BULLY SOAPBOX

400 WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND AT THE TOWNSVILLE

MARK MARSHALL, 57 KIRWAN

“I would love to see the contract renewed for the Townsville 400 after next year. It’s a really great event for Townsville tourism and it’s become an iconic event for the region. I’ve been coming to this event since the first one was held in 2009, I love the crowds, the atmosphere and the racing is top notch. It would be a shame for it to be held anywhere else but Townsville, the city is made for it.”

RAY HUXLEY, 63 AYR

“The Haughton River bridge, in between Ayr and Townsville, should have been replaced years ago. It’s dangerous to drive on and it’s amazing nobody has flown off the sides yet. There’s no rails, it’s out of date and it’s not safe for motorists. I have been driving along there for 40 years and nothing has been done about it. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

LYNDON CAMM, 47 KIRWAN

“It would be nice to have more entry points into the Townsville 400 event. There needs to be an entrance gate for the public on Woolcock St, otherwise people have to walk about 2- 3km to actually get inside. Overall, this year’s event was a better setup to last year with more access areas.”

SUSAN McQUILLAN, 43 KIRWAN

“There needs to be more job opportunities for young people in Townsville, especially those trying to get an apprenticeship. My daughter got all the training you need to be a mechanic and searched for a job for 12 months before giving it all away because she couldn’t get a job. There needs to be more chances for people like her to get a foot in the door.”