DAD'S ARMY

LAKESIDE PARK’S ALL AUSSIE FATHER’S DAY BASH SAWDADS AND THEIR FAMILIES CELEBRATE ALON GSIDE A BATTALION OF HOMEGROWN CLASSICS

- IAIN CURRY

BACKYARD cricket, lunch down the RSL, a stubby cooler gift and someone – usually Dad – having one too many. Not all Father’s Days have to be this way. Instead, Queenslanders can head to Lakeside Park, north of Brisbane, for a packed day of cruising, eighth-mile drags and spectacular metal on show at the All Aussie Father’s Day, the track’s largest themed day of the year.

The one main rule is that every car involved must be Australian-manufactured. Sure enough, at the 2021 event it was True Blue as far as the eye could see, with willing dads and their offspring arriving in an eclectic mix of motorised Australiana.

Organiser Dan Sharp said the event attracted around 2500 spectators, helped along by it being one of the most family-friendly gatherings on the calendar. “It’s a great opportunity for the whole family to come out – Dad, Mum and the kids – and experience the track and cruise with like-minded people,” he said.

With a 110km/h speed limit and no tyre smoke, drifting or burnouts, this was certainly a more laidback experience than you’d get at the likes of Powercruise.

The participants we spoke to were happy enough about this. “There’s no ego, no idiots and no risk of getting your car damaged by someone doing something stupid,” said Brett Hagley, who had brought along his four kids for the day’s entertainment.

“It’s about being courteous to other drivers, and road rules apply,” organiser Dan said. “You can have passengers in any seat as long as they’re legally allowed to be.”