Big race here to stay
SUPERCARS Australia says it is “absolutely committed” to the Townsville 400 despite plans for another race in regional Queensland.
Chief operating officer Shane Howard said all the championship’s events had their own character and feel, and were all very different.
“This would also be the case should Rockhampton come on line in the next few years,” he said.
“Each have large fan bases to support great events.”
Rockhampton Regional Council is planning to bid for a round of the Supercars.
Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow said the council had already had preliminary discussions with Supercars, which it now plans to expedite.
This is the 10th anniversary of the Townsville round, which is from July 6- 8.
Mr Howard said teams, drivers and fans loved going to Townsville.
“It is a very important event for the region and our fans who come from right across Australia, New Zealand and the world to North Queensland,” he said.
“We are absolutely committed to the Townsville 400 and are planning a massive celebration for this year’s 10th anniversary.”
Mr Howard said the Townsville event had been an enormous success for Towns- ville and the region during the past decade
“The numbers speak themselves,” he said.
The chief operating officer said there was a contract in place for the Townsville 400 and extension discussions were ongoing.
“Regional Queensland for is very important to new and existing fans of Supercars, and therefore the sport,” Mr Howard said. “There is an enormous amount of interest from cities and regions in Australia and overseas in hosting a Supercars event.”
In Queensland there are other rounds held much closer than Townsville and Rockhampton – like Ipswich and the Gold Coast.
Earlier this year the entertainment for the Townsville 400 was revealed, with John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite, the Baby Animals and Hoodoo Gurus playing during the weekend.