The 2012 Queensland Raceway Matsuri
Many of you may be thinking that Matsuri is purely about drifting. Well, you would be wrong.
The Queensland Raceway Matsuri, for many, is an escape from every day reality. It is about the struggle between that boring life you live week in week out and the one thing that rips you away from it all. It is about the culture that we all live in, and most of all it is about spending time with your closest of friends.
For myself, and my close friends and fellow members of the Midnight Mechanics Jason Murray and Cassian Finnerty Matsuri was all of these things and more. Across both the 6th and 7th of October, 2012 there was no one thing that concerned us more than the smooth bitumen that we call Queensland Raceway. E!CM
Our Obession With Drift – The Queensland Raceway Matsuri
Matsuri was bright and intense, it was fun and exciting with old friends and new. It was chaotic and still calm with people everywhere doing many different things yet an attitude of cool soaking over the QR paddocks. There was so much going on and despite the 2 day schedule there was so little time. Everywhere you looked there was something happening, mates peeling out of sheds in groups to hit a track in trains, newer drivers easing into things on the skid pan, pro level cars flicking toward short track wall at unfathomable angles and speed. All of this, all the time. We didn’t need 24hrs, we needed 2 weeks to take all this in.
Words: Jason Murray Pictures: Grant Scott Edited: Grant Scott
The Morning Session Experience
Filmed and Edited: Grant Scott Edited: Courtney McColgan
Ever thought about heading to a Queensland Raceway morning session, but struggling to find motivation for the early start? Well, having just come back from last week’s session, I can tell you that it’s so much fun, I’m already planning my next one.
Putting my GoPro to good use, I have created a video of myself and my good buddies Mereki Dawson (Blue ke70), Jason Murray (Red R31), and Nick Rombouts (Green S13) from our most recent track day. Watch it, and you’ll see for yourself what I mean when I say it truly defines the word FUN! Oh, and make sure you click the HD button to get the best viewing quality.
Remember, if you are thinking about getting out there and having a crack at drifting, a Queensland Raceway morning session is an ideal place to start. Now, stop thinking about it and get yourself out there!
E!CM
Tandems!
Filmed and Edited: Cooper Macmillan Edited: Courtney McColgan
I know this post is slightly overdue, but the short track series ended with some spectacular driving that can’t go unmentioned. The drivers were out in full force with plenty of amazing entries and extremely close tandems. This series has been one of the best so far in Queensland for the drifting scene, and I definitely hope for it to pick up again. The atmosphere at these events is super friendly and of course with Mez M.C.ing, the night was even better. Flynn Dowling didn’t participate in the tandems as he had, somewhat unwillingly, entered the competition side, rendering him unable to join in on the tandem fun, but he did very well in the comp…
Queensland Raceway Winter Morning Session | Josh Dobrik
When it comes to seeing the most exciting drift cars in South-East Queensland at one single gathering it’s hard to look past a Queensland Raceway morning session. You need only take one look at perfectly crafted cars like Dylan Salmond’s freshly built s13.4 to spot why there is clearly no exception.
Queensland Raceway Winter Morning Session | Grant Scott
I say it time and time again, but there is something magical about a Queensland Raceway morning session. Without a doubt it is my favorite drifting event in Australia. From the minute I arrive, the perfect mix of crisp winter morning air, with the smell of burnt tire gets my heart racing.
Morgan’s Super Low S14
A bit of a teaser of some coverage that Josh has coming up for you guys in the next few days on Morgan Dowling’s S14.
E!CM
Queensland Raceway Short Track Series | Round 3 | Part 2
Straight back into the coverage of Round 3 of the Queensland Raceway Short Track Series! Flynn Dowling, the owner of this rather amazing Onevia, was on form all night. In my opinion one of the best looking cars in Queensland at the moment. It’s rolling proof that even though setup of a drift car is important, you can still slamm it down hard for maximum style and drive better than everyone else.
Queensland Raceway Short Track Series | Round 3 | Part 1
Well here it is finally guys; photos from the third and final round of the Queensland Raceway Short Track Series. All I can say is WHAT A SERIES! I’m very impressed at how this event was run, the quality of cars and driving on display and also the crowd population. The series easily rates high up as one of my all-time favorite events I have ever seen at Queensland Raceway, and trust me there has been plenty!
You want results? I got them!
ROUND PODIUM:
1st Place – Rob Whyte in the Monster 350z
2nd Place – Flynn Dowling in his rather fabulous Onevia
3rd Place – Kris Klutke who was doing some amazing stuff all night in his S13
EVENT PODIUM:
1st Place – Nick Coulson who has absolutely obliterated the competition and shown that not all drift cars need to be Japanese in his VE ute.
2nd Place – Barry Clark in his black S13
3rd – Todd Waldon (we all know him at TJ) in his white S13
Right, onward to photos!
Buckna’s Badass Bitch
What an awesome series of drift events! The guys at Queensland Raceway have seriously put on an awesome show for us. For now if I only show you one car I want it to be this one; Buckna’s tagged up R33. This car has been at the last two rounds as you can see here, but with a very different livery. Every time this car gets a new paint job it just looks more and more awesome. Well done buddy!
Many more photos and the final results coming in the next few days!
E!CM
Midnight Mechanics | Jason Sherring at Friday night QR
It’s been pretty rare for all of us Midnight Mechanics to make it to a drifting event at the same time, but even if we can’t bring our own cars we do come up to support our fellow team mates. A few Friday nights ago, after a two year hiatus, Jason Sherring brought his 4agte Ae86 up to Queensland Raceway to get some much needed wet weather practice in.
I couldn’t resist getting the GoPro inside the car for a couple of laps to help boost his ego for next time.
Make sure you hit the HD button for maximum awesome.
E!CM
A Rare Sight
Usually after most Morning Sessions at Queensland Raceway there is some sort of practice session on for some other category. Typically it is not something you would stop to look twice at. This week however I was very surprised to see this Ferrari 458 GT3 as well as the Porsche GT3 owned by VIP petfoods Co-Director, Tony Quinn.
Qr Morning Session
This Wednesday just passed as you may already know was another famous monthly Queensland Raceway Morning Session.
Queensland Raceway Morning Session
I didn’t get any photos for you guys today at the Queensland Raceway Morning session as I was way too busy driving, but Josh Dobrik was also present and will have hopefully have some very cool shots coming up for guys in the next few days!
E!CM
