The drag strip at Surfers Paradise evolved from a motor-racing circuit being built near the Nerang River, in Surfers Paradise, Queensland.
Gold Coast entrepreneur Keith Williams was building a racing circuit, with an airstrip and speedway to follow, however was convinced by a local ski racer that drag racing was to be the next popular motor sport. [1].
After flying out to Riverside Dragway in Melbourne with his associate Bill Pickett and observing the racing there, it was decided to widen the main straight of the Surfers racing circuit to accommodate for drag racing.
Originally due for completion in mid-1966, the construction schedule was pushed forward to April in order to be ready in time for a round of the touring Dragfest.
A successful round of racing kickstarted the venue’s popularity and Surfers Paradise International Raceway eventually grew to host events such as the annual Ampol New Year Series, Tin Top titles, Winternationals and Speed Week.
Due to encroaching housing development, the land was eventually sold and the drag strip was closed by its new owners in September 1987.
Racers quickly diverted to a drag strip built at Willowbank Raceway in 1985, which soon became the home of Queensland drag racing.
1970
See 1970 Surfers Paradise International Raceway photos
Extract from 1970 issue of Australian Hot Rod magazine:
“Bob Hilton now has his blown hemi-powered AA/A running in top form and now suffers another problem… traction. Bob lost out in the second round against Jim Reed, but Bob’s mechanic, Barry Covington tells us the problem may be gone by next week.
Meanwhile, Dave Burnett was putting down John Naggs‘ ‘The Green Dragon’. So it was left to Burnett’s 192-cube ‘Intrepid’ to beat Jim Reed’s 427 Ford. Jim went to 10.48/138.46 to beat the Holden’s 12.21/112.21.“
1971
Extract from 1971 issue of Australian Hot Rod magazine :
“23rd May, 1971
The Altered ranks were thicker, with seven qualifiers for the eliminations. Trevor Thiedeck‘s new Valiant-milled bucket ran 12s at its first attempt, which was a fair enough effort. But it wasn’t enough to shut down ‘The Green Dragon’ of John Naggs which went through for a 11.54 win. For the final Naggs faced up to that ultra quick 289 (injected) T of Cliff Kiss. Cliff has run 10s consistently, but on this run took it easy to record an 11.40/125.69 winning pass. John Naggs’ time was 11.58/114.83.”
1972
See 1972 Surfers Paradise International Raceway photos
Extract from 1972 Issue of Australian Hot Rod magazine:
“Round 3 Ampol Drag Series, 30th January, 1972
The Altered title augured to be a real cliffhanger – until time trials. Then the blower drive in Jim Reed’s 392 Hemi bucket let go. That meant that John Taylor was assured of a win, as nothing else could hold ‘The Crazyman’ and his 331 s/c Chrysler.
But even this wasn’t to be. A rod or two, a piston or two, or maybe a few valves gave up the ghost. Whatever it was it certainly wasn’t fixable on the spot so that was that.
Enter now a new comer to Surfers – the Chaplain Bros’ AA/A Fiat. As yet unpainted the rig seems to be very well put together and runs a blown 377 Chev. First Allan McCullagh‘s quick little 155 T-bucket ‘The Judge’ went down to the Burnett Bros’ ‘Indeavour’ (198 bucket) and Ed Burnett grabbed a bye. John Colthup‘s B/HR 272 street rod is as quick as many altereds, but it met up with the Chaplain’s ‘Goodbye Charlie’ which put it down easily. In the final ‘Indeavour’ staged against the Chaplain machine and again ‘Charlie’ waved goodbye with a strong 13.63 on a very wet strip.”
References
[1] 2016, Street Machine, Surfers Paradise Drag Strip 50th Anniversary (link)
Speedway and Road Race History (link)