Supercars has confirmed today there will be back-to-back weekends of racing in Townsville this month.
As was the case in 2020, Reid Park will host a doubleheader of Australia’s top motorsport category on successive weekends.
The first event, the NTI Townsville 500 will go ahead as scheduled this weekend 9-11 July, followed by a second weekend of door-to-door racing with the WD-40 Townsville SuperSprint to run across 17-18 July.
The NTI Townsville 500 will feature two 250km races and three-days of track action. It will be broadcast live on Foxtel and the Seven Network, streaming on Kayo.
The WD-40 Townsville SuperSprint, will be a two-day, three race SuperSprint, broadcast live and ad free exclusively on Foxtel and streamed on Kayo with highlights on the Seven Network.
Discussions have begun with various categories to appear on the support card at the second event with confirmed details to be released later this week.
The popular Super trucks, Dunlop Super2 Series, Porsche Carrera Cup and Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series will all feature at the NTI Townsville 500.
“Following the success of last year’s inaugural double-header, we know two weeks of racing in Townsville allows us to maximise exposure and competition during these times,” Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said.
“We’d like to thank the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council for again supporting this concept which allows Supercars to race at one of our favourite circuits on back-to-back weekends.
“We’re also pleased to announce that one of our long-standing partners, WD-40 will be our naming rights partner for the new event and we’re grateful to have them back on board.
“Supercars would like to thank drivers, officials, team personnel and their families for their continued support of this year’s Repco Supercars Championship.”
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said it would be an unforgettable event for North Queensland motorsport fans.
“There’s only one thing better than having Supercars in Townsville and that’s a motorsport double-header across two weekends, back-to-back” Mr Stewart said.
“Having two weekends of Supercars shows the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan in action with $20 million for Townsville’s visitor economy.
“Not only does this announcement put North Queensland at the centre of Australia’s motorsport universe, it also supports local jobs.
“This highlights Townsville’s strength as a Supercar destination and the tremendous enthusiasm of local fans. “It’s a vote of confidence from the drivers in our racing circuit.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the NTI Townsville 500 would be a bonus for tourism operators.
“The Supercars double header is a perfect excuse to pack a bag for Townsville and beat the winter chills,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We know events like the NTI Townsville 500 bring tens of thousands of extra visitors to the North.
“That means more business for accommodation and transport providers, restaurants, cafes and tourism operators.
“After the historic State of Origin, Rugby Sevens, the Red’s Trans-Tasman and the Women’s National Basketball League, the two back-to-back weekends of Supercars confirms Townsville’s reputation as the North’s capital of elite sport.”
Mayor Jenny Hill said the addition of the second weekend of Supercars further reinforced Townsville’s reputation as the events capital of northern Australia.
“This is our events season and there is so much happening across the city. Townsville residents and those visiting our beautiful city are spoilt for choice,” Cr Hill said.
“In addition to the second round of exciting Supercars action, next weekend we will have the blockbuster Cowboys home game against the Sydney Roosters, with both events also providing a platform to promote Townsville to audiences across Australia.
“We also have a range of world-class cultural events, such as our North Australia Festival of the Arts and the Australian Concerto & Vocal Competition.
“I would like to thank groups who had booked the Civic Theatre for their willingness to work with Council and to relocate to another venue to allow the Supercars to extend their stay.
“I’d also like to thank the wider community. There is some accommodating by all events and the community with having the Supercars at Reid Park for an extra week and I thank the community for its support and celebration of these events.”
WD-40 Company General Manager Australia, Nick Roberts said the company was proud to again partner with Supercars for the second Townsville SuperSprint event.
“We have had a long and wonderful partnership with Supercars events and teams and we are very excited to be partnering in Townsville.
“We look forward to an exciting weekend of racing at the challenging Townsville street circuit.
“Keep an eye out for the WD-40 Brands iconic blue and yellow cans with the little red top, and our new WD-40 Specialist range.”
Spectators will be permitted to attend both weekends, with corporate facilities open for both events. All fans must always adhere to Government COVID requirements within the circuit precinct.
Tickets for both weekends are available through Ticketek including a special double header offer made exclusively to allow fans to attend both events if purchased prior to 8pm this Saturday. Children under 12 are free with a paying adult.
All ticketing information for both events can be found on Supercars.com and Ticketek.