ASTC: 1999 Super Touring Calendar

1997 SUPER TOURING CALENDAR by Mike Porter

NEWS FLASH - 1999 SUPER TOURING CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2: The new Queensland Raceway track currently under construction near Ipswich has been included on the 1999 BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Championship motor racing calendar, which was announced today.

Queensland Raceway, where Super Touring cars are expected to average speeds of 160km/h around the 3.1km layout, will host the seventh and penultimate round on August 1. The track is scheduled to be completed next April and will include 60 permanent garages, and is surrounded by spectator mounds for optimum viewing.

Queensland has been allocated two rounds, with the other at Lakeside Raceway north of Brisbane on April 18. Lakeside has been a championship venue every year since the series began in 1994.

The 1999 championship, sponsored by BOC Gases for a fourth successive year, is over eight rounds (two races per round) and starts and finishes at Sydney s Oran Park. The championship opener on March 14 is on the 1.9km South circuit, and the final is on the 2.6km Grand Prix circuit. Other venues in 1999 are Mallala near Adelaide, Calder Park and Winton in Victoria, and Sydney s Eastern Creek. Each hosted championship rounds in 1998. Queensland Raceway replaces Victorian's Phillip Island track from the 1998 calendar.

Reilly, Chief Executive of championship organisers TOCA Australia, said negotiations for a television package and support events were at an advanced stage and would be announced when finalised. "The racing at Queensland Raceway offers something new and exciting for our teams and supporters, and we re also pleased to continue supporting established circuits, such as Lakeside and Mallala," he said.

"New South Wales is becoming a real Super Touring stronghold and our Sydney fans will be well catered for at Oran Park and Eastern Creek. Our growth patterns will continue next year." Reilly said the fourth round at Mallala on May 30 would be the major meeting of the year for the 2.6km circuit and the date had been carefully chosen to avoid a clash with Australian Football League matches involving the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide. "There are no AFL club matches that weekend because a State of Origin game between South Australia and Victoria will be played in Melbourne on May 29. We expect huge support from the local public at Mallala who will recognise this is an opportunity to ensure South Australia retains a financially viable top-class permanent motorsport complex,"

Australian Promoters Association Chief Executive Officer Mike Raymond said the calendar had the support and approval of his organisation. "Super Touring is going to be seen at major circuits around Australia, and that will enhance the growing crowds," said Raymond.

"The whole show is going to make a fabulous television package."

1999 BOC GASES AUSTRALIAN SUPER TOURING CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

ROUND DATE TRACK STATE

1.  March 14         Oran Park (South Circuit - 1.9km)        New South Wales
2.  April 18         Lakeside                                 Queensland
3.  May 2         Calder Park                                 Victoria
4.  May 30         Mallala                                 South Australia
5.  June 20         Winton                                         Victoria
6.  July 18         Eastern Creek                                 New South Wales
7.  August 1         Queensland Raceway (Ipswich)                 Queensland
8.  August 15        Oran Park (GP Circuit - 2.6km)                 qNew South Wales

NON-CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

1. September 29-October 3 Bathurst 1000, Mount Panorama New South Wales