V8 rumble rocks lakeside town of Taupō
The excitement was palpable on the streets of Taupō as thousands turned out to welcome the V8 Supercars roadshow to town.
In a first for Supercars, and for Taupō, all 24 Supercars drivers and their cars drove 8.5km from Taupō International Motorsport Park to Te Ātea on Taupō’s lakefront for a meet and greet with fans on the eve of the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400.
Racing is sold out tomorrow and Sunday and accommodation’s almost fully booked too, with some visitors from across the ditch saying they’re “here to see an Aussie win”.
Yesterday’s Track to Town journey through the streets of Taupō included five New Zealand born drivers – Ryan Wood, Jaxon Evans, Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner and Richie Stanaway – who all received a special welcome from locals.
There were also plenty of Australian fans on site, with thousands making the trip across the Tasman to take in the sights of Taupō, as well as the racing in round three of the Repco Supercars Championship.
Australian Supercars fans Debbie and Allan Tennyson had come from Brisbane to watch the racing, but were blown away by Taupō’s scenery and the welcoming nature of locals.
“What a spot this is ... we’ve been walking along the lake edge today and the scenery is mind blowing, I can’t get over how clean the lake is either,” Allan Tennyson said. “Obviously we’re here to see an Aussie win in New Zealand, but whatever happens in the race it won’t stop us having an amazing time here.
“For a small town it’s got a lot going on and the local people could not be more helpful.”
Taupō mayor David Trewavas welcomed all of the teams, visitors, and supporters to the district and was proud of the turnout from locals who seemed to be 100% behind the event.
“This event is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors with around a $6 million boost in economic benefit to the district.”
He said local businesses would receive a welcome boost in trade at the end of the summer tourist season.
Trewavas said he was excited to see Taupō’s hotels, motels, shops, cafés and bars full to the brim.
Racing gets under way today with a range of support classes, with the V8s on track for practice and qualifying before tomorrow’s first 200km race.
Outside of the racing, Kiwi country music star Kaylee Bell and band Six60 perform concerts over the weekend, and Northcroft Reserve is hosting a Dinner at the Lake, offering up gourmet food and local musical talent.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force aerobatic display team the Black Falcons will perform a fly-over tomorrow, with a New Zealand Warbirds Association demonstration on Sunday.
Taupō’s council has also set up a fan zone near the lakefront and will screen the key races over the weekend.