It’s been over 5 years since Brisbane has seen street sprint racing. Cootha Classic, named after Mount Coot-Tha, a majestic mountain close to the Brisbane CBD set out to be a car enthusiast’s dream day.
The morning started off like any other, typical of Queensland, as a scorcher of a day and would be heating up even more with the sound of engines firing up.
The 1440-metre winding hill climb track built nearly a century ago, starts at the bottom of Coot-Tha’s Scenic Drive and then down onto Sir Samuel Griffith Drive through to the finish.
The line-up consisted of 84 Cars and 5 categories – Street, Modified, Historic, Open Wheeler and Unlimited. Each category would have 4 sprint runs and then a Top 5 shootout.
Walking up from the entry gates I felt excited like many others – eager motoring fans were greeted to some fine modern and classic cars, and the sounds of finely tuned engines was something to behold!
Then continuing up the hill, you would be at the start line, with cars lining up, ready to roar off.
Ready. Set. GO!!
Powering through the bend (Scenic Drive)
Finn’s gorgeous Kouki S14 drift car hit the slope..
Closely followed by Robert Gooley’s time attack Evo!
Midway up Scenic drive, there were more cars on display.
Show off Ya Tints bagged Tiguan
MODE Auto Concepts Liberty Walk M3
After the 2nd runs had been completed, I walked down to pit lane which was based at JC Slaughter Falls. Spectators could get a close up view of the cars and a chat with the drivers, something that can be tricky to do at other motor events.
Hammer’s A45 AMG, driving with fly by wire hand controls.
Open-wheelers waiting to attack – Dallara F3 F301
Dallara Judd – #1 in Open Wheeler Class and #1 Overall with a best time of 42.11 Secs.
Peter Brock’s replica A9X Torana
Cars were heading out for the start of the 3rd runs.
Machine’s Mk6 VW Golf R with an APR GT-250 rear wing, that looked like it was from a Boeing 737 and had one purpose: downforce!
More open-wheeler action
Navigating through the mountainous terrain, I managed to get track side, just a few meters away from the finish line.
Evo picking up some dirt on the way to the finish!
The iconic Audi Quattro S1 sounded absolutely wicked, firing up nearly 500 horsepower from its 5-cylinder power plant.
At the end of the event there was a total of 349 runs and a few mishaps. After an amazing day with spectacular cars, that’s a wrap for the 2015 Cootha Classic. With a display of modern, classic and exotic cars racing around the Cootha streets, it definitely was a hit with spectators and drivers.
Bonus photos
