Oran Park Raceway is situated in south-western Sydney about 1 hour from the CBD. It was opened in 1962 and was extended in 1970 with the the Grand Prix configuration. Following the extension it has held a round of the Australian Touring Car Championship (now V8 Supercars) every year from 1970 to 2008. It is the longest serving racetrack for the series started in 1960. It is home to 3 motor racing circuits, 2 dirt circuits, 2 four wheel drive training venues and a skid pan area. With all these options it was a favourite for all types of racers from bikers, club motorkhanas, open track days, club kart races and even open drift days. It is such a versatile track rich with history and even a host to international events such as the Superbike World Championships. Sadly it will see its last days eating your rubber in early 2010 after the owners sold it to the NSW Government who have reallocated it to a residential zone.

To learn more about this track I sought out a regular visitor and weekend racer.

With a name like Chris Quick it didn’t take him long to find his calling. Chris is a 27 year old who has grown up in the lush green suburbs of Northern Sydney. Like many of us he has been into cars for as long as he can remember. His dad would often take him to Amaroo Park Raceway in Sydney’s North West. This track was closed in 1998 by the NSW Government, much like Oran Park, to make way for residential zones. There Chris would attend each race to support his dad’s friend in a Lotus Europa. It was these race meets that stuck with Chris and were the driving force, pun intended, for his desire to get into racing himself.

His car history starts with a ’92 Holden VP V6 Executive. After 2 years he swapped that for a VTii Executive that made a respectable 213rwkw. This was his first track car visiting Eastern Creek a number of times in 2003. Things took a turn for the worst that year when Chris sold his VTii for a Mitsubishi Magna Sports. He apologises for this and points out that he has confessed his sins to an Archbishop no less. We’ll forgive him since he made up for it with his next car.

After 6 months of driving the Magna he picked up a ’93 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25t – otherwise affectionately known as a boat. Now, I had one of these cars way back when they were rare on the road and I know I had a lot of fun with it and it appears Chris did much the same. It’s not the ideal track car but a good step in the right direction. The boat remained standard for 6 months at which time it started to pick his pockets. Three years of this continued at the end of which it made 255rwkw and featured in Zoom magazine. Oh and Chris was so broke after this he was often found at Town Hall station begging for change to buy fuel.

Throughout all this Chris had joined Skylines Australia (SAU) and his involvement grew to the level of Vice President for 2 years where he still resides on the board. He is also a member of the Southern Sporting Club where he won his class (2B) in Supersprints in 2009.

His current toy is a ’94 Mazda MX5 NA8 built and log booked as a 2F production car. Some of the mods include a CAMS approved 6 point cage, TEIN Flex coilovers, RDA slotted rotors, complete 2.5″ exhaust, intake, Sparco seat with 6 point harness and other odds and ends. A ’95 Nissan Bluebird daily driver completes his stable.

Let’s see what Chris has to say about Oran Park Raceway, his experiences there and his thoughts on the closure followed by a set of questions I screamed out at him each time he drove past the straight.

It’s sad that Oran Park is closing on many levels. NSW and Australia has lost one of the most challenging race tracks, and enthusiasts have lost a place to race and support their friends and family doing motor sport. I have a sad feeling that more young people may take to street racing as now we only have two race tracks in NSW. The government really needs to look at getting another race track built so it can be used for driver training, encouraging people to learn how to drive safer and better in a controlled environment instead of spending a few million dollars on a street circuit for one weekend a year.

My plans now for the MX5 are keep heading to the track when I can and trying to better my laps and getting faster and faster each time. I plan on doing more grid racing now as that is the next step up from Supersprints. I plan on keeping this car as long as I can, and just to get faster and faster and keep attacking those chicanes for that big rush we get, and the smiles and beers at the end of the day.

Ever since I entered in my first track day with an ex R33 Skyline in 2007 I have been addicted. Oran Park GP is a calm straight with a surge of adrenaline going into the left hand kink. Under the bridge you can hear your car roar as it echoes and you power away. What a feeling. The hard right hander over the blind bridge is just amazing. Turning into the essess and over Suttons you negotiate the ripple strips and then it’s over to the blind flip flop again with harsh ripple strips. Getting those right makes for a fast lap. Get it wrong… well, there’s always the next lap. To finish it off turn 12 has concrete to your right – don’t mess up here! This track certainly demands respect. My favourite part would have to be linking all the corners and chicanes correctly for a fast lap. It just gives you such a buzz!

In my last race with Motor Racing Australia (MRA) I was in the combined sedans class. I was behind a Holden VK 5L race car coming up to the bridge. I knew he would brake on the bridge so I kept on the gas hard and kept a tight line. The VK went out too wide on the exit allowing me to carry a lot more corner speed and pass which gave me his position into the essess. It was amazing!

A great thing about this track is the kink at the end of pit straight. It can be a heart stopping moment. While the MX5 doesn’t have much power I was still hitting around 170km by the end. With just a lift of the throttle and no brakes I turn into the kink. Get back on the gas and then suddenly plant the anchors hard to set up for turn 2. I have had two scary moments there. The first was a Supersprint where I came in too hot and as I got hard on the brakes I realised the steering wheel wasn’t straight. The front left wheel had pinched and locked up resulting in a major flat spot and a cabin filled with tyre smoke.

The next incident was in the trophy race with MRA. I was in the middle of the bunch as we approached the kink and turn two. A Proton GTi was in front of me and locked up sliding into an Alfa. BANG! The Proton had smashed into the left side of the Alfa all within a car length in front of me. I swerved to the right and went off the track digging into kitty litter getting bogged about 15m deep. I barely avoided the crash and it all resulted with a tow and a dead last re-start.

I recall an open day a few years back on the South Circuit in my Skyline. It was an Autosports track day and let me tell you it was bucketing down. Not the best conditions to be driving in but it was a real eye opener for me. It’s a great lesson on how easy a car can slide. I had a moment where I thought I was Beau Yates drifting turn 1 and 2. I went to link turn 3 but carried too much speed and looped it hard. Went off the track sliding on the grass that had turned to mud and the car was filthy for a month!

Racing at the track whether it’s a Supersprint or a grid race makes you that much more aware and prepared on the street. The levels of concentration needed on the track and the prodding of your car’s limits comes in real handy. We all know what some drivers are like out on the roads and honing your driving skills is never a bad thing so get out there and learn while having a blast.

Since getting into club level motor sport I have not only learned heaps but also made some great friends. One is even going to be a groomsman at my upcoming wedding. I’m a part of a couple of car clubs and many car forums. The guys and girls are all very friendly and always willing to lend a hand. Everyone needs to do a track day at least twice in their life! No matter what car, just go out and have fun!

Q&A with Chris Quick

What is your choice of fuel?

Whatever is cheaper! Normally it’s either Vortex 98 or V Power but it really depends on which fuel voucher I have.

What is your choice of tyre?

For street tyres I’m not fussed. I have used Federal 535’s in the past. Good tyre but for the track I use Toyo R888’s. The price is right and they last a good while.

What is your choice of brake pads?

I use QFM A1RM pads.

What mods are next for your MX5?

Next mod is an ECU.

Have you tracked without underpants to save weight?

Hahah. If anything I myself need to lose about 20kgs for a better power to weight! I do wear my lucky red Bonds though…

What are your thoughts on the driver training our kids are receiving in Australia?

Not good enough. In fact, are there any driver training programs out there supported and funded by the government? There really needs to be mandatory driver training for anyone getting a drivers licence in any state. I did two courses in my late ‘teens. I look at people I grew up with who haven’t and I can see the benefits. One day I’d even like to get my Certificate from TAFE for becoming a driver instructor.

Will you be encouraging your children to participate in motor sports either for fun or for driver training?

For sure! I wont pressure them but will try to get them into karting at a young age and I’ll always promote driver safety. Even get them in the drivers seat at a club motorkhana as young as I can.

What is your favourite car related movie?

It’s not quite a car movie but it has a couple of awesome car chase scenes, Ronin with Robert De Niro. Otherwise Fast & Furious (4) is my pick.

What is your favourite driving song?

Too many too list! The MX5 doesnt have a CD player so I usually have my iPod on. However some songs from Pendulum or Metallica’s latest album Death Magnetic.

What is your favourite species of penguin?

Fairy…wait..what?

Now that Oran Park is closing which track will you call home?

Wakefield and Eastern Creek. Hopefully Bathurst one day!

If a homeless guy gave you $163,258 which track car would you buy?

I’d buy him a beer first, then I’d have to go and buy either a race prepped Lotus or Porka. Hopefully have some change left for a car trailer.

Is your fuel tank half full or half empty?

With my driving, always half empty!

Any final words?

Thank you! And keep trying to hit that apex HARD!

A massive thank you to Chris Quick for taking the time to answer my questions and provide some excellent information regarding Oran Park Raceway.

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