LETHAL LEE SETS PACE
THE quickest driver around the city’s streets yesterday wants the Townsville 400 to stay for another 10 years.
The contract for the race ends after this event and the State Government is locked in negotiations to secure its future.
For Lee Holdsworth, who topped the times in yesterday’s practice session, the event has extra meaning. He secured his first-ever pole position in Townsville in 2009.
“I would love to see it come back for another five or 10 years,” he said.
“The people here get massively behind it; they travel from all around the place.
“The locals are awesome and the track is just real challenging, great to race on.
“(It) always provides good racing here, a unique-style street circuit unlike any of the others, so it would be a real shame to lose it.”
A State Government spokesman said a new agreement was under negotiation.
“Our focus is on driving more visitors to Queensland to support jobs in the tourism sector,” he said.
“That is why we supported the V8s in Townsville.”
The spokesman said the Government expected a good return on taxpayers’ investment in any new partnership.
“Events supported by Tourism and Events Queensland are worth over $800 million to the economy directly, supporting jobs in regional Queensland,” he said.
Championship leader Scott Mclaughlin said he would be: “bummed” if Townsville was
dropped from the calendar.
“I love it, it is an awesome track. I think I speak on behalf of most of these guys,” he said.
“The town gets around it, it is an awesome circuit and the presentation of the place is amazing.
“The fans are just awesome and a lot of people come here.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the city council believed the State Government was negotiating to keep the event in the city.
“We are eager to secure the Supercars event moving forward,” she said.
“It’s a big attractor of visitors to the city and a big boost to the economy.
“For residents in the North Queensland region it gives them an opportunity to see a really world-standard car race close to home.”
The fans at the track yesterday were all for keeping the event in Townsville.
Colleen Parnell said the event placed Townsville on the map for motorsports.
“It’s been going on for years, and I’ve been here since; it brings in a lot for the economy,” she said.
“I wouldn’t go anywhere else to watch it in North
Queensland.”
Kasey Gibson said Townsville people were proud to host the Supercars.
“It’s an event that I support every year,” she said.
Michael Lawford said the motorsport event was good for families and the economy as it drew enthusiasts from all around the country.
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said he would not stop advocating for the Townsville 400 in the city.
“We know we need to get certainty in the contracts going forward and we will continue the strong representations to (Tourism) Minister Kate Jones,” he said. “We have a very strong track record of keeping this event in Townsville and that experience shows we can deliver, and deliver a quality event.”
A Supercars spokesman said it was in discussions with the State Government about the contract, which were “positive and ongoing”.