(By Basil Lim - Bond University journalism student)
The bicycle track on North Shore park in Varsity Lakes was originally designed to help young children learn how to ride their bikes, however, it has also attracted remote control (RC) car enthusiasts.
Division 11 Councilor Jan Grew said the bicycle track was built last year and cost an estimated $70,000.
Councilor Grew also said the North Shore park track was the only one in the area.
“Parents can take their children there and educate them as to how to use their bicycles and so they have an understanding of the road rules and proper protocols for riding their bike,” she said.
RC car enthusiast and Varsity Lakes resident Mikhail Svrcula said he would often use the track to race his cars when no children were using the facilities.
“I really like using the track to race with my mates or just to practice as the track has some pretty difficult turns and corners, and it is quite wide and long,” he said.
“I actually live just across the park and I sometimes see even young adults set up lamps at night to race their cars.”
Mikhail also said he had encountered many parents and children who were captivated with his cars.
“Parents would ask me how much one would cost after their children pestered them saying I want one too,” he said.
Mikhail also said RC cars range from lower end models that cost around $100 while higher end ones could be in the thousands.
RC car enthusiast Ashley Day said he thought the bicycle track was a good course for RC car enthusiasts to practice on.
“It has got some pretty decent corners that even some professionals may have a hard time speeding round,” he said.
Ashley also said RC car enthusiasts who were interested in joining a league should contact the Gold Coast Showground in Southport for more information.