V8 impact reverberates year round

THERE’S a heavy dose of excitement in the air around Townsville at the moment.

The preparations for the Townsville 400 are already well under way, with road closures and restrictions being established around the city as organisers set up the racetrack.

Just a week out from the V8 event, racing teams are also bringing their muscled vehicles to town and making any last- minute tweaks and adjustments to get the most out of the performance.

It’s great to see Townsville youngsters and volunteers being given the opportunity to get involved and hone their mechanical skills while helping get the cars and utes ready.

Being part of the racing teams will no doubt be a memorable experience for them.

That lasting impact is just one of the many ways the Townsville 400 has a positive impact on North Queensland, not just over the race weekend but throughout the year.

Economically the thousands of visitors give the city a massive boost.

And with TV screens showcasing the very best Townsville has to offer to hundreds of thousands of viewers throughout Australia, that impact is sure to reverberate throughout the next year.

The excitement and positive morale the race generates is also something that can’t be overlooked.

All across the North right now, race fans and party lovers are gearing up for a great weekend.

Victims must speak up

IT’S sad to see the physical form of Townsville’s dog control problem etched into the fresh scars on young Jayden Collins’ face.

Shocking statistics show there were 472 reports to council of dog attacks in Townsville, with 148 of those on people.

In 187 cases, victims were not willing to assist council with a prosecution.

Perhaps, to overcome the problem and have owners take responsibility for their pets, those 187 need to be encouraged to speak up.