Near Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) airport, the Tonker Park Raceway & Driver Training Facility is on 25 acres of a reclaimed cattle property with a dirt and tarmac track.
The members of the Whitsunday Sporting Car Club have put a lot of work into building the dirt track (and facilities), from tight bends to open and flowing terrain, so you can test all aspects of your vehicle: braking, acceleration and handling. This is the cheapest form of motorsport available as you can compete in any car. You just have to become a club member, organise a CAMS licence, pay the entry fee and away you go. Gary was taken for a spin in an old Corolla, and I went in a Hyundai. Lap time was about 1 minute 40 seconds and pretty bouncy with no suspension. It was hard to wipe the smile off my face as I was whooshed around the track by Kym, the only female driver.
Both vehicles were bought for about $20 each, and are kept on site ready for each event. Most people have old bangers, but there were a couple of buggies getting around too. It was a fun morning, and made all the more so by the warm welcome we received from club members.
Whilst the dirt track is not suited for our 1990 Mazda RX-7 tarmac rally car, we will take it for a lap around the tarmac track next door at some stage. In the meantime, I wouldn't mind getting myself a $20 car and playing around in the dirt!
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