Mount Cotton Test Track Day

Purpose of the Mount Cotton Test Track Day

The aim of the test day is for delegates to witness and experience first-hand a number of activities to either reinforce or challenge a number of the long term held concepts in the technical field of skidding resistance. This is a unique feature of the conference.

About Mount Cotton Training Facilities

Ideally located between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Mount Cotton Training Centre is located in 48 hectares (110 acres) of natural bushland, devoid of any distractions. Only a short drive, 30 minutes, from Brisbane’s International and domestic airports or 35 minutes from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.

Download: How to get to Mount Cotton (PDF)

Managed and owned by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Mount Cotton Training Centre comprises six purpose built driving facilities providing a safe and secure environment to conduct driver education training for a wide range of vehicles. The facilities include a 4WD off road track, Skid Pan, Large Vehicle Manoeuvring Area, Circuit, Motorcycle Manoeuvring Area and Vehicle Manoeuvring Area.

Important Information

Occupational Health and Safety requirements - Delegates arriving on buses will be reminded of basic OH&S requirements shortly before arriving at venue, and once inside the venue.

Delegates are permitted to be passengers in test vehicles, where applicable, but must wear seat belts and obey all reasonable insntructions from the driver.

What to wear -Sturdy, fully covered-in footwear essential.  Comfortable clothing - jeans, casual shirts, rain jacket (depending on the weather).  Sun hat / baseball cap essential.  Water, sunscreen and insect repellent will be provided at the venue.

Activities and demonstrations will include: 

• observing a crash investigation demonstration with an experienced investigator
• undertaking a skills test in visually assessing the speed of various moving vehicles
• being informed about the functionality of braking systems in heavy vehicles and motorcycles
• observing 'skid to stop' straight line braking with a range of vehicles
• observing straight line braking in ABS and non-ABS vehicles, in both wet and dry road conditions
• observing the practical effects of differential friction on straight line braking and cornering, using various cars (new and old, with/without ABS)
• observe mobile test devices in controlled road test environments supplement with hands-on static displays
• observing the use of various items of static test equipment, as well as having an opportunity to ‘talk materials’ with industry experts
• learning about vehicle safety control devices (e.g. ABS, traction control, ESC etc) and the basics of tyre technology to gain an understanding of how these items help save lives, and significantly, what is coming in the future.

The Mount Cotton Track day is proudly supported by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

View further information on the Mount Cotton Training facilities.