Melbourne teams thrill fans at Queensland Raceway

Three Melbourne-based teams have thrilled hundreds of fans and members with hot laps around Queensland Raceway.

Tickford Racing, Grove Racing, and Walkinshaw Andretti United held ride days at the Ipswich circuit on Wednesday, for more than 400 thrill-seeking fans.

Sunny but cold weather conditions greeted the teams following a wet setup day on Tuesday.

Cameron Waters, James Courtney, Thomas Randle, and Jake Kostecki all spent time aboard their Mustangs, along with Dunlop Super2 driver Zak Best.

Nick Percat and Chaz Mostert completed around 100 rides for WAU fans, with help from Bathurst 1000 co-drivers Warren Luff and Fabian Coulthard.

Grove Racing duo Lee Holdsworth and David Reynolds completed nearly 200 hot laps across the day.

Super2 young gun Matthew Payne drove team boss Stephen Grove's Porsche Carrera Cup car before jumping in Reynolds' main game car.

While aboard, Payne treated his older sister Emma to her first hot lap in a Supercar.

“It was amazing, it was so cool,” she told Supercars.com.

“It was very slippery out there.

“There’s not much left of the tyres, it’s not very grippy out there but it was such a cool experience, I feel really lucky to go out there with him finally.

“I have a new appreciation for what he does, and the whole physical element of it.

“I knew you had to be fit to be a driver but to go out and do so many laps like that, would be very hard work!”

Local dirt racer Kristy Bonsey also received a high octane fix with the New Zealand racer.

“It’s very different to what I’m used to,” Bonsey said.

“Feeling the grip and the braking was ridiculous, I don’t know how they hang on to it for so many laps!

“The first bit of G-force takes your breath away, and the first time he broke was the most exciting part.”

Each passenger received a video memento of their hot lap, with drivers taking time to sign autographs and take photos while fans were waiting.

The teams now make their trip back to Melbourne, before heading to South Australia.

The 2022 season will resume at the OTR SuperSprint on July 30-31. Purchase your tickets now.