NTI Townsville 500 race week activities launched

Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart visited Reid Park on Tuesday to help launch race week proceedings for the NTI Townsville 500.

On Wednesday, Supercars teams will officially roll into town for the annual Townsville Transporter Parade with 20 B-Doubles taking to the roads for fans from 12:00pm to 1:30pm.

This year’s NTI Townsville 500 will feature three days of on-track action including two 250km Repco Supercars Championship races on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

It will be 'King of the North' Jamie Whincup’s final event as a championship driver in Townsville and he wants to farewell local fans in style. Whincup has amassed 12 race victories in Townsville, more than any other driver in history.

For the first time there will be a Saturday night extravaganza to thrill fans of all ages with displays by some of Australia’s most-powerful drag cars along with the popular Hot Wheels Stunt Team, headed up by the legendary Matt Mingay and performances by the high-flying Airtime FMX Team.

Off track, Aussie rock star and Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson will perform on the Saturday night after The Money Shots, the winner of a brand-new Battle of the Bands competition, takes to the stage to rock the track precinct at the Saturday Night Thrills concert, that will end in a fireworks display.

The event will also feature some of Supercars’ biggest support categories; the Dunlop Super2 Series, Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series, Porsche Carrera Cup and the fan-favourite Stadium Super Trucks.

Construction of circuit is nearing completion for North Queensland’s largest annual sporting event, and the NTI Townsville 500 going ahead as planned.

Supercars’ NTI Townsville 500 Event Manager Sam Pearce, who joined this morning’s media call, said: "We’re thrilled to be here and ready to roll out one of our favourite events on the calendar this weekend.

"We continue to monitor the COVID situation, the good news is we can push ahead with the event as planned, with something exciting for everyone.

"As always Supercars will be monitoring the situation and will adhere to all government COVID requirements as they arise, for now though our focus is putting on a great show here in Townsville."

The NTI Townsville is supported by Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Tickets are now available for the NTI Townsville 500 through Ticketek, for more information on Saturday Night Thrills head to Supercars.com.