Supercars are super welcome in Townsville as popular high-octane event returns
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Townsville turned out to honk horns and wave flags to welcome a convoy of big rigs that rolled in early this afternoon.
The parade of trucks was an impressive sight, but the crowd was more interested in their cargo, the race cars that will contest this year’s Supercars event at Reid Park.
The NTI Townsville 500, one of Queensland’s biggest motorsport events, is the seventh round of the 2022 Supercars season, following races in Sydney, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Winton, and Darwin.
Townsville’s Reid Park is the race venue, where road conditions and warm weather will challenge drivers and their cars.
Townsville City Council launches the event on Thursday, with a street party on Flinders Street east that Mayor, Jenny Hill, said is a chance for race fans to meet their favourite drivers.
“This is the best way to kick off a full weekend of racing as Reid Park is taken over and turned into a world-class street circuit for the Townsville 500.
“Council is proud to support events like these which are in line with our commitment to delivering major cultural events in our city, helping to boost our reputation as the arts, sport, and culture capital of northern Australia.”
“It’s always great to see Townsville get together to support major events that travel to our city.”
The Supercars format grew out of a touring car championship, first held in western New South Wales in 1960. Initially, the championship was decided in a single race, but Supercars now decides the title in a series.
The Supercars Championship (formally Australian Touring Car Championship) is now recognised as Australia’s premier motorsport category.
Part of the Supercars appeal is that race vehicles are loosely based on road-going cars, so it’s not such a stretch to imagine the family sedan in race colours, turning heads as it roars down the straight at Reid Park.
Practice laps begin on Friday, ahead of two full days of racing on the weekend.
