Australia's MGCC State Championship Queensland preview

2003 State Championship Motorsport set for blastoff.

The 2003 motor racing season kicks off in earnest at Queensland Raceway on February 15-16, with the first round of the State Championships, being hosted by the MG Car Club of Queensland.

Hard and fast racing will be the order of the weekend, with large fields taking to the track for qualifying and races on Saturday, and a full day's racing on Sunday.

The special guest of the meeting will be the Patron of the MGCC, Dick Johnson, who has been a long time supporter of the club since his formative days in the sport.

Johnson's association dates back to the 1960's, when he competed in MGCC gymkhanas, sprints and hillclimbs in a variety of cars, including his famous EH Holden.

On the track however, after a two and half month Christmas break, the State Championship classes are raring to be let loose on the Queensland Raceway short circuit, which brings more of the action in front of the spectator mounds.

What's more, there will truly be something for everybody on the track, with classes of cars covering every motoring genre.

There will be plenty of panel rubbing action in the Geminis, HQ Holdens and Saloon Cars, while for the open wheel set there will be a thrill-a-minute in the ultra competitive Queensland Racing Car Championship, which features wings and slicks racing cars, combined with crowd favourites Formula Fords.

Formula Vees will also be on the program, as will the Superkarts, who are expected to be the fastest cars on track, setting speeds comparable with V8 Supercars, all from an engine 80cc to 250cc in size.

A wide range of Sports Cars will also add a bit of spice, with everything from ultra-fast purpose built racers and clubmans, to replicas of classics such as GT40s, as well as a wide range of MGs and Mazdas and modern classics.

An even broader array of cars will be in the regularity trials, where many new (and old) competitors to the sport set themselves against the clock, trying to be the most consistent competitor.

Spectators are encouraged to park their cars next to the fence on the back straight and commentary will not only be on the PA, but over local radio station, FM 87.6.

The canteen will be open, and the venue is fully licensed.

In other MGCC news, their famous Mt Cotton hillclimb is currently undergoing major changes for the 2003 season.

A grand reopening will occur on the 15th of March, with the first meeting for the year on Sunday the 16th.

Fast Facts

Location- Queensland Raceway is at the end of Champions Way, Willowbank, adjacent to the Willowbank Drag Strip, and off the Cunningham Highway (just south of the Amberley RAAF Base).

-www.mgccq.org.au