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22/06/2010 Drivers make pit stop in North Queensland ahead of Sucrogen Townsville 400

V8 Supercar drivers James Courtney, Steven Johnson and Fabian Coulthard have enjoyed some well deserved R & R in North Queensland on their way home from a huge weekend of racing in Darwin.

With just 17 days to go to the Sucrogen Townsville 400, the drivers made a pit stop in Townsville to catch a preview of some of the city’s best attractions and take a sneak peek at how preparations are coming together at the Reid Park street circuit.

The drivers sailed to popular tourist spot Magnetic Island with Tropic Sail, got their speed thrills on a jet ski tour of secluded bays with Adrenaline Jet Ski Tours and cuddled the local wildlife at Bungalow Bay in between meeting local school students at Ryan Catholic College and launching an initiative with the Townsville Crocodiles basketball team.

Current Championship Series leader and Jim Beam Racing driver James Courtney said he could sense the excitement was building for the annual event and he could not wait to hit the track in just over two weeks’ time.

“Being here in Townsville brings back really great memories of last year and for us July 9 can’t come quickly enough,” Courtney said.

“It’s a great part of the world and I’ll definitely be coming up a little bit earlier with my wife and kids to take a little bit more of it in.

“Coming out of Darwin with a fourth and fifth place wasn’t the great results we were after. Darwin has been a bit of a bogey track for me in the past and I’ve never really got the most of my weekends there.

“We lost a bit of ground to Jamie (Whincup) in the championship but we’re still leading which gives us a little bit of confidence going into this event.

“I’m really excited about coming back to Townsville and trying to take that trophy home again.”

The Sucrogen Townsville 400 from July 9-11 will feature three days of exhilarating sport and entertainment – combining the best racing in the world with the best entertainment.

International rock legends INXS will headline the Saturday after-race concert.

There will be non-stop racing action on-track including the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Development Series, the V8 Utes, the Formula Ford Championship and the Mini Challenge.

Dozens of off-track activities will be staged including the Showtime FMX Freestyle Motocross, driver autograph sessions, L&H Family Zone, the XXXX Gold Retreat and Merchandise Alley.

This morning in Townsville the drivers launched a partnership with the Townsville Crocodiles National Basketball League team, which will involve holding junior basketball clinics at the event on all three days.

Jim Beam Racing driver Steven Johnson said: “It’s always great coming here, Magnetic Island is fantastic.

“I really loved the Townsville event last year – I think it was done extremely well and it’s only going to improve this year and in years to come.”

Bundaberg Red Racing driver Fabian Coulthard said: “Townsville is a circuit I really like – it’s a track that’s great for the drivers and for the fans as well. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend of racing.”

The temporary event infrastructure build is on schedule, with the majority of grandstand seats now in place and concrete barriers being installed around the circuit.

Kids 12 and under can get free entry to the Sucrogen Townsville 400 with a special V.I.K. (Very Important Kid) Pass. Simply cut out the coupon from the Townsville Bulletin which appears every Tuesday and take it to a Ticketek outlet (Townsville Civic Theatre, Riverway) and exchange it for a free ticket.

Tickets are on sale now and are available through www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849, with a limited number of grandstand seats remaining.

A range of accommodation is still available in Townsville for the event, however bookings are filling fast.

The official Townsville Home Stay Program is in place to help meet demand and all accommodation inquiries should be directed to Barrier Reef Dive Cruise and Travel on 4772 5800.

 

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