Nitephyre Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 (edited) This seriously blows. Here is the email I just received: It is with sad notice that we inform you that the beautiful Darlington Park Raceway at Ormeau has been permanently closed. The commercial decision was forced on the land owners by the constant harrasment of the Gold Coast City Council. The problem was the amount of money to win and the fact that after the win, would we ever enjoy the commerical environment expected. Without this firm future for the track, it is hard to keep the circuit open with the rise of land values for Darlington Park. The track was built by Tony Stephens, who passed away 3 months ago. The pressure of the court case is believed to have played a major role in the heart attack that took his life. Tony's family has decided that their family life and financial returns for land are a major direction. Top Rider had placed over $80,000 in the fight, and had help from course/track day people who helped to keep the track going. We are disappointed in the Council and Government departments. We require a track for people to use and express themselves safely - speed for tracks, and roads for transport. Top Rider realizes the inportance of a circuit like Darlington Park. Thank-you all for your support, please don't give up, because we haven't. - Bernie Hatton. damnit, i was hoping to go there one day. oh well, only the paperclip and carnell left now yeah? Edited August 18, 2005 by NiteP]-[yRe Quote
demuire Posted August 18, 2005 Report Posted August 18, 2005 Morgan Park. Carnell also permanently closed. Quote
demuire Posted August 19, 2005 Report Posted August 19, 2005 Jamie: You should drive QR sometime. In a car that is in "our league" ie under 150hp small car. It's dreadfully boring. I recon it would be fun in a really powerful car or something that was pretty quick, but in anything else... *yawn* Quote
Super Jamie Posted August 19, 2005 Report Posted August 19, 2005 (edited) oh. understood. i wouldn't take my corolla on there, despite my friends' attempts to convince me otherwise, i figured 120k down the straight, when everyone else is hitting 180, would probably have been pretty lame still, i think it would be fun if you got 5 evenly matched cars out there (say a rollaclub track day). but then it's more about the cars and competition, and less about the track Edited August 19, 2005 by Super Jamie Quote
demuire Posted August 19, 2005 Report Posted August 19, 2005 i figured 120k down the straight, when everyone else is hitting 180 Pinky got to about 95km/h down the straight. I was in the "slow" group, and I got lapped by everyone else at least once. Quote
Ke50 Posted August 19, 2005 Report Posted August 19, 2005 it has been closed to racing for a while now. only the driver training companies were using it. lucky the go kart track has been kept open. Quote
99 Posted August 20, 2005 Report Posted August 20, 2005 The paperclip is pretty darned expensive too. I guess Darlington park wasn't cheap, but it was interesting (so glad that I drove there just once) and at least we had a couple of options. Morgan Park is definitely the best by a long shot. Gosh I miss Lakeside too, now this, it's not good. I did hear a rumour, however, that there was possibly a race track going to be developed near Gympie or something? The Darlington Park story is such a sad one. That guy really tried hard to provide a great venue. It's so sad that his dream was ruined. Quote
Nitephyre Posted August 20, 2005 Author Report Posted August 20, 2005 mel: apparently one at Kingaroy is on the cards Quote
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