Jim Beam Racing News
The Team embraces The Ville
08 July 2009
There has been a lot of talk about the street circuit up here in Townsville and what the drivers and teams think about it. While many V8 Teams will only get to walk and see the track for the first time tomorrow, there probably hasn’t been enough focus on the people of Townsville and what this city has managed to do in order to get the inaugural Dunlop 400 Race ready.
Coming into the city on Tuesday morning, we were met by media who spoke at length with Steve Johnson and FPR’s Mark Winterbottom. Right from that point, it was abundantly clear that Townsville was about to shift into top gear with what can only be described as its very own V8 festival.
Talking about it on the plane on the way up Dick reminded us that Townsville had originally been ear marked from a V8 race way back in the late 90’s. The original concept had the street circuit flowing through the Strand and out towards what is now the Townsville Entertainment Centre. There is no doubt that planning a street circuit takes time and some 12 years later, this Friday marks the start of a very long journey.
But the focus is not all about the track. Townsville has been a busy centre over the past weeks, and the local business owners are again preparing for an influx of tourists this weekend. In the space of a short amount of time the city has seen a visit from an American warship; power boats on the harbour; and cricket not to mention the regular rounds of the NRL with its own team the Cowboys. Encased around all of these events is the Winter Horse Racing Carnival due to start shortly after the Dunlop 400… Now it may not sound a heavy schedule compared to other cities, but putting into perspective, Townsville has been on high alert for over three months. With a static population of close to 100,000, the city has dealt with every single event with a real sense of enthusiasm and welcome. And the arrival of the V8 Family is no exception.
Everywhere that The Team has been for the past few days we have been welcomed and supported with so much enthusiasm. The city itself is certainly ready for this Event and we should acknowledge not only the people of Townsville, but the City of Townsville and the various local, State and Federal Government departments that have made this happen in conjunction with V8 Supercar Events.
The success of any V8 Round is a combination of things and not one thing in isolation. Businesses around the City Centre have adopted Race Teams for the weekend; restaurant owners are working in conjunction with Sponsors to host events, lunches, appearances and in doing so have really raised the bar. It’s very easy to be complimentary towards the people of Townsville and deservedly so.
Congratulations Townsville and thank you for everything you have done; as of Friday we go Racing and there is little doubt that this will be one of the biggest and best Events for this City.
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