annual stopover on the national touring car circuit.
Financial backers will be sought to resurrect the track for racing if the heritage application is successful.
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