Hundreds flock to free Coates Hire Community Day
Hundreds flocked to the Coates Hire Churchill branch today as part of the annual Coates Hire Community Day ahead of this weekend's V8 Supercars battle at Queensland Raceway.
The Ipswich community took advantage of the rare occasion to get up close and personal with their favourite V8 Supercar stars and enjoy a free sausage sizzle at a public autograph session.
Ipswich fans rubbed shoulders with V8 Supercars' elite, including Jamie Whincup, James Courtney and Garth Tander, before they take to the track for three races of high-octane entertainment at the Coates Hire Ipswich 400.
Walkinshaw Racing's Nick Percat said embracing the local community at the Coates Hire branch was the perfect way to kick-start a weekend of action-packed racing.
"We love coming back to Ipswich, and being able to get up close with the fans at this event before the racing is great," said Percat.
"It's always good to see families out enjoying the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 every year, and it's great we have this chance today to really kick off the event and interact with the locals."
2014 marks the fourth year Coates Hire has been the naming-rights sponsor of the V8 Supercars event at Queensland Raceway.
As Australia's largest equipment hire company, Coates Hire is a proud supporter of the motorsport community, acting as V8 Supercar's official equipment hire sponsor and supplier for the Championship.
Group Manager Marketing Jeremy Hill said supporting the V8 Supercars round at Ipswich was fitting for the company.
"Coates Hire has been a longstanding part of the local community and is proud to be able to support an event that aligns well with our customers and staff. As well as supporting infrastructure, local trade and growth industries in our everyday role as a business, we're excited to be involved in an event that continues to capture the hearts of the people of Queensland," said Hill.
Crowds also saw the V8 Supercars Transporter Parade return to the Ipswich CBD for the second time with the 18-truck contingent putting on specular show as fans lined the streets.
Watching the impressive purpose-build trailers roll into town ahead of a weekend of action-packed racing was a spectacle for the Ipswich fans, said General Manger of Events Phil Shaw.
"Last year was the first time the transporter parade was held in the Ipswich city centre, and the fans loved it," Shaw said.
"It's a great way to showcase the event before it begins, and it really gets the town buzzing and excited for the racing action."
At the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 is this weekend, with kids 14 and under receiving free trackside admission with a paying adult.
The event is certainly a family day out, with kids being able to enjoy all that is on offer at the Disney Fun Zone. Mack the Transporter and Lightning McQueen will both be there, while they can chill out in the B-double trailer and catch the new Disney flick, Planes. Once they've watched that, they can bounce around in the inflatable Planes-themed zone, race down the inflatable Lighting McQueen two-track slide, or test their peddle-power on the World Grand Prix Training Track.
Click here for more information and a detailed schedule of this weekend's action.
